As you guys probably know, being a so-called music snob, I love me a good playlist. And friends, as I know Caitlin Kerry has an excellent ear for music, I’m pleased as punch to share her writing playlist for her debut novel FINDING JUNE. It’s a great one! (*scurries away to add songs to Spotify playlists*)
Up first, though, all the deets on the book:
FINDING JUNE by Caitlin Kerry
Genre: New Adult 17+ Publication Date: March 4, 2014 Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.
~ Book Synopsis ~
Tell me your story June….
June thought she had it all. She soon found out how wrong she was. Her dreams of finding the good life were washed away when she was dumped on the sandy beaches of Mexico. Now back in Boise as an overeducated server, she doesn’t even know where to begin on fixing her life. But one thing June does know is the new guy at work is one to stay away from. Reece Day catches June’s attention, even if she doesn’t want it. Reece has the uncanny ability to always get in the last word, to get under June’s skin, making her question what she really wants in life. June quickly realizes that for the first time in her life, she finally has the chance to find herself.
I am a huge music nerd. Always have been. Music is essential to my writing process and some songs got major play while writing FINDING JUNE. I listened to a lot of Sufjan Stevens, Daughter, The Helio Sequence and Josh Ritter while writing FINDING JUNE. A fun fact: In the first draft of the book, I had wonderfully thought out quotes I picked from songs and used as Chapter Headers. Sadly, I ended up not putting them in the final version of the book. There is a playlist, though, at the end of the book with the songs used in order of chapter. So make sure to check that out! Today I am going to give a little insight with a handful of the songs that didn’t make it into the final version and the story behind them. Enjoy!
“Well I’ve lost it all, I’m just a silhouette”
Finding June opened with this song. I read once that
Daughter (and this song in particular) was just really good for NA in general. I couldn’t help but agree! As a 20 something myself, I feel lost at least once a week. On a good week 😉 But June finds herself in a spot in her life where she doesn’t really know what’s next. It’s hard at this age to make decisions and know if they are the right ones.
“And the only thing that’s certain is that sometimes you are bound to fall”
I find this just to be good life advice. And the chapter it was part of, well June finds herself falling in many ways. But this also plays into the pressure June feels to be everything everyone wants her to be. Again, something I think is common to 20 something’s. The pressure to be all the things can be overwhelming and knowing that it’s okay if things don’t go the way they are “supposed” to can make life a lot easier!
“There are times life will rattle your bones
And will bend your limbs
You’re still far away the boy you’ve ever been”
GAH. This song. This song is all about Reece Day. I lost track of how many times I listened to this song. Reece is such a special character to me, he is light and wisdom to June but that doesn’t mean his story is perfect either. While June is trying to find herself, Reece is trying to find his home. There were so many times I was writing scenes with Reece and just in tears over his story. I wish this song was called Dear Reece.
“I traced my fingers along your trails
And your body was the map, I was lost in it all”
I’m a huge nature lover. So this song was all about the connection, physical and emotional, between Reece and June. And it used these beautiful lyrics about lakes and glaciers and I was totally sold. This song was used during a scene that involved a cabin and was one of my favorite parts of the book. I encourage you to look up all of the lyrics of this song because it’s truly beautiful.
“Lucky are you who finds me in the wilderness”
Backstory on this song. I’m a huge
Josh Ritter fan (Idaho represent!) and was needing a song for part of the book. I was hiking (see, nature lover) on my birthday and on the way done I played some Josh Ritter. This song came on and in that moment when I heard that line, it was perfect for June! Plus Josh Ritter songs are just simply amazing
J Please check out the full FINDING JUNE playlist. It has the songs listed in the back of the book, as well as the music in the book and other songs that got constant play. Enjoy!
~ About the Author ~
Caitlin Kerry is obsessed with the stories we tell. Her love of reading and writing led her to accomplish a goal she set for herself at the age of seventeen. She has a degree in History and Political Science and is only a semester away from a Masters in Public Administration. Caitlin is an avid tea drinker, hopeful adventurer, lover of music and often finds the best medicine is the quiet of nature.
When Caitlin isn’t writing or reading she usually can be found enjoying the great outdoors with her geologist husband, always looking for the next adventure. She currently resides in Southeastern Idaho.
