Written by: Katie Curran
Olivia Rodrigo's music has taken the world by storm, captivating listeners with her raw and emotional lyrics. Each of her songs tells a unique story and resonates with a wide range of emotions. If you're a fan of her music and love to dive into a good book, we've got a treat for you! This week, we're giving you some books that we think fit perfectly with your favorite Olivia songs. Whether you’re heartbroken or empowered, or even confused, we’ve got a book (or two) for you! 📚
"drivers license" - Heartfelt and Emotional:
If you, like we did, felt your soul get crushed by listening to “drivers license,” you will absolutely love Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell or Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney. Eleanor & Park tells the story of two young teenagers, who fall in love despite the odds being against them. Conversations with Friends tells the story of Bobbi and Frances, two best friends, who meet married couple Nick and Melissa, and is a story of both forbidden love and growing up. These stories deal with newfound love, the loss of it, and everything that happens in between. We suggest getting some tissues before you read because these coming-of-age stories will surely bring you to tears. 🥹
"good 4 u" - Angry and Energetic:
“good 4 u” is an energetic song with an empowered yet angry vibe. Describing someone who’s still reeling from their last relationship, the song is all about recovering from the fallout while their ex moves on quickly. If you are someone who relates to that, we think you would love The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas. In this enemies-to-lovers story, Catalina finds herself without a wedding date when her workplace enemy Aaron volunteers himself. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is another novel that has the same angry, passionate energy as "good 4 u." Set during the Trojan War, this book is from the perspective of Patroclus, the lover of the young Greek prince, Achilles as they navigate disapproval from their family, war, and separation. Chaos ensues in these novels and both are perfect for fans of the song. 🤘
"deja vu" - Reflective and Nostalgic:
If you’ve ever had a close friend or significant other, then you will surely relate to “deja vu.” The song reflects on the moments of the singer’s relationship, even calling the ex out for doing the same things with their new partner that they did with Olivia. If you’re someone who is reflective and nostalgic, then you will LOVE People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry or Four Days Of You And Me by Miranda Kenneally. The first tells the story of Poppy and Alex, two college best friends who may or may not want to be something more. The second tells the story of Lulu and Alex, two high school frenemies-to-lovers, on the day of their class trips throughout the years. These books will surely be your new favs if you’re in the mood for a trip down memory lane! 🧡
"traitor" - Betrayal and Resilience:
We all love a good ballad, especially when it helps us get over those feelings of betrayal, and “traitor” does just that! For fans of the song, we suggest either We Were Liars by E. Lockhart or New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. We Were Liars tells the story of Cadence and her family’s journey to their private island, all while she tries to unravel dark family secrets. New Moon, one of the iconic Twilight books, is one of Olivia’s favorites and describes the story from Jacob’s perspective, which definitely puts a sort of “traitor”-esque twist on the whole story. If you are someone that loves a good plot twist or story with complex characters, these are perfect for you! 😱
"brutal" - Contemplative and Coming of Age:
If you’re someone who contemplates everything in your life and your favorite song is “brutal,” then you will absolutely love these two classics! Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a young man who narrates his own life as he ages in post-World War II New York City. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a nineteen-year-old from Boston who suffers a mental breakdown while interning at a magazine in New York City. Much like the lyrics of “brutal,” these books detail how the outside world is not kind to their main characters. However, these are perfect for fans of the song who are also trying to find their place in the world! 🌎
“vampire” - Hurt and Confusion
Olivia’s most recent single has taken the internet by storm, and we have been hooked since the first listen! The hurt and confusion in the lyrics absolutely wrecked us the first time we listened, but it also reminded us of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. It Ends With Us tells the story of Lily and Ryle, and their developing relationship. This book does contain depictions of physical abuse, so we advise you to read at your own discretion. For those who might be triggered, we suggest If We Were Villians by M.L. Rio. This dark academia novel follows the story of seven student actors and best friends whose lives are turned upside down after a dark murder mystery drives a wedge between them, This is perfect for the sinister yet emotional vibes of “vampire,” and we think readers will love it! 🩸
As fans of Olivia Rodrigo's music, we can't deny how impactful her songs have been for us. By pairing your favorite songs of hers with the books we’ve recommended, we hope that you can explore the themes of each and even see the stories in a brand new light. Grab a book, put on your favorite track, and relax as you embark on a rollercoaster of emotions. Happy reading! 💜
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