For What It's Worth


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tune in Tuesday

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to share the music we're listening to and maybe discover someone new.

I read Saving June by Hannah Harrington and one of the things I loved about it was the inclusion of three playlists at the back of the book.

One of them is titled "Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum" ("Don't let the bastards grind you down")

In the book June was a girl that seemingly has it all on the outside but ends up committing suicide. Music is prominent throughout the book but it wasn't until after I finished and listened to the playlists that I really saw how the lyrics fit into the story.

Gloomy Sunday by Billie Holiday really hit home with me. Saving June is about the survivors and the aftermath of suicide but the lyrics of Gloomy Sunday allowed me see the story through June's eyes even though she never makes an appearance in the book. And I just love Billie Holiday.


Have I thoroughly depressed you?

OK - Let's switch gears to another song on a different Saving June playlist. Aptly named "Saving June" as her sister and friends drive to California with June's ashes.

ABBA - Take a Chance on Me


13 comments:

  1. I really adored this book. I thought the music elements were nicely done through out. My favorite would have to be the Eric Clapton moment, in the back of the van :)

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  2. I love Abba music and another book with music :) Must check it out LOL

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  3. Mmmm...I never tire of the sound of Billie Holiday's voice..she was a legend. I think I must pick up that book, I love books that include playlists with them

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  4. Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum is in Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale too, if memory serves purpose. And because I'm an abnormal, male teen for my generation, I adore ABBA. I know the entire first verse to that song (the shame)!

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  5. Strange Fruit is my favorite Billie Holiday song. I'm sure that sounds kind of demented, but her voice is so haunting in that song! Great choices.

    Preet
    AWR

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  6. Love both of them! Wow, that Billie Holiday song is so haunting/tragic/beautiful. I'm glad you included the pick-me-up song. :-)

    There is a reason that ABBA is spelled in all caps--their awesomeness muct be writ large. *sings* If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown, take a chance, take a chance, take a chance...

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  7. I really want to get familiar with Billie Holiday's work and see if they appeal to me. I used to love Abba...good dance tunes!

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  8. Oh my word, I love Billie Holiday. She was a goddess, I swear. Can't go wrong with a little Billie, that's for sure!

    Saving June sounds like it would be so sad! I'm so scared to try contemporary books for that very reason... but I'm willing to take a chance on 'em! ;)

    Thanks for yet another spectacular post!
    My Tune in Tuesday pick!

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  9. Not able to listen to/view the Billie Holiday offering, something about copyright but I did enjoy Abba, thanks for sharing.

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  10. Happy Thanksgiving, dear! Lots of great food and family-related merriment to you. :-)

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  11. ABBA!!! HAHAHAHA. "F you, I don't care what you think. ABBA F'in rocks!"

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  12. I stopped by your blog today. Your puppy looks very much like the new puppy my son has - precious.
    Ann

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