Recs if you like Signal to Noise...

Fiction to read when riding that Stranger Things high, with similar vibes, references or stories. Sometimes called the "kids on bikes" genre, this is a mix of small town horror, scifi and speculative fiction. Also the tie-in novels for Stranger Things itself, as that inspired this list.

A list of Fantasy books where the magic system is based off of music in some form

The 80s were loud, complicated, joyful, heartbreaking, and transformative. These books capture the decade from every angle.

This list features book covers illustrated/designed by Pennsylvania-based artist Jim Tierney. Tierney's illustrations feature sweeping textures, dramatic lighting, and bold, nostalgic text design, as you will definitely note while scrolling through this list. Please note that in some cases, his work is one of multiple versions of cover art for the same book, so it may appear as a different version here than the one he illustrated. In some cases I have avoided adding specific versions to curb confusion.

Goes with my bookstagram post today: Analog is not an aesthetic or vibes or a trope. Nostalgia is grief. A coping mechanism. I find myself rewatching old favorites, crying when I listen to old music, searching for books set in the 80s and 90s and reaching for any media that feels GenX coded. I’m a 1976 Gemini turning 50 this year so this tracks. ☎️ the 80s & 90s are calling and I’m going back.

Music and books both speak to something deeper in many of us. These books are about music, musicians, and how music moves us.