How to Love

The Official How to Love Playlist By Katie Cotugno

From Joni Mitchell to Leann Rimes to Te Vaka, I listened to all of it while I wrote this book. Songs that fit the story, songs I thought Sawyer and Reena might like, songs that just plain gave me a lot of Big Feelings. Here are a few that are still in heavy rotation:

1. “Down in the Valley” by the Head and the Heart

Live music plays such an important role in How to Love, and the Head and the Heart puts on maybe the best live show I’ve ever seen. This track in particular is such a Sawyer song to me.

2. “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” by Bob Dylan, performed by Miley Cyrus

This is a Bob Dylan song, but I have to say that Miley’s version is my very fave. “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome” is a song about knowing you’re going to get left behind and not being able to do a single thing to stop it.

3. “So Far Around the Bend” by the National

I mean, if “I know you’re a serious lady” isn’t a perfect description of Reena, I don’t know what is.

4. “I Dream of Chicago” by Parlours

This one’s a traveling song, and a beautiful one.

5. “Reunion” by Indigo Girls

“Reunion” always makes me think of Reena’s relationship with her family—both the Monteros and the LeGrandes—especially the lines “I have no need for anger with intimate strangers/I have nothing to hide.”

6. “Poison and Wine” by the Civil Wars

This one’s about a good/bad love affair, and it aches.

7. “Bring It on Home to Me” by Sam Cooke, performed by Tony Lucca

This song is actually mentioned by name in the book. It’s a Sam Cooke song, but the Tony Lucca cover is the sexiest. It’s just science.

8. “All This and Heaven Too” by Florence and the Machine

In my head, “All This and Heaven Too” is Reena’s theme song. To me, at least, it’s about a smart girl trying to figure out, you know—how to love.