The first novel of 2018 is Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff. I’m not a resolutions kind of girl but I decided this year I want to do more reading, for pleasure not just for my degree. I’ve set a goal on my GoodReads for 50 books. I started with this one.
Each chapter comes with a song title which in one way or another relates to that chapter. Naturally, I created a playlist on Apple Music so I could listen whilst I read. I really enjoyed this experience, the book felt almost interactive with the playlist. I definitely liked this because it was different and out of my comfort zone. Usually with a book I’m usually head in and just letting the book lead the way. Playlist for the dead wasn’t like this, the music accompanied the narrative and it just felt more real. Like you could understand both Sam and Hayden much more than the words on the page.
I started this book knowing full well it was about suicide, so I should have somewhat expected the content. It was difficult getting into, I found myself reading a chapter and then walking away and then coming back until I decided to grit my teeth and read it in one sitting. My best friend was hesitant to recommend me the book, but nonetheless I borrowed her book and read away.
It was hard to read, like not psychically but emotionally. I found myself relating to the main character, and at some parts I even cried and the book has somewhat shifted my thoughts. The book definitely made me feel a rollercoaster of emotions, raw feelings that I’ve been perhaps bottling up a little. The narrative discourse is similar to the Netflix series Thirteen Reasons Why but it’s not as romanticsed, it is shocking and raw.
I don’t know exactly how I feel about the book, it was an interesting read. I feel like I enjoyed it but also feel very overwhelmed at the same like my brain feels fried almost. It’s heavy on content, like I feel emotionally exhausted having just finished reading the book. I think what I like most about the book is, it’s unnerving. You don’t get that sense of relief at the end (at least I didn’t) instead you’re left with thoughts, and questions and empathy.
I feel like it’s a book everyone should read, I discussed the book with my best friend after reading it. Naturally, after I read a book I want to talk about it and discuss it with people and see what they got out of reading the same text I did. And I feel that this is one of those books that effects people differently, it depends solely on your own personal experiences on how you react to the book. Talking to the best friend we both came away with different things, and I think that’s the beauty of reading. Two people can read exactly the same book and yet come away with different thoughts and feelings.
So, I hoped I haven’t given too much away! I like this, reading a book and then writing about it. Kind of reviewing but mainly just expressing my thoughts and feelings about what I’ve been reading.
I think next on my reading like is Louise Pentland’s Wilde Like Me!
Thank you for reading, please comment your thoughts on the book as I am always eager to hear opinions and what not!
- Also do you have any book recommendations for me? I’m open minded, I’m needing plenty of recommendations if I’m going to hit the target of 50!
