Soundtracks for reading

[TheLegend69697]

Does anyone else ever listen to a certain album or type of music while reading? I don't do it everytime I read a book, but there were a couple times I did, and now it seems everytime I hear the music I am totally reminded of the book I was reading. While reading The Dark Tower a few years ago, I would alternate between Dark Side Of The Moon and a mix of classical music. It went very well with the atmosphere of those books.

Just wondering if anyone else ever does this?

[marew1]

I don't. I guess I like solitude when I read. :smile2: Enjoy your music and reading.

[Nero]

I've never really done that either. The few times there was music playing while I read I didn't seem to get as immersed as I usually did.

But I do listen to all kinds of music while I play video games.

[Bango Skank]

I went through a phase where I'd listen to Grace by Jeff Bckley when reading the DT books.

[TheLegend69697]

I don't. I guess I like solitude when I read. :smile2: Enjoy your music and reading.

I know what you mean, seems as I get older I find music a little more distracting when I'm reading. Although I find that classical works good because there is no singing.

[MartinEden]

This is an interesting thread! In On Writing, King stated he listened to music while writing some of his books. Not sure whether he continues that tradition, but it is a great idea. (Does he??)

I listen to a variety of music while reading--it depends on the book and the overall mood of the section/chapter I am reading. What's more interesting, is when the book suddenly coincides exactly with the music, escalating while the suspense in the book begins to build. There is such a great feeling when that happens! It's intoxicating! :grinning:

[Jasonbobdude]

Well, the Benny Hill theme is great for reading excessively violent/scary scenes... You'll imagine everything in a very different way.

Usually, though, if a song is mentioned in the story, I'll find it online and listen to it. One that I remember was "Sympathy for the Devil" in Dreamcatcher.

[Jax]

When I was younger I always had music playing while I read. Now I find it extremely distracting. I need to read in a quiet place by myself or I end up reading the same sentence or paragraph over and over.

[Black Suit]

I thought I was all alone on this but I guess not..

I make certain mix cd's with a whole bunch of smooth songs. everything from Nina Simone, Bach, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, to Brazillian jazz and Miles Davis.. anything soothing.

[MartinEden]

That brings up a great idea: If one were to compile a "soundtrack" mix for a SK book they've read. Songs referenced in the book would be obvious choices, but it would be interesting to see what others people would choose for a particular book.

[JRLauer]

I can't have the TV or the radio on. I need silence when I read. I can focus better that way and visualize the story as I read it.

[fenrislupus]

Tool

[Srbo]

AC/DC & Metallica

[Jojo87]

I can't listen to music when I read. It must be quiet in the place where I read

[Todash]

Nothing. Quiet for me. Sshhh. Do not disturb. Zip it, I say. ZIP. :p

Sorry, I've got this virus and it's making me weird(er than usual).

[bopropadop]

I have to be in the right mood or I get distracted easily. But when the planets align (and I have the house to myself), nothing beats NiN's The Slip.

[LadyHitchhiker]

I like to listen to Simon and Garfunkle when I read the dark tower, or some elton john. I find it fitting.

I also like Jimi Hendrix for reading music.

[tillyn]

When reading , if there was any music on, i wouldn't hear it, I get too absorbed in reading and everything gets tuned out. I do prefer not to have music on while reading. Talk about Kaincidence , i'm on the computer and this is the first time i put on my itunes while on the SKMB site.:biggrin2:

[Draga]

I don't. I guess I like solitude when I read. :smile2: Enjoy your music and reading.

The same here, I use to read after midnight so I can enjoy silence and solitude.

[ladyraven]

i can't listen to music while i read...i guess i am easily distracted:smile2:

[lilredkdn]

I enjoy listening to music while I read, but it has to be an instrumental or classical music. If I hear a song with words that I know then I usually start singing along and completely forget what I'm reading.

[thymeoperator]

i can't concentrate on reading UNLESS i have music playing in my ears to filter out all the outside noise, so i always have songs / albums that make me think of certain books. when i play certain things they will instantly remind me of what i was reading at the time, even if it was 15 years ago. it's usually totally random though, like i don't set out to make a soundtrack that suits the book on purpose - like i was just reading 'IT' over the last 2 weeks and i had on the new pet shop boys album, purely because it had just come out, and then strangely the lyrics and the mood wound up fitting the story (for me, anyway) rather well, and then by pure coincidence when i reached the ending the song that was playing just happened to be one that was all about forgetting a loved one, losing them and forgetting and hard that is - it was so strange! probably another reason why i was crying over the ending. then the next few days i was playing that cd and it made me think of that book far too much, i felt so emotional i had to shut off the cd and i don't think i'm ready to listen to it again for a while.

[Froglady]

I have a very strong memory from the time when I read Salem's Lot. My brother had a thing for Lisa Dalbello back then and the "she" album from 1987. The song Let's Tango really still gives me the chills...

I remember thinking (I was only 14 at the time...) that I would use her songs as soundtrack if I were to make a movie out of this novel. :biggrin2:

[MadamMack]

I know what you mean, seems as I get older I find music a little more distracting when I'm reading. Although I find that classical works good because there is no singing.

Same here . . .I like to really get into the story.

[Brian - Metro]

Not really while reading. But I love to have some cool soundtrack music on when writing. Might I recommend HBO's Rome as a great "ancient" soundtrack.

Also, many of my ideas for the epic battles / confrontations came to me while listening to the 300 soundtrack. I hear that the writers of Wall-e and other Disney flix do the same thing. - Get visual inspiration from music while writing big scenes.

[benbennett]

I find I like peace and quiet these days.

[aptpupil]

I'm not in the habit of listening to music while I read.

However, I do heartily recommend listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" CD while watching "The Wizard Of Oz" on DVD.

It's a serious head trip!

[Sundrop]

I like it as quiet as possible when I read. :)

[devilboy666]

sometimes ill listen to my mp3 player but mostly i find any kind of noise distracting i like it very quiet

[Speedy2]

I find that I like it DEAD silence. (my feeble attempt at humor):eyebrow:

[jacobtlong]

I don't normally like listening to music while I read, but I will listen to some classical music or some light instrumental blues on occasion.

[Kim L.]

I can sit in a crowded room and read--maybe because I grew up in a large noisy family--but loud talking or music distract me to no end. Even classical music, although I can usually read to chamber music if it's quiet. Just prefer silence.

If I'm writing, then crank the music, brew the coffee & get me my chocolate!

[joemama73]

While I'm reading i like to listen to ambient music like the stuff you find at Soma.fm :eyebrow:

[Bryan James]

I don't listen to anything when I'm reading.

Maybe...if I'm not totally into something...I'll have a news channel on (I alternate between them) or maybe The Weather Channel if I'm trying to pick the best day to put down some Weed and Feed. If the TV is on, it's always muted.

When I (try to) write, though....I like noise. Same reason King talks about in 'On Writing.' Pick up a copy if you're interested. Me? I'm looking forward to his next forewarned.

BJS