Friends, I am soooooo pumped up to welcome Leila Sales to Good Books And Good Wine to talk about This Song Will Save Your Life, a book that I absolutely recommend!
The idea for THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE first came to me as two separate, unconnected concepts. One was about a girl who became a secret DJ, sort of a modern-day retelling of PUMP UP THE VOLUME. I envisioned her as someone who was unable to express her feelings through spoken words, who was able to communicate only through playing the right song at the right time. I had this idea in mind for a number of years and nothing ever came of it. It was missing . . . something.
The second idea was about a girl who stages a suicide attempt for attention. You know, that’s so often the critique that’s lodged at teens who cut themselves, or overdose on pills—“Oh, he’s only doing it for attention”—as though that somehow makes the action less legitimate, less worthy of being taken seriously. As though if you just don’t give them the attention they crave, they’ll stop acting out, like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Ultimately this scene, of a girl who hurts herself without really intending to die, became the first two chapters of THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. I looked at what I had written, and I thought there was something there, but I didn’t know what happened next. Where do you go from a half-hearted suicide attempt? Then I remembered my secret DJ concept, and I thought: I wonder if these two things are actually the same story. Here we are a couple years later, and it’s a book.
What saves the protagonist of THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE, ultimately, is not just music, but her love of music, her passion for songs that mean something to her. I think that’s what saves us all—not music necessarily, but our passion for and commitment to something outside of ourselves, be it another person, or a community of people, a political cause, an artistic pursuit, music, or books and stories.
For me personally, music has always been something that I turn to in times of crisis. When I listen to the right song, with just the right lyrics, I am reminded that other people have experienced whatever it is that I’m experiencing. Of course your friends can tell you, for example, “I was hurt, too, when my boyfriend broke up with me.” But that’s not always as helpful as listening to the perfect breakup song.
Every time I discover a new song, or book, or movie that hits me just right, I am reminded that this is why we stick around, and why we keep exploring. Because if you live long enough, you will fall in love over and over again; you will never stop finding new things to fall for.
Thanks so much Leila!!
Check out these resources for more info:
- –Leila Sales is part of the September Fierce Reads Tour with Alexandra Coutts, S.A. Bodeen and Marissa Meyer. The tour schedule is on the Mac Kids blog
- –All Fierce Reads info can be found on this Facebook Fan Page
- –Watch the This Song Will Save Your Life Book Trailer
- –Listen to the TSWSYL playlist
- –Follow Leila Sales on Twitter
- –Become a fan of Leila Sales on Facebook
Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)
- Three Middle Grade Recommendations - May 27, 2025
- Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake | Audiobook Review - May 24, 2025
- You Lucky Dog by Julia London | Audiobook Review - May 22, 2025
This title grabbed my attention immediately – I can’t believe I haven’t heard of the book before now. But it sounds really wonderful – I love that it deals with such amazing themes, sounds like one that might just get the tears flowing! I look forward to checking it out, thanks!
These words: “….Personally, music has always been something that I turn to in times of crisis. When I listen to the right song, with just the right lyrics, I am reminded that other people have experienced whatever it is that I’m experiencing.” totally got me. I’ve been hearing and seeing good reviews of this book from friends on the bookblogosphere (is that even a word? lol). 🙂
Currently my song is “22” by Taylor Swift but it’s pretty easy to get me to dance!
HeeHee, Burning Down the House by Talking Heads. Oh, now you’ve done it, I’m up!
I know it is totally overplayed but I’m still dancing to Blurred Lines!
What isn’t my get up and dance song?! I think I have so many, that I honestly can’t pick one.
The first one that comes to mind would be Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke. I cannot not (oh double negatives) jam to the song when I hear it 🙂
Right now it’s Clarity by Zedd 🙂
Oh my geez. I have heard so many wonderful things about this book and after this post, I really, really want to read it.
I so adored this book!! I have to say I am not really a music person, so I love it when books like this can share the passion for music with me.
I have quite a few songs like that but right now anything by Lindsey Stirling, especially Shadows or Crystallize.
I’ve heard so many amazing things about this book and I’m glad to see you enjoyed it so much!
I love Rhianna!
I love sober by Pink. I love so many of her songs.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I’ve been wanting to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh, I should read the Blog Comment question, huh?! I love the Rocky song! When I was struggling to write my grad school thesis, I would jump out and blast it (“Eye of the Tiger”) and dance around the room to motivate myself.
I love Sweet Nothing by Calvin Harris ft. Florence!
Pretty much anything I can shake my booty to Being a former dance major I can just about dance to anything.
Currently? My get up and dance song is “Wings” by Little Mix. I’ve heard really good reviews about this book so I can’t wait to read it!
I’ve heard of this book many times in many different places, and each time I think it looks more and more good.
I have been obsessed with ‘Fake You Out’ by Twenty One Pilots recently. I can’t help but sing along when it’s playing!
Anything by Lady Gaga.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Okay, this is kinda embarrassing but I love jamming to Want U Back! Haha!
I’d say Icona Pop’s I Don’t Care (I Love It)! 😀
Currently my get up and dance song is Get Lucky by Daft Punk! 😉
I love dancing to anything by David Bowie. Some things never change, even when you grow up. 😉
I Like It Like That by Hot Chelle Ray! I think that’s how you pronounce their name haha. Thanks for the awesome giveaway, by the way!!
My favorite get up and dance song would probably be Just Dance by Lady Gaga or I Don’t Care by Icona Pop.
I actually don’t have a favorite song to dance to. I dance to, like, anything. I’ve been listening to a lot of One Direction and Taylor Swift lately. And Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners. They’re all great to dance to.
Oh my god, and Demi Lovato. I can’t believe I forgot her. I’ve been very into pop-y type things lately. Yes, I felt the need to post another comment just for that. Haaha.
Mhh, I would say Maroon 5. I can jam to any of their songs!