A different kind of book playlist

Cross-posted to Substack.

It’s playlist day! I love this day. Music is such a huge part of my writing experience, and I think having the playlist really rounds out the vibes while you’re reading. So you’re in luck; you can listen to my book playlist below!

But first…

Listen. Ya girl is TIRED. It is May. It is the end of the school year. As of the time you will get this in your inbox, my seniors will have three days left of school. (Yes, they are done really early.) The rest of my students and my children have until May 24. A week or so later, Common Grounds will be in the world. We are dragging ourselves over the finish line here, friends. But we’re going to make it.

This does mean that I haven’t been able to get super creative with coffee lately. I’ve been tossing my cold brew in a tumbler, pumping in whatever flavor is nearest (it’s like a happy roulette, honestly, and always a surprise when I get into the car and take a sip), and getting out the door. I cannot wait to open up my patio, sit outside, and read while drinking my leisurely coffee. Just a few more weeks. Just a few more week. Just. A. Few. More. Weeks.

I generally listen to music while I write. I do this both to set the mood (fun songs for funny moments, passionate songs for steamy moments, emotional songs for the third act breakup… you get the idea) and to drown out the noises from my kids. I can’t concentrate unless it’s either silent (which never happens in my life), or I’m listening to music that I mostly tune out.

For each book I’ve written, I start by gathering vibey songs on a playlist. Usually, I pare the list down to a curated playlist with songs for each character and moment. But Common Grounds is a different kind of book from my others. While I do have certain songs that coordinate with moments and characters, there’s also always soft, acoustic music coming over the speakers in Baker’s Blend Coffee Shop. And, since Baker’s Grove, Indiana and Baker’s Blend Coffee Shop have become their own little universe, I thought it might be fun to just drop my mellow, vibey playlist in here for you to listen to.

There are a couple of Easter eggs in here (let me know if you spot them!), but it’s mostly just mood music to listen to while you read.

So… enjoy!

The biggest update I have for you is that I’m planning to do a HUGE giveaway (for US readers only… sorry!) on Instagram for release day. All you need to do is download Common Grounds on your Kindle or Kindle app (the published version; not your ARC), post a picture in your stories or on your grid ON JUNE 4, and tag me. You can download the book with your Kindle Unlimited subscription or buy it! If you’re going to buy it, I highly suggest pre-ordering your Kindle copy because I just lowered the pre-order price to $2.99. For less than the price of a latte, you can support me and enter this giveaway. Amazing!

I’ll be giving away a shirt, a mug, a signed copy and swag pack, and maybe even a gift card to your local coffee shop. You definitely want to get in on this!

Speaking of mugs and shirts, people keep asking me where they can get them. You can get them on my website! Check it out, and grab yours today!

I’m still on a Fangirl Down hangover, not to mention the end of the school year and gearing up for a release in less than a month (OMG), but I’m reading What’s Left of Me by Hannah Bird and really enjoying it! It’s an emotionally complex, heartbreaking novel (as all Hannah’s books are), and I can’t wait to finish it so I can come back and fully sing its praises.

I hope you enjoy the playlist! Let me know in the comments if you think the playlist vibe matches the book, or if you see any favorite songs on there.

Happy reading (and listening)!