The Sound of Madness Reading Challenge is back for the fourth year! For the oldtimers, welcome back! For the newcomers, I hope you’ll have a lot of fun this year trying to fill out these music-based reading prompts as I had a lot of fun coming up with them.
As with previous years, I tried to pick songs that would allow me to include a wide selection of books, leave plenty of space for different interpretations, and not feature two songs by the same artist/band. On the whole, I’m super happy with this year’s results too, and I can’t wait to share them with you all.
The rules are pretty simple: only books read in 2024 count, and you can join the challenge any time, so if you only discover it, say, in August, that’s fine, you can still play! Ideally, you can only use 1 book/prompt, but if you are less of an avid reader, then you can use 1 book for 2 prompts.
My aim with this challenge is just purely to have fun. As I didn’t pressure myself previously to fill it, I won’t do that this year either. I’ll read what I’ll read, then I will try to wiggle them into the prompts. I will also attempt to review as many of the books as I can, but life can happen. I’ll keep an update thread running on Twitter again, will update this post regularly, and I also hope to create a lively channel for The Sound of Madness 2024 on my Discord server (if you are not part of it yet, but would like to join, please give me a shout!). Social media being what it is these days, that’s the best way to keep in touch with me, so please consider jumping on board! In 2024 I also start a monthly newsletter, so if you’d like to stay in the loop, I’d love it if you’d consider signing up HERE!
If you are on Storygraph, then there is The Sound of Madness Reading Challenge 2024 event for you to check your progress! JOIN HERE.
This is where I usually promise to have recommendation posts, but… we all know I would fail at them, so I’ll skip that this year. Please feel free to reach out if you need some ideas, though! I’m always happy to brainstorm.
Once again, everyone is welcome to join the fun. Feel free to shoot me a message so I can send you one of the cards below. Yes, plural, I have two versions this year! One is the usual list of prompts, the other I’ll use for updates, so I could add the book titles and authors under the prompts for better visibility.
All that being said, look at my glorious The Sound of Madness Reading Challenge cards for 2024:
Let’s get a closer look at them, shall we? I will have to let you know that I narrowed down a list of 111 songs to the final 25 and that the order of the prompts was determined by using my amazing panda die set! Not that it matters, but I just wanted to brag about said set.
NOTE: The interpretations for the prompts are my own. You are absolutely welcome to interpret the prompts however you wish! This should be fun and no one will come at you if you cheat a bit here and there 😉
All of the prompts are song titles, so I made a Spotify playlist which I’ll link below for extra fun 🙂 Make sure to check them out as I have a few personal favorites among them!
Anywhere Away from Here
Background: This year there will be quite a few “dunno, picked it up on Spotify somewhere because I liked it so here we go” songs on this list without much of a background story on my part. Anywhere Away from Here is one of those, although it’s the song of Rag’n’Bone Man and P!nk, both of whom I like. Especially P!nk as she is one of my favorite female singers, and I can’t imagine having a card without her name attached to it, so here we are. And I’ll never not love Human and Skin from Rag’n’Bone Man, I mean, come on, if you don’t get goosebumps from those songs, then you should get yourself checked out, is all I’m saying.
What the prompt is about: This song is about people who feel like they don’t belong, so a book with an MC like that would be a great choice. I also think that it could be used for a book with an MC who wants to go on an adventure and wants to leave home. Or don’t want to but are forced to. Alternatively, a book that’s set in a country not of your own can also work. Or by an author who lives in a different country from you. There are quite a few options.
The book I picked: The Market of 100 Fortunes by Marie Brennan
Why: The book is set in a Fantasy version Japan, which is as far away from Hungary as you can be.
Handwritten
Background: I love, love, love this song from The Gaslight Anthem. So much so that I got it tattooed on my arm. Actually, my tattoo says “Handwritten Story” which is on one hand created from two songs I love, Handwritten, and The Story by Fivefold, and on the other hand has a different meaning for me. I believe that you shall be the one writing your own story. It’s something I need to remember every once in a while when things get tough. I think I didn’t put this song on the card until now because I couldn’t quite figure out how it would fit. But I think I got it now.
What the prompt is about: Actually, I think there are some good opportunities here – you can pick a memoir, or a book that’s written in first person, or a book where a letter plays an important part, or the characters exchange notes or letters with each other.
The book I picked: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Why: There are a lot of handwritten notes between the characters, and 2 letters play an important part in Briana and Jacob’s relationship.
Psycho
Background: If you’ve been following this challenge, it might not come as a surprise that once again I’m including a song from one of my all-time favorite bands, Breaking Benjamin. This year I went with one of their newer songs, Psycho from their 2018 album, Ember.
What the prompt is about: For this prompt you can pick a book with a mad villain, a book that’s about a villain’s origin story, a psychological thriller, or a book about a serial killer. Just a few ideas to start with. It could be something asylum themed too!
The book I picked: The Cloisters by Katy Hays
Why: I’m pretty sure at least one of the characters in this book is a psychopath. If not more. Fitting right with this prompt.
Addicted
Background: Oh boy, I don’t even know when was the first time I heard Addicted. Saving Abel is one of those bands I was into in the 2010s. This song is the one I was sure that will get onto this year’s card for a few months now. When I was looking for recommendations for a book with a drunken character, I was berating myself for not picking a prompt that would be easier to fill – say, addiction. This brought Addicted to mind and I knew I had to include it, even though I could have picked a hundred (okay, just a couple) other ones that could work. I like to go with old favorites when I can. The song is about one specific kind of addiction, but hey, the title works so here we go.
What the prompt is about: One of the most straightforward prompts this year. Anything goes that includes some form of addiction. Either the character in a book fighting their own demons, or you being addicted to the characters of a series. Go wild, my friends!
The book I picked: The Bitter Twins by Jen Williams
Why: There are some themes of addictions in this one, like how the Eborans need human blood to stay alive.
The Mystic
Background: In 2023 I started using Spotify a bit more mindfully, actually starting to mark songs I liked so I could get back to them later. So now I have a growing list of liked songs (good news for next year this time when I’ll work on a new card, lol) which I picked up randomly from other playlists Spotify is throwing at me. It’s a nice way to discover new to me bands and songs. The Mystic by Adam Jensen falls in that category. I think he crossed my paths during my spree when I got into Barns Courtney via one of the Country Rocks playlists and I got a lot of similar artists recommended thanks to that.
What the prompt is about: A book with a character who has a connection to the other world could work, a character who has mysterious powers, someone the community misunderstands for their mysterious ways, or a religious leader who communicates with gods. A book that has some occult elements could also be a good fit.
The book I picked: A Matter of Execution by Nicholas & Olivia Atwater
Why: Wil and his crew pick up a man while running away, who turns out to be quite mysterious.
Queen of Kings
Background: I think this was my favorite song in the 2023 Eurovision. Actually, this is the only song I’m still listening to as I put it on my Spotify playlist. And that’s a good thing I did because it was a no-brainer that Queen of Kings by Alessandra should be on the card for 2024.
What the prompt is about: Anything goes that has royals in it. Especially if the queen is a prominent character. If you want to flatter me, you can pick one of the books I appeared in as a side character 😉
The book I picked: Arthur by Giles Kristian
Why: Look, I know it’s supposed to be something about a queen, but… come on, Arthur is the ultimate king and there are royals featured in this one, so I think it fits.
Accidentally in Love
Background: This song by Counting Crows is an old favorite of mine. And if it sounds familiar, it’s because it was one of the theme songs for Shrek 2. And as I just learned, it was written specifically for that movie. Huh. Anyway, it’s a good one and I like it, so whatever.
What the prompt is about: Each year I have a prompt for love, so this year this is it! All types of love is game, there are no restrictions. If two characters love each other then it fits. But if romance is not your thing, you can pick a book you didn’t expect to fall in love with.
The book I picked: Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Why: M/M romance. ‘Nuff said.
White Flag
Background: Normandie‘s song is also one of the mysterious ones I happened to find on my liked songs playlist. I’ve no complaints though, because I have good taste, so there.
What the prompt is about: I wanted to include something with a color, so there we go. A book with a title including the word “white”, or a book with a cover that’s dominantly white are all good choices. But since our prompt is a white flag, it can be a book about peace of some sorts – the book could end with peace, or it could be set in an ongoing war about peacetime, etc. It can be about a character making peace with themselves by the end, self-discovery, and all that.
The book I picked: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Why: I decided on this one, because it’s an enemies-to-lovers M/M romance. Our MCs need to make peace with each other in orther of politics. Also the title has “white” in it.
Sob Story
Background: Another new discovery of 2023, though I actually remember this one by Arrested Youth, because it’s damn catchy. I probably will curse myself for putting this on the card, but something in my head went like “You have to include this!” So, you are getting stuck with me.
What the prompt is about: I imagine this is going to be this year’s most difficult prompt. I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not really. Alright, so a book fitting this would be one where a character believes every sob story they are told, or a character who tries to sell a sob story themselves. Or a book where you feel like the whole plot is a big damn sob story or makes you roll your eyes. You can hate me now.
The book I picked: A Circle of Stars by Craig Montgomery
Why: We are supposed to feel sorry for the MCs, and while I liked this book, I wasn’t all that into the characters, so…
Always Halloween
Background: I think this was one of the first songs I put on my list of potential prompts when I started said list. It caught my attention a few weeks back and I instantly knew it would be a great fit. I don’t know much about Bohnes, but I came across their songs throughout the year. I probably should pay a bit more attention to them this year.
What the prompt is about: Pretty self-explanatory, but you can pick any Halloween-themed book for this! Or even any book with a holiday theme. A book featuring a party including costumes could also work.
The book I picked: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Why: While this book is not about halloween, but it has a walking, talking skeleton as one of the main characters, so I think that fits.
Therapy
Background: Therapy by VOILÀ caught my attention earlier in 2023 and wormed its way into my brain. I guess it brought up some memories and old feelings, so… Yeah. Anyway. I love it and I thought it could work really well.
What the prompt is about: I think this could be used for quite a few things – a book in which a character goes to therapy, a book about a therapist, or a book with a character you think would need therapy. If you are reading a book that feels therapeutic to you at the time for any reason, it could go here as well.
The book I picked: The Hungry Dark by Jen Williams
Why: I’m about 100% sure that at least the MC needs therapy, especially everything she goes through and her family not even being very caring. And then there are her friends, who most definitely need therapy. Yikes.
Low Life
Background: I picked this song up by Crobot a couple of years ago and it stuck with me. I wanted to include it earlier, but I always had something else with similar themes I felt more strongly about. But now! It’s finally time!
What the prompt is about: A book with a morally grey or rather immoral character would be the perfect fit. Or a book set in the low parts of a city or an empire, featuring people of low status who want to break out.
The book I picked: The Killing Game by Michael Dylan
Why: It’s about a serial killer, so you know, can’t be more immoral than that.
Kiss My Ass
Background: I have a feeling I’m going to love this prompt just as I love this Sam Grow song. I’m fairly sure I picked it up from the Country Rocks playlist and I’m not even sorry. That playlist has some pretty great tunes if you ask me.
What the prompt is about: You gotta love a character that has that “kiss my ass” attitude, don’t you? I sure do, so I’m going to have a lot of fun picking a book for this specifically. I really don’t have much else to add to this. Okay, maybe I do, a book with a rebellion/revolution theme would also work.
The book I picked: The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston
Why: If there ever was a character with strong kiss my ass vibes, then it’s Briar. Hands down. I don’t even have any questions on my mind for this pick.
You Are My Home
Background: We can’t have a card without a prompt for family/home. This year my pick fell on Joshua Radin‘s song, which I guess I liked sometime earlier because it’s on my playlist, but I have no memory of it. Man, I really should pay closer attention to what I’m listening to these days.
What the prompt is about: A book set in the MC’s hometown is a good start. I think I’ll use this one more for family ties. I like books with found family themes, so those also would be a good fit.
The book I picked: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
Why: The MC inherits a house, that turns out to be haunted. He eventually finds his home in there.
Now We Are Free
Background: I can’t believe I never thought to pick Now We Are Free for the joker spot on the card. Geez. A few days ago it came up on my playlist and I was telling my friends on Discord how it never fails to give me goosebumps, when one of them said it would be a perfect choice for The Sound of Madness. And she was damn right. I should feel ashamed it didn’t come to me. Oh well, this classic by Hans Zimmer written for Gladiator finally gets its spotlight.
What the prompt is about: As I said, this is the joker spot. This is where absolutely anything goes you can’t fit into any other prompts. Now you are free to choose.
The book I picked: Miserere by T. Frohock
Why: I picked this partly because this is a joker prompt, but also because the theme fits the book. One MC gets freed from a demon, and the other finds redemption.
Summer Jam
Background: I didn’t even think of this song by The Underdog Project in YEARS. It came to my mind when I was thinking about what title I should give to my summer plan spreads in my bullet journal… Look, I know this is not the best song ever, but it always brings back memories of summers from my preteens, when this song was EVERYWHERE. I just looked it up and turns out it was released in 2000. And now I feel much older, thank you very much.
What the prompt is about: A book where either the characters are going on a summer holiday, or one you are reading on your summer holiday, or one that’s set during the summer. Bring on the sunglasses and umbrellas, my friends!
The book I picked: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Why: It’s a book mostly set during the summer and it was also one of my summer holiday reads.
New Song
Background: Whoops. I almost didn’t have a Måneskin song on this card! *gasp* I guess as with many other people they got my attention during Eurovision in 2021, which they won. I like their music, so I listen to them quite a lot. So many catchy songs. They came to Hungary a couple of times in the past few years, but I hate arena shows, so I’ve never been. Maybe one day I get to see them live. Also, man, Damiano makes Italian sound super sexy. Anyway. I first picked a P!nk song for the music prompt, but then I realized that she was already featured with Rag’n’Bone Man, so I needed something else. Turns out I had no Måneskin song on my liked playlist and WTF past me?! Holy shit. I rectified that travesty, I’m sure you’ll be relieved to hear.
What the prompt is about: As I mentioned, this is the music prompt. Since this is a reading challenge based on prompts inspired by song titles, I think it goes without saying, that we need a music prompt. This is where any book goes that features music in any form – it can be a dancing scene, a bard singing a tune in some sticky tavern, it doesn’t matter. But if you are hard-pressed to pick anything, I will allow you to pick a book by a new to you author or a book that’s released in 2024 since this is called “new song”, after all.
The book I picked: Under Your Spell by Laura Wood
Why: One of the MCs is a musician, so of course there is a song involved. Plus, this was a new to me author.
Say It
Background: I have no recollection of when I put this Blue October song on my playlist, but it’s there. I only got aware of it one night a week or two ago when it randomly came up and it just hit me out of the blue. Does it ever happen to you, when you hear a song several times and you like it, but it goes over your head, when one day it pops up and BAM. Like you were hit by a train (or a truck and yes I’ve morbid humor, deal with it). I can’t get it out of my head, so I decided to include it, even if it’s not going to be one of the easiest prompts. But I can’t give you only easy ones, now can I?
What the prompt is about: I’m always frustrated with books where things would be solved much easier if the people actually talked to each other. I know, crazy, right?! So now if I come across a book like that I can fit right here. So if you feel like screaming “Just say it already, FFS!” then you have a prompt ticked, right there. But it can be a book where a secret plays an important part in the plot, or where a character is prompted to finally speak their mind after holding back for a long time. It can even be a suspect in a murder case if you are reading a mystery or thriller.
The book I picked: The Reanimator’s Heart by Kara Jorgensen
Why: Oliver and Felipe have to fight their way to say things to each other. And when Oliver finally picks up his courage, well…things take an interesting turn.
The Legend of Mother Swan
Background: I featured a The HU song previously, Song of Women in which they collaborated with Lzzy Hale. Man, that’s an awesome song. Anyway, this time the spotlight goes only to them with The Legend of Mother Swan. Yes, I know this is an oddly specific title for a prompt, but bear with me. And if you don’t know The HU yet, I highly recommend checking out this Mongolian folk metal band, they are awesome. This song is on their debut album, The Gereg.
What the prompt is about: Okay, so obviously I don’t expect anyone to pick up a book about the legend of Mother Swan. But I think this is a great prompt for books that feature a legend of any kind, myths, folklore or even fairy tales, be it retellings or otherwise. And if you pick a book that features a swan at that, well, please tell me about it, because I’d be interested! A book that has a swan on the cover would be acceptable too.
The book I picked: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Why: Well, it’s not about Mother Swan, but this book was inspired by the legends of the fox spirits, and it has a lot of folklore vibes, so I think it fits.
Through Glass
Background: It had become a tradition with me that I pick a theme song for each year by letting my player or in this case, Spotify pick a random song for me on January 1st. And I usually quickly forget about it all, lol. This year the first song Spotify played from my liked playlist was Through Glass by Hands Like Houses feat. Samsaruh. I didn’t even know about this song, which is weird, because I clearly marked it once. It was a couple of years back as it appears to be pretty far down the list. Another case of a song hitting you when you least expect it. But apparently, my taste didn’t change much, because it’s a song I would like to listen to a lot more in the future. Fun fact Stone Sour has a song with the same title I also love to pieces. And since it happened, I thought it should get its spot, even if it won’t make me popular…
What the prompt is about: Okay, maybe this will be the hardest prompt after all. There should go a book with “glass” in the title, or a book that features glass in some meaningful way. It could be a book too with a character that’s easy to see through (either by us or by their fellow character(s) – their motivations, their personality, their lies, etc. Maybe it could be a book with a super predictable plot(twist).
The book I picked: That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain
Why: Because the plot was predictable all the way through, but then I didn’t expect anything else and it was what I needed at the time.
Road to Joy
Background: For the first time, I’m including a song I didn’t pick. Road to Joy by Peter Gabriel. When I started planning out this year’s card, I asked my Discord people to give me suggestions to consider. I got some good ones, but Road to Joy definitely stood out to me. I immediately started to think about possible options for a prompt like this. And it got stuck with me so much, that it even made the final list. You can all thank Bjørn for that.
What the prompt is about: I’m thinking road trip for this one for obvious reasons. But this prompt can also be for a cozy book or a book that makes you happy reading. Or one that has a happy ending of some sort.
The book I picked: A Rival Most Vial by R.K. Ashwick
Why: This book gave me immense joy. I just loved it. Also, it’s a cozy fantasy, so it fits.
Give That Wolf a Banana
Background: This is hands down my favorite prompt. And I’m so happy with myself for putting this song on the card, because it also happens one of my favorite songs from the past couple of years. Give That Wolf a Banana is the song of the Norwegian duo, Subwoofer. They went to Eurovision in 2022 and they were fucking ROBBED. They should have won. Though I liked the Ukranian song too, that ended up winning. STILL. Anyway, I kept an eye on Subwoofer since then, and their songs never stop making me smile/laugh. They recently had a few Christmas-themed ones and they are hilarious.
What the prompt is about: I know what you are thinking, that finding a book about the legend of Mother Swan would be child’s play compared to this. Rest assured, I 100% don’t expect you to find a book about wolves and bananas. Though I hope someone will write a book based on this title. Instead, this prompt should be about comedy, and well-known stories with a twist to turn them upside down. It can be a book including a wolf or a dominantly yellow cover (or both).
The book I picked: Ritual of Fire by D. V. Bishop
Why: For a long time it seemed like this one would trip me up. Then I remembered that I allowed yellow covers too, and voilá! Ritual of Fire fits that bill.
Kill Your Conscience
Background: You most certainly didn’t think I’d dare have a reading challenge named after a Shinedown song WITHOUT a Shinedown song, did you? Of course, you didn’t. Now. Kill Your Conscience is one of my favorite songs from their ATTENTION ATTENTION album from 2018 (fuck me sideways, that was 5 years ago?! *dies*), the year in which they came to Hungary and I got to see them (and talk to Barry, their drummer!!). Anyway, on to the prompt.
What the prompt is about: I think there are two ways to go about this one. On one hand, you can pick a book in which a character does something against their better judgment for any reason, this character can be good doing bad things or a bad one doing some good. The other option is for you to ignore your own conscience and pick up a book you want to read whether you can or not. We all need a little bit of self-care every once in a while. Treat yourself! Read that book you bought for rebellious reasons! You deserve it.
The book I picked: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Why: The MC investigates an old murder mystery and sometimes does things that aren’t strictly right and gets herself in trouble. Plus the murderer hides himself among the people, living their life without conscience.
Ghosts & Monsters
Background: Saint Chaos is a band I picked up this year in the wake of my obsession with Barns Courtney and Oh The Larceny. They are not a band I paid especially close attention to, but I should rectify that, I guess.
What the prompt is about: I know we had a Halloween prompt before, but that one’s a bit more specific. Here anything goes that’s a fantastical creature, be it a ghost, werewolf, vampire, fae, angel, demon, etc. Whatever creature you can think of (or come across, more like) can fit right here.
The book I picked: The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams
Why: Well, this book has all in abundance. There are ghosts, monsters, fae a sentient god.
Chasing Stars
Background: Royal Bliss is a band that’s been on my radar for a good few years now when I discovered their Waiting Out the Storm album. Chasing Stars was released on their newest album, Survival in 2023. And with this, we are closing the list of prompts on a positive note.
What the prompt is about: Chasing stars is about chasing your dreams, about being happy, so pick a book where an MC is chasing their dreams or a book that’s about a place you’d like to visit. For you sci-fi fans out there, you can find a book chasing literal stars!
The book I picked: Tournament Topdecker by Benedict Patrick
Why: The MC fights for his dream to become the tournament winner so he can go and find out what happened to his mother.
And that concludes our list of prompts! It ended up as nicely eclectic as my tastes are. I admit I’m super proud of how it turned out.
I hope you’ll join me for a book and music-filled year and will have just as much fun as I had while coming up with it all! Let me know if you’d like to join and which of these prompts are your favorites!
Throughout the year I follow my progress on Twitter with somewhat regular updates. You can check it all out HERE.
ANYWHERE AWAY FROM HERE | HANDWRITTEN | PSYCHO | ADDICTED | THE MYSTIC |
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QUEEN OF KINGS | ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE | WHITE FLAG | SOB STORY | ALWAYS HALLOWEEN |
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THERAPY | LOW LIFE | KISS MY ASS | YOU ARE MY HOME | NOW WE ARE FREE |
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SUMMER JAM | NEW SONG | SAY IT | THE LEGEND OF MOTHER SWAN | THROUGH GLASS |
 |  |  |  |  |
ROAD TO JOY | GIVE THAT WOLF A BANANA | KILL YOUR CONSCIENCE | GHOSTS & MONSTERS | CHASING STARS |
 |  |  |  |  |
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Timy, also known as Queen Terrible Timy hails from a magical land called Hungary, born and raised in its capital city, Budapest. Books have been her refuge and best friends ever since she can remember along with music. She might be a tiny bit addicted to the latter. Timy is the owner and editor of Queen's Book Asylum. In her free time (hah!) she likes to create things, collect panda stuff, go to concerts, travel, and take the literary world one book at a time.
This is such a fun challenge concept! Going to try and fit this in.
Yay! Have fun with it ????
I think that I am going to give this a try. I love the idea of a music based reading challenge. It makes things interesting.
Also, I’ve love to join your Discord! =D
Wow, sorry, your comment went into spam and I just found it! I’m glad you love the sound of this challenge 😁 Good luck with it if you give it a go!
And here is an invite code: https://discord.gg/pm8wwySj Fair warning: this is a small server, so it’s usually not very busy, but you are welcome to join if you like it there 😊
This is awesome! Do you have a link to the previous 3 years? I would love to see what fills those in for fun this year as well.
Of course! Here you go:
TSOM 2021: https://queensbookasylum.com/2021/12/29/the-sound-of-madness-reading-challenge/
TSOM 2022: https://queensbookasylum.com/2022/01/03/the-sound-of-madness-reading-challenge-2022/
TSOM 2023: https://queensbookasylum.com/2023/01/03/the-sound-of-madness-reading-challenge-2023/
I hope you’ll enjoy 🙂
Thank you!