Around the time of her viral Tiny Desk performance in March of 2024, lesbian pop singer Chappell Roan absolutely took off in popularity. Sadly, however, it looks like Chappell Roan summer is coming to an end, giving way to a new semester of schoolwork and readings. But if you’re looking to expand your media consumption for more vibes like those from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, look no further: I’ve compiled a list of five books to go with five hit songs from the album to help get you started, spanning the range of genres from Horror to Canlit!

"Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl": This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

Have you ever wanted to read a book about girls who eat people, kiss each other, and attend a fictionalized version of Coachella? Boy, do I have the book for you! 

This Delicious Death follows a post-pandemic world where a virus has turned the people it infected into cannibalistic ghouls. Not to fear, though, because synthetic human meat has been developed to sustain them, allowing those infected—including our main cast of girls—to continue their lives as normal…mostly. But when the main characters attend a music festival and discover that someone is trying to turn ghouls feral, they must solve the mystery before it’s too late. 

This was an obvious pick for me, especially because of the relevant music festival setting. Despite the heavy subject matter, this book is a lot of fun, just like the song! This Horror-Comedy features a romance that perfectly emulates “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl”, boygenius references, and a group of friends that’s to die for. Literally.

‍“Casual”: The Adult by Bronwyn Fischer

‍The Adult follows a lonely first-year University of Toronto student as she forms a relationship with an older woman. It encapsulates the feeling of moving into residence for school and knowing absolutely nobody, especially because it’s set in Toronto—a familiar place for many Canadian students. It’s almost impossible to look away from the main character and her awful decision-making throughout this book, in addition to her lover’s incredibly messy marriage and the obsession that ensues. The hopeless, humiliated, frustrated emotions that the song invokes are also a major part of this contemporary Canlit debut, making it the perfect book to curl up with while blasting “Casual” on repeat.

‍“My Kink is Karma”: Off With Their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta

This book is certifiably insane. Genuinely off the rails. Do you like main characters who hate each other? Girls who are gross and crazy? 

This Korean-inspired retelling of Alice in Wonderland is set in a world where Saints are horrific monsters, the Queen of Hearts is a young girl with a dark secret, and Alice and the White Rabbit are ex-girlfriends and Saint hunters out for each other’s blood. 

Mikuta’s exploration of the fine line between love and hatred—and what happens when that line is crossed—is perfectly accurate to this song. If you’re into experimental narration, lovers-to-enemies, and a hate-kiss while the main characters try to kill each other, this book is for you.

‍“Red Wine Supernova”: Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner

If you’ve just obsessed over Olympic soccer and have no idea what to do with yourself now that it’s over, I have a book for you. 

It’s this one. 

Cleat Cute is a Team USA soccer romance between a seasoned player and a rookie, and there’s just so much to love, especially if you’re a “Red Wine Supernova” enjoyer like myself. Roan’s lyrics “Put her canine teeth in the side of my neck I’m in the hallway waiting for you” are about Wilsner’s Grace and Phoebe and you can’t convince me otherwise. 

This book made me care about soccer, a sport I haven’t played since I was nine, and deftly balanced the politics of Team USA with a sweet, compelling romance. Bonus points for the fact that there’s no third-act-breakup!

‍“HOT TO GO!”: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Based on the grungy, gothic cover of this book, I know what you’re thinking, and I need you to hear me out. The titular character of Gideon the Ninth isn’t what you’d expect. She’s snarky, butch, and generally clueless about anything and everything going on around her. 

She also partakes in the classic lesbian activities: having religious trauma, carrying a big sword, and being in love with a short and evil nun. This book is a lot of fun, just like the song, even if it looks dark on the outside. 

The humour is hilarious, the story is full of love, and the characters are incredibly well-crafted. I can’t fully explain this one due to spoilers, but Gideon is certainly hot to go, and if you enjoy this song I hope you give this series a try before the final installment comes out (hopefully) next year!