Dear You: Besties

Dear You,
I've always appreciated what good friends we've been and I'm so grateful for you in my life. I was thinking the other day about the kinds of best friends in books that makes me think of you and my first thought was obviously The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares. That's the kind of friend you are and reading those books makes me laugh a bit because I can relate to that group in a lot of ways. It also got me thinking about Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson, another book about a group of friends who learn how to stick together. And these are all the kind of books I think you'd actually read, so I'm glad we have some books in common:)
Well, here's the mix I promised I'd make. I hope you like it. Like those books, I've tried to find music you'll like (since our artistic tastes differ so greatly). Good luck and thanks for everything.
Love,
Anna





What books make you think of great friendships? What music do you want to share with your best friend?

Dear You: Driving Mixtape

Dear You,

Congratulations! You just got your driver’s license. This is a fun and exciting time and your life is about to change quite a bit - if your parents will let you use the car (he he). But in all seriousness, I’m proud of you. It’s really cool that you got to this point and that you’re growing up. And I love seeing that.

I’ve been thinking about some books that might be beneficial to you right now and a couple came to mind. If you’re looking into going on a road trip, try John Green’s Paper Towns - it might convince you it’s time to hit the road. For a more cautionary tale, try Jordan Sonnenblick’s Notes from the Midnight Driver. And definitely stay away from Stephen King’s Christine - that’ll just freak you out. If these books aren’t working for you, that’s okay. I’m attaching some music you should enjoy as you explore your new-found freedom.

Good luck out there.

Love, Anna

On playlists I've made from reading music books

Music history books are fascinating and can teach you not just music history, but interesting new music to investigate. Here are a couple books I’ve read and the playlists I made to introduce me to new music I learned from the books (Note: I didn’t include every song mentioned in each book - just the ones that intrigued me the most):

• Flowers in the Dustbin: The Rise of Rock and Roll, 1947-1977 by James Miller - This book is all about the development of rock ‘n’ roll, so all the music is early rock history and will help give you an understanding of how rock changed over time.

• Your Song Changed My Life: From Jimmy Page to St. Vincent, Smokey Robinson to Hozier, Thirty-Five Beloved Artists on Their Journey and the Music That Inspired It by Bob Boilen - Bob Boilen (from NPR) interviews musicians from many different backgrounds and genres and asks them what song changed their life. The answers are surprising and I learned a lot about musicians I love and the music they love.

What other music history books provide excellent playlists?

Dear You: Under Pressure

Dear You,

You’ve got a lot on your plate. I know that. Everyone’s on your case, asking why you don’t have a girlfriend, asking what you’re going to study, asking why you’re still living at home, asking where you’ll move after graduation, asking if you’re going to keep managing the front desk at the gym forever. Everyone has an idea about what you should be doing with your life - except you. And that can feel like a lot to handle sometimes. I’ve been there - I get it.

I’ve been thinking about what would help you and I’ve decided that you need someone to relate to you and to understand instead of constantly berating you for not having things figured out. I think Greg Gaines from Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews might get it to some extent. He’s trying so hard to fit in, but his mom is pressuring him to befriend this sick girl and then there’s school to keep up on and college to figure out….it’s a lot. And Cath from Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl understands trying to strike out on your own and how lonely and confusing that can be. She’s not much like you, but I think she gets having a tough first year of college and it might be good for the two of you to commiserate together. And I can’t forget Ed Kennedy (I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusack), who desperately wants the girl, but can’t get motivated to make anything happen anywhere in his life - he’s got a dead-end job and a tiny group of friends that he can’t break away from, but that hold him back more than he knows. Sounds a bit like you.

I hope they help you. But either way, I’ve got something else that might be of assistance. Here’s that CD I’ve been promising you for ages. Let me know how everything goes. And good luck.

Love, Anna

On Jean Ferris and 1960's music

My sixth grade teacher pushed Jean Ferris’ Once Upon a Marigold into my hands one day when I didn’t have anything else to read. I finished it in one day and have spent the years since then reading every Jean Ferris book I can get my hands on. Some of her books are better than others - there are a few I can hardly remember and a few that I’ve read several times. I’ve even bought a handful of her books, which is a BIG DEAL for me.

Love Among the Walnuts is one of her books that I own and that I’ve tried to force upon everyone I know. It was wonderful when I read it in seventh grade and I still love it now. I love it so much, in fact, that I decided to make a playlist for it. A 1960’s playlist (plus one song by a 1960’s band that’s making a comeback).

Why the 1960’s specifically? Because I feel like this book could have happened in the 1960’s - it’s a good balance between old world gentility and some new world shenanigans. Also, this book emphasizes the more positive messages of the 1960’s (how important it is to love and be loved, conflict only brings unhappiness, be your strange and quirky self, etc).

Some of the songs on this playlist are more directly related to characters or the plot and some fit the feel of the book better. Enjoy!