When we asked what music you listen to while you read, your suggestions came thundering in. We have now put together a crowdsourced playlist for soothing background music that, according to you, goes well with any read at all. Have a peruse below, pop your headphones in and let us know how it goes.
But lots of you simply cannot even conceive the idea, as this small sample of replies proves:
@GuardianBooks Shome mistkae surely? How can you listen to music *and* read? I'm not being facetious - I'm genuinely curious.
— Mark Thornton (@mostlybooksmark) January 7, 2016
@GuardianBooks @guardian Only the music of worlds weaving in the space between me and the pages.
— Annie Brosnan (@beanie_annie) January 7, 2016
@PublishersWkly Page turning 💕
— Dee (@MGE_Dee) January 7, 2016
@GuardianBooks No music! Both demand (and deserve) your full attention. You cannot indulge one without neglecting the other.
— Connor Cusack (@connor1608) January 6, 2016
@GuardianBooks @Mum_Reader Read AND music? No,no,no! Can't be done
— Sally Hamerton (@HamertonSally) January 6, 2016
@guardian @martabausells Crikey, that's a multi-tasking challenge that I can't manage! I'd be re-reading the same page forever.
— CA (@castittospace) January 6, 2016
@GuardianBooks I preffer the sound of silence and purring of fridge.
— Marek Dobry (@DostDobry) January 7, 2016
However, lots of you did suggest some great tunes to read to – with consensus building around classical music or vocal-light tunes.
@GuardianBooks none? Too distracting! Used to be able to listen to springsteen but can't anymore. Just instrumental stuff now. 4 seasons.
— Emily Morgan (@EV_Morgan182) January 11, 2016
@guardianculture I quite like Beethoven or Bach #reading #music - predictable, but a good pairing nonetheless 🎼📖
— Caroline McCarthy (@ukoptimist) January 6, 2016
“It has to be very low volume – preferably slow jazz that won’t be so visual that I can’t focus on reading” said Sarah. “It has to be classical, but nothing with words or it puts me off,” tweeted Catherine. Many others said they play film soundtracks, which usually combine no lyrics and an epic or soothing feel (especially anything by Hans Zimmer, said Sara).
From Ludovico Einaudi to the Carpenters via the epic instrumental rock of Explosions in the Sky, we’ve mixed all your recommendations in the below two-hour-long Spotify list – let’s see what happens. If you trust your fellow readers, stick your nose into a book, give it a try and let us know how it goes in the comments...
Next week, we’ll talk books that pair perfectly with specific songs and records – you can still add your suggestions here.
