My 2025 Reading Playlist, Pt. 2

Both of these celebrate the art of storytelling.

This graphic novel is described as “Richard Scarry meets Dexter” so this only seemed appropriate.

Andie is getting tired of living up to the “good girl” stereotype and this song is about no longer saying yes and idk they just seem to fit.

The book talks about how the public school system/justice system tries to keep black girls down so this song is a reminder of their strength and power.

Idk this just felt like the vibe.

This one was a literal title match.

Andie’s good girl persona is gone by the end of this book and this song just seemed fitting.

To be a rebel you gotta stand on business, which is what this song is about.

For me the lyrics match the vibe of this romance.

Both of these are an ode to their respective mothers.

“Tell me you won’t throw it all away/just to see somebody else’s face”

If you’re familiar with these comics, this Lonely Island song seems like something Mouse would listen to.

“Then without a word/he handed me this letter/read “I hope this finds the way into your heart”

“I’m trying to find you in a crowd again/you were there, then you were gone/and now I’m tracing all my steps to you”

Adunni sees getting an education as a way to gain freedom and Jill sings about taking her freedom off of the shelf.

The lyrics to the song don’t quite match what the book is saying, but the vibes were close enough.

If you know anything about Queen Victoria’s daughter, Victoria, you know she was very much her mother’s daughter.

The way that no one was there for these teen girls, same as no one is “home” for the girl in this song.

“With all my heart put me through/it leads me back to you”

Both are about mental health and give off the same vibe.

Ravenna tries hard not to give into temptation but the way Saturnino looks at her makes it really hard…

Getting knocked up by your professor is pretty messy so…

The main character joins a space army and gets more than he bargained for. Also this cover just gives off 80s rock.

“I broke into a million pieces/and I can’t go back/but now I’m seeing all the beauty in the broken glass/the scars are part of me/darkness and harmony”

This cute picture book is about getting a new sibling.

Again, the cover just evokes 80s rock.

This was a vibe choice because they both give off “unsettling”.

A lot of water involved in both of these. Also there’s a scene in the novel where the two MCs are wed and part of the ritual involves a cleansing so this just seemed to fit.

This was a “both titles kinda match” choice.

Sciona may be the only true believer of her religion in this dark academia fantasy novel.

“I’ve got a crush on you/I hope you feel the way that I do/I get a rush when I’m with you/oh I’ve got a crush on you”

The main MC starts to get a little “soft” when she develops feelings for her ogre bodyguard, “blaming” him.

If you’ve read the book, I think you’ll get it. And if you haven’t, just know that it’s a vibe thing.

There’s a lot of songs about fashion so this pick was for my friend Meaghan.

So this is more dad rock but kinda goes with the book since it (the book) is about immigrating to a new planet.

This novel has mermaids and a song/tune that’s very significant so this seemed like a good fit.

These bookish broads refused to be held down.

Both expose America’s hypocrisy and exploitation of Black people.