Escapism for Bibliophiles

If you find yourself single this Valentine’s Day, cursing the world or yourself or your ex, wishing that you had someone to spoil you and dote on you, you are not alone. So many of us find it difficult to be single on Valentine’s Day and see the day as simply a reminder that we do not find ourselves in happy or fulfilling romantic relationships. But it is important to remember that there are so many other types of fulfilling relationships in our lives.

Aside from friends and family one of my great loves is books, and another is music. So, this Valentine’s Day I thought that I would combine the two, creating the perfect anti-Valentines Day playlist for single bibliophiles to listen to and the perfect fictional books to pair with them. Instead of wallowing in self-pity today turn instead to escapism. Allow yourself to become lost in the stories and romances of each of these books. Take a lesson away from every one, whether that be to be grateful that you are not in a toxic relationship or to appreciate all of the platonic relationships you have in your own life. As you read, listen to the accompanying song to help you focus (rather than on your own life) on the lives of the characters in each book.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Baobabs by Regina Spektor

If you are looking for a simple story to remind you of so many of life’s important lessons - about love or otherwise - look no further than the bite-sized yet deeply philosophical Antoine de Saint-Exupéry tale The Little Prince. This story can teach so much to children and adults alike, and its simple style and intriguing illustrations make it a quick and easy read. Following a pilot who gets stranded in the desert and meets the titular Little Prince, this book is filled to the brim with invaluable life lessons. With a focus on healthy relationship building, as well as friendship, and the importance of individuality this story is simultaneously informative and delightful. Regina Spektor’s song Baobabs (alluding to the Baobab tree that is a significant part of The Little Prince) perfectly embodies the message and tone of the story. Have a listen and let this song and story transport you to the desert to spend some time (and do some learning) with the Pilot and the Little Prince.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

If ever there was a man who could make you forget about any romance in your own life it is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. Perhaps the ultimate romantic hero, there is a reason why Mr Darcy is beloved by so many. Elizabeth Bennet herself is a supremely likeable heroine, with a grit and fierceness of mind that sets her aside from so many female characters of her time. Their slow-burn enemies to lovers romance will captivate you. Whether you are single or taken, the passion between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy will remind you of the type of romance you deserve and encourage you to never settle for less. This tale is truly one reluctant lovers, so the perfect song to accompany this story is Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love. These two characters are actively opposed to the idea of being together at the start of their story, but both of them quickly find that they really can’t help falling in love with each other. Listening to this song this Valentine’s Day will beautifully set the mood for you to devour this book, finding yourself grateful for being single rather than dating any man that isn’t Mr Darcy.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush

Ah, the original toxic relationship. Heathcliff and Cathy are deeply flawed characters, with their only real redeeming qualities being their love for each other. This book is a double-whammy for Valentine’s Day reading. For the more reasonable among us it can be read as a warning tale for the devastation that can be caused by such toxicity, encouraging people to ensure they never find themselves in such a toxic relationship. On the other hand, for the more romantic among us we can’t help but root for these two crazy kids, blaming their misfortunes not on their own actions but on situational factors and the decisions of other characters. We want them to have a happy ending and we become caught up in their romance, escaping as we read into the rainy and windy moors of Yorkshire. Whilst there we can forget our own lives and our own troubles and focus solely on the tumultuous romance of Heathcliff and Cathy. Truly the only song that could be paired with this story is Kate Bush’s iconic Wuthering Heights. This song, written from Cathy’s perspective, will transport you into her frame of mind. It will further allow you to forget your own single woes because you are so invested in her own romance and tragedy.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer – Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron and Wine

Yes, I begrudgingly admit, this story may not necessarily stack up in comparison to these paragons of classic literature. That being said, there is a reason this story has been so wildly popular and successful. Deep down we are all suckers (no pun intended) for a cheesy love story, and Twilight delivers perhaps the cheesiest yet most captivating love story of the modern era. Love them or hate them Bella and Edward (I refuse to acknowledge any Team Jacob opinions here) are a couple for the ages. Never have I been so captivated by a book as my 11-year-old self was with Twilight. In all of the years since, I have strived to recapture the OBSESSION I felt whilst reading this saga, staying up until 4am to finish a book in one sitting. I experienced my first true feeling of grief when Edward left Bella in New Moon, having to skip to the end of the book to check if it turned out ok. I even vividly remember anxiously waiting for Breaking Dawn to be released. I received a text from my Mum whilst I was at a friend’s house that she had managed to get her hands on a copy, and I immediately responded “come pick me up NOW”, telling my friend I felt sick and had to go home. I can truly see no better way to spend Valentine’s Day than with Bella and Edward, chasing the nostalgic high from so many of our youths - or perhaps being lucky enough to be reading this book for the first time. What better song to pair with this story than Flightless Bird, American Mouth which featured in the first Twilight film. This tune alone will immediately transport you into the sparkling-vampire riddled town of Forks, and where would you rather be?

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum – Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland

I would be shocked if you had never seen the film of The Wizard of Oz, but I’m sure there are some of you out there who have not yet read the book. This book is incredibly easy to read as it is really aimed towards children, however, the widely beloved story will draw you completely into the world of Oz. At its core this book is about the importance of appreciating what you have, rather than sitting around believing that the grass is greener on the other side. A Valentine’s Day read of this tale will inspire you to appreciate all of the love that you do have in your life instead of pouting over the fact that you’re single and wishing that you weren’t. One day you may find yourself in a relationship looking back and wishing that you were single again. The perfect song to accompany this read is Judy Garland’s seminal version of Over the Rainbow from the film. This song encapsulates the feeling of wishing for something more that so many of us experience on Valentine’s Day, but the book will remind you why you needn’t be feeling that way.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – Girls Just Wanna Have Some by Chromatics

If you have not yet read Mexican Gothic, do yourself a favour and pick it up immediately. This book enthrals and intrigues you from the very beginning. With a strong and supremely likable yet flawed protagonist and one of the most unusual but adorable love interests I have ever come across – as well as a keep-you-on-your-toes creepy and unpredictable plot - this story will pull you in. If you are looking for a distraction from your own love life (or lack thereof) this book will do the trick by making you simultaneously grateful that you are not in Noemí’s position and wishing that you had her relationship. The creepy twist on Cyndi Lauper’s Girl’s Just Want to Have Fun that is Chromatics' cover version will perfectly get you in the mood to devour this book. The lyrics of this song will also remind you that it is important to have fun, and there are so many ways to do that without being in a relationship. So, pop on Girl’s Just Wanna Have Some and crack open Mexican Gothic this Valentine’s Day, you will not be disappointed.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – Forever Young by Alphaville

If you haven’t heard of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by now you have been living under a rock. This book has taken the world (and tik-tok) by storm since its release. Following the life of Adeline LaRue, a young woman from 18th Century Rural France, who sells her soul to a god in exchange for eternal life and freedom. She is granted this, with the catch of everyone she ever meets forgetting her as soon as she’s out of sight. There is intriguing romance within this book, however, the central theme (and Addie’s initial motivation in making her deal) is one of embracing your autonomous life. Addie is desperate not to simply marry a man in her village and live and die there. She wants to belong to no-one, and is willing to give up everything to achieve this. For obvious reasons Alphaville’s Forever Young is the perfect tune to accompany this book. So, if you’re lamenting the fact that you aren’t happily partnered up this Valentine’s Day, let the beautiful combination of Forever Young and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue allow you to appreciate how lucky you are to have the freedom that your single life affords you.

Please enjoy this unconventional anti-Valentine’s Day playlist and allow yourself to escape into these fictional worlds that I love so much.