Last month I was introduced to the YA contemporary author Donna Freitas, first via her lovely novel This Gorgeous Game, and then through her latest book, The Survival Kit
. For those of you who haven’t read the latter, it’s about a girl named Rose who finds a survival kit her mother assembled for her before she died of cancer. Her mother made kits for parents sending children to her preschool. She hoped that a survival kit of Rose’s own might help her survive the grief of her passing. Since a love of music is something both Rose and her mother shared, one of the items among many in the kit is an iPod with a to-be-determined playlist. At first Rose avoids listening to music at all costs but by the end of the book, she is listening again and amasses a lengthy playlist, which is included in the back of the book. I wanted to listen to it when I first finished the book but alas, I didn’t, but I found an abridged version of it here. What did linger was the idea of a survival playlist for life and which songs would be on mine. With my husband and I both looking for new jobs last year and other personal setbacks, music saw me through the rougher days of 2012. So in honor of The Survival Kit and the power of music, I created a survival playlist for 2012. These are the songs I found solace in repeatedly, songs that alternately moved, cheered, quieted and inspired me either to act – whether it be upon matters of business or pleasure – or permitted me to stop and feel the plethora of emotions from grief to joy necessary to become whole again.
In addition to the playlist of popular music I also created a playlist of my favorite classical piano pieces. The catch is that they were not recorded by a professional pianist. I played them. With that said, please bear in mind that these songs were not recorded in a professional setting nor are they perfectly played so be forgiving. If you’re interested in listening to either playlist, I’ve posted both in the right sidebar below the YAckers button. I also posted a Spotify version of the popular playlist at the bottom left of this page. All you have to do is click play. 
Does anyone else have survival music? Which songs do you listen to over and over again? Tell me about the music that gets you going or any other thoughts in the comments.
Last month I was introduced to the YA contemporary author Donna Freitas, first via her lovely novel This Gorgeous Game, and then through her latest book, The Survival Kit
Lovely idea! Thanks for sharing your playlist!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you like it.
I make playlists for almost all occasions that matter to me — the New Year, my birthday, when a typhoon flooded our house back in 2009, when I got (sort of) broken hearted, when I like a certain guy, and so on. I have two favorite playlists now that I play whenever I feel rattled: my 2013 “All Things New” playlist and my “Keep Calm” one. I haven’t made playlists for other people though, but that’s a good gift idea for my friends this year.
Like a mixed tape for a friend or bf? Love it. I think it’sgreat that you make playlists for different occassions, too. I may try that sometime.
I love love love that you did this, Holly!! I love playlists that are associated with books (in fact, I just made myself an Audrey, Wait! playlist), and the fact that you were inspired to make your own survival playlists is just awesome–both of them. Seriously, you’re a fantastic pianist! I’ve been playing since I was little but haven’t had a piano since moving away from home, I miss it! So nice to hear someone play.
I really think that music can help us get by so many times in life, and those songs you listened to this year will forever remind you of those times and how you got through!
Thanks so much, Heidi! Happy to hear that you play too. I need to make more book-based playlists.
Such a lovely idea! I haven’t read The Survival Kit but I love the idea of a survival kit and a survival playlist. I know how soothing playing the piano is for you, makes me wish I had a musical talent. Off to listen to your playlist.
Thanks! I kind of want a reason to make a survival kit, if the circumstances are right. *tsk tsk* I’m sure you have some musical talent in you.
I love karaoke but I’m all heart, no talent when it comes to that.
Lol.