Music Match-Up is back for round 10! This is a celebration of books and music. I take a book and pair it with a song that either reminds me of the book, has a similar feel to it, or maybe just has a random connection that only makes sense to me!
This week I’m featuring a YA book I just finished reading. I didn’t really have a song in mind while I read it, but a few days after I read the last page, I heard a particular song, and right away I began thinking of the book! So, with that I bring you…
A Short History of the Girl Next Door || “I Need My Girl”
(**Spoiler Alert! My post contains plot spoilers!**)
I was really excited to start this book. I love a good unrequited love story! And I have been wanting to read more stories from a boy’s point of view. This is the story of Matt who suddenly realizes he’s in love with his childhood best friend Tabby. There was a little too much basketball in it (and I love basketball!) and to be honest, Matt’s longing for Tabby was starting to feel more like complaining. Still though, I was enjoying it. And then…Tabby dies! As someone else pointed out to me, it is called “A SHORT history” lol. I knew from the blurb that there was a tragic accident, but for some reason I thought that applied to the boy (the main character). I just assumed he was going to have a basketball injury. Well, we all know what happens when you assume… Anyway, after that accident, I really started to like Matt more and breezed through the end of the book. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Matt says “You’re the Nerds” to Tabby. It’s the closest he can get to telling her he loves her. Nerds are the highest candy in the Halloween Hierarchy. I love that…”you’re the Nerds”.
There are a couple of reasons this song made me instantly think of A Short History of the Girl Next Door. Of course, there’s the title. Matt really does need Tabby. First simply because he’s in love with her. But then because she’s gone and he just wants her back. But there’s also the melody. It’s got that guitar melody that’s repeated. And the sound of this song reminds me of Matt’s constant pining for Tabby. The speaker in the song has memories of the girl, doubts himself, and yearns for his girl. He needs his girl just like Matt needs Tabby.
