Do Bookish Girls Actually Like Author-Created Playlist?
You’re about to start a new book. You settle into your reading spot, your phone is on DND, snacks are within reach, and you’re ready to disappear into a new world for a few hours. Then you flip to the first page and see it — a neatly formatted list of songs titled “Official Playlist.”
Maybe it’s a short soundtrack placed before chapter one, or it’s a list of songs for each chapter, and if the author is really leaning in, there’s a QR code for a full audio experience on Spotify.
You pause for a second. Do you scan it? Ignore it? Commit to listening along the entire way through?
Author-created playlists have become increasingly common in contemporary fiction, particularly in romance, fantasy, and YA. For anyone unfamiliar, they’re curated song lists selected by the author to accompany the book. Sometimes the music expresses a character’s aesthetic, or it’s meant to illustrate the emotional arc of specific scenes. Sometimes it’s positioned as the “official soundtrack” to the story — almost an extension of the narrative itself.
When I read books that include playlists, I’ve always wondered how other readers actually feel about them. So I decided to ask. I wanted to see what other book lovers’ take was on this: do bookish girls actually like author-created playlists? Well, it turns out the answer is complicated — and here’s why.
When Playlists Enhance the Experience
For some readers, playlists genuinely deepen the emotional impact of a story.
Amelia, 21, who reads across physical books, e-books, and audio, told TFGL that she often listens to playlists after reading “to enhance and revisit the emotions.” She’s even rediscovered artists like Taylor Swift and a specific J. Cole track through book soundtracks. For her, music can serve as a bridge into the world the author is building.
Similarly, Tekisha, 45, shared that playlists do aid her reading experience. “It enhances the mood,” she explained, adding that she prefers one cohesive playlist for the entire book rather than chapter-by-chapter lists. Through book playlists, she’s discovered rhythm and blues, jazz, soul, R&B, and hip-hop.
Jo, 26, expressed a similar sentiment, especially within the fantasy genre. They said they “prefer [playlists] to be a bit fantastical to bridge the gap,” and noted that they’ve discovered indie and folk artists through book playlists.
In these cases, playlists aren’t just decorative extras. Sarah, a 28-year-old e-book reader, shared, “I like to see if I know any of the songs on the playlist that I can listen to after I finish reading.” That post-book hangover we all know too well? Music can be used to stretch it out just a little longer.
When Playlists Feel Distracting – or Forced
But not every reader is pressing play.
Ashley, 25, prefers physical books and rarely checks out author playlists. She told TFGL she doesn’t listen to music while reading at all because it’s “too distracting,” especially when lyrics are involved.
Maya, 23, explained some playlists feel “forced or kinda cheesy.” They added, “Sometimes it feels like the book was written to match the songs,” rather than the other way around.
Respondents also touched on the fine line between storytelling and marketing, specifically about where the playlist lives. Ashley explained that context is everything. “I feel like if the author puts them on the website as a separate piece, then it’s marketing,” she said. “But if it’s in the book, I’d say it’s somewhat a part of the story.”
For her, the difference comes down to integration. She added that if an author were to include some of the songs directly within the narrative itself, it would feel more intentional — “more like a storytelling method” rather than an afterthought.
So… Do Bookish Fans Actually Like Them?
It looks like readers don’t universally love or hate author-created playlists. Instead, they evaluate them based on intention and vibes.
Cohesive playlists tend to be preferred over hyper-specific chapter breakdowns; authentic choices matter more than trendy top 100 songs. While some readers actively listen while reading or afterward, others simply skim the list out of curiosity and never hit play.
Interestingly, even readers who said they don’t use playlists admitted they like seeing them included. There’s something appealing about knowing the author had a soundtrack in mind — even if you never press play yourself.
Ultimately, author-created playlists work best as a low-effort way of connecting with readers who are interested. So the next time you open a book and see that Spotify QR code waiting for you, are you going to scan it or turn the page?
