Are you someone who loves Hozier? If you find yourself drawn to the deep, introspective themes woven throughout Hozier’s lyrics, then you’re in for a real treat with this blog post. I’ve curated a list of books that resonate with the soulful vibes and beautiful lyrics of Hozier’s melodies.
Hozier’s music is known for his haunting melodies and thought-provoking lyrics that often explore themes of love, faith, and the complexities of human nature. If you find yourself nodding along to his songs, feeling every chord tugging at your heartstrings, then you’re sure to appreciate many of the books in this list.
From novels that delve into the depths of human emotion to poetry collections that capture the essence of love and longing, this reading list is just for you!
So whether you’re curled up with a book on a rainy day or listening to your favorite Hozier vinyl, these recommendations are sure to complement your love for his music perfectly. Get ready to lose yourself in stories that echo the same raw emotions and profound insights that make Hozier’s music so irresistable.
P.S. These are not necessarily Hozier’s favorite books (because that could be a whole other post on its own since Hozier is a HUGE reader!), but just books that I think fit the vibes of our favorite Hozier songs.
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In the Woods by Tana French
In the Woods is a captivating psychological suspense novel that transports readers to a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984. As dusk falls, the disappearance of three children sets off a chain of events that haunts the community for decades. Rob Ryan, one of the lost children who was found gripping a tree trunk in terror, is now a detective on the Dublin Murder Squad, harboring secrets from his past. When a similar murder occurs in the same woods twenty years later, Ryan and his partner, Detective Cassie Maddox, find themselves entangled in a chilling case that dredges up buried memories.
Hozier fans will find themselves drawn to In the Woods for its rich atmosphere and deep exploration of human psychology. Much like Hozier’s music, the novel delves into themes of loss, trauma, and the complexities of memory. As Ryan grapples with both the present-day murder investigation and the shadows of his own past, readers are taken on a suspenseful journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. With its intricate plot and haunting narrative, “In the Woods” promises to captivate fans of mysteries and psychological thrillers alike, leaving them guessing until the very end.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet is a poignant and evocative historical novel that brings to life the untold story behind one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Set in 16th-century England, the narrative revolves around the life and tragic death of Shakespeare’s young son, Hamnet, and the profound impact his loss has on his family. Through vivid prose and meticulous research, O’Farrell immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of Elizabethan England, painting a vivid portrait of a family grappling with grief, love, and the fragility of life.
Hozier fans will appreciate Hamnet for its exploration of universal themes such as love, loss, and the human experience. Just as Hozier’s music delves into the depths of emotion and the complexities of existence, O’Farrell’s novel captures the raw intensity of human emotions in the face of tragedy. With its lyrical prose and heart-wrenching storytelling, Hamnet is sure to resonate with fans of Hozier’s soul-stirring melodies, offering a poignant meditation on the timeless nature of love and loss.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House is a spellbinding fantasy novel that intertwines power, privilege, and dark magic within the elite circles of Yale University.
Hozier fans will find themselves drawn to Ninth House for its raw exploration of human struggles and resilience amidst a backdrop of mysticism and intrigue. Much like Hozier’s music delves into the complexities of the human condition, Bardugo’s novel navigates the tumultuous journey of Galaxy “Alex” Stern, a survivor haunted by her past and thrust into a world of secrets and shadows.
As Alex delves deeper into Yale’s secret societies, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and discovery, uncovering dark truths and hidden agendas. The novel’s richly imagined world, filled with occult rituals and forbidden magic, mirrors the haunting atmosphere often found in Hozier’s music, captivating fans with its atmospheric depth and unexpected twists.
With its blend of fantasy and mystery, Ninth House promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, just like a Hozier song grips the heart with its haunting melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. It’s a tale that resonates long after the final page is turned, leaving readers eager for more.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is a mesmerizing journey into an alternate reality where the boundaries of space and time blur, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Set within the labyrinthine halls of Piranesi’s mysterious house, the novel immerses readers in a dreamlike world filled with endless corridors, statues, and an imprisoned ocean.
As Piranesi delves deeper into the secrets of his home, encountering enigmatic figures like The Other and uncovering hidden truths, the novel unfolds with surreal beauty and haunting imagery.
For Hozier fans, Piranesi resonates with its exploration of existential themes and the human quest for understanding amidst the unknown. Much like Hozier’s music, which often delves into the depths of the human psyche and the mysteries of existence, Piranesi invites readers to ponder the nature of reality and the boundaries of perception. With its intoxicating blend of mystery, wonder, and philosophical depth, Piranesi is sure to captivate and inspire readers long after they’ve turned the final page.
The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker
In Sarai Walker’s second novel, The Cherry Robbers, she crafts a feminist gothic tale that plunges readers into the eerie world of the Chapel sisters, heiresses to a firearms fortune trapped in a haunted Victorian mansion. Neglected by their parents and haunted by the specter of their family’s dark legacy, the sisters yearn to break free from their cloistered existence in 1950s Connecticut.
Marriage, they soon discover, holds a sinister fate for the Chapel sisters, as tragedy strikes with each union. When the eldest sister meets a mysterious end on her wedding day, the family is plunged into a spiral of despair and suspicion. As secrets unravel and the curse of the Chapel family looms large, only Iris, the second-youngest sister, dares to defy fate and seek her own path to freedom.
Drawing from the Gothic tradition of Shirley Jackson, Walker weaves a spellbinding narrative that explores the intersections of power, freedom, and gender in a patriarchal society. With its richly atmospheric setting and compelling exploration of female agency, The Cherry Robbers offers a gripping and thought-provoking read that will resonate with fans of dark, introspective storytelling—much like the haunting melodies and introspective themes found in Hozier’s music.
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers is a daring and provocative novel that delves into the mind of a female serial killer with a taste for both culinary delights and human flesh. Told from the perspective of Dorothy Daniels, a glamorous food critic with a dark secret, the story unfolds with gripping intensity as Dorothy navigates her insatiable appetite for both food and murder. With razor-sharp wit and unflinching prose, Summers explores the complexities of desire, power, and obsession in a world where culinary prowess intersects with deadly appetites.
Hozier fans will find A Certain Hunger intriguing for its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and the complexities of desire. Just as Hozier’s music often delves into themes of sin, temptation, and the human psyche, Summers’ novel offers a visceral and thought-provoking examination of the depths of human appetite and the consequences of indulging in one’s darkest impulses. With its gripping narrative and provocative themes, A Certain Hunger is sure to resonate with fans of Hozier’s soul-stirring melodies and profound lyrical explorations.
Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid
Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid is a captivating tale set in a city torn between tradition and progress, where magic clashes with industrialization and ancient curses linger in the shadows. Marlinchen, alongside her sisters, navigates a precarious existence under the tyranny of their wizard father while secretly indulging in the city’s newfound delights, including a budding romance with a dancer.
Reid skillfully weaves a narrative of intrigue and peril as Marlinchen confronts both the oppressive forces within her family and the monstrous threats lurking in the city. With themes of love, rebellion, and the struggle for identity, Juniper and Thorn offers a richly immersive experience that will keep readers spellbound until the final page.
Hozier fans will appreciate the parallels between the novel’s exploration of societal upheaval and the themes often found in his music, which delves into the complexities of human nature, the clash of tradition and modernity, and the search for freedom and self-expression. Like Hozier’s evocative lyrics, Juniper and Thorn invites readers to contemplate the enduring struggle between darkness and light, tradition and progress, and the power of love to transcend boundaries.
Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh is a captivating fantasy novella that weaves together folklore, romance, and mystery in a lush woodland setting. Deep in the heart of an ancient forest, Tobias Finch, guardian of Greenhollow Hall, leads a solitary existence until the arrival of Henry Silver, a spirited scholar with a penchant for unraveling secrets. As their unlikely friendship blossoms into something more, Tobias finds himself drawn into a world of magic and intrigue that threatens to upend his quiet life.
Tesh’s lyrical prose and enchanting storytelling evoke a sense of wonder and enchantment, transporting readers to a realm where ancient spirits roam and forgotten legends come to life. Against the backdrop of the mysterious forest, Tobias and Henry’s relationship unfolds with tender intimacy and palpable longing, intertwining their fates in ways neither could have imagined.
Hozier fans will appreciate Silver in the Wood for its haunting atmosphere and exploration of themes such as love, longing, and the eternal struggle between darkness and light. Much like Hozier’s music, which often delves into the depths of human emotion and the mysteries of the natural world, Tesh’s novella invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and transformation amidst the magic of the forest. With its evocative imagery and poignant romance, Silver in the Wood is sure to resonate with fans of Hozier’s soul-stirring melodies and introspective lyrics.
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio is a gripping literary thriller that unfolds within the dramatic backdrop of an elite Shakespearean acting troupe. Set at an exclusive arts college, the novel follows Oliver Marks as he recounts the events surrounding a tragic death that occurred years earlier, revealing a tangled web of secrets, rivalries, and betrayals among his close-knit group of friends. As Oliver grapples with his own guilt and the truth behind the tragedy, he must confront the blurred lines between performance and reality, loyalty and deception.
Rio’s masterful storytelling and rich character development immerse readers in a world of passion, ambition, and Shakespearean drama, where love and jealousy prove to be as deadly as any stage weapon. Against the backdrop of the Bard’s timeless works, If We Were Villains explores themes of fate, morality, and the consequences of unchecked desire.
Hozier fans will find parallels between the novel’s exploration of human frailty and the themes often found in his music, which delves into the complexities of love, sin, and redemption. Like Hozier’s soul-stirring melodies, If We Were Villains offers a compelling examination of the darker aspects of human nature and the transformative power of art.
A History of Loneliness by John Boyne
A History of Loneliness by John Boyne is a poignant exploration of guilt, faith, and the complexities of human relationships in Ireland. The novel follows the life of Father Odran Yates, whose journey from a sheltered upbringing to priesthood is marked by a series of profound encounters and moral dilemmas. As Odran grapples with the scandals rocking the Catholic Church and the repercussions of his own actions, he confronts the haunting specter of loneliness and the elusive nature of redemption.
Boyne’s masterful storytelling and nuanced character development paint a vivid portrait of Ireland’s turbulent history and the enduring influence of Catholicism on its society. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Ireland, A History of Loneliness delves into themes of identity, complicity, and the search for meaning in a world plagued by moral ambiguity.
Hozier fans will appreciate the novel’s exploration of Ireland’s complex cultural and religious landscape, which resonates with the themes often found in his music. Through haunting melodies and evocative lyrics, Hozier captures the soul of Ireland, confronting issues of social injustice, institutional corruption, and the struggle for individual freedom. Like Hozier’s music, A History of Loneliness offers a profound meditation on the human condition, inviting readers to confront the shadows of the past and seek solace in the power of art and empathy.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern is a mesmerizing tale of magic, mystery, and love that unfolds within the labyrinthine depths of a hidden underground library. When graduate student Zachary Rawlins discovers a mysterious book containing a story from his own childhood, he embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of the Starless Sea, a realm of myth and legend. As Zachary delves deeper into the enigmatic world of the library, he encounters a cast of characters both real and fictional, each with their own connection to the timeless tale.
Morgenstern’s lyrical prose and intricate world-building create a spellbinding narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, weaving together multiple timelines and narratives with breathtaking skill. Through themes of storytelling, destiny, and the power of imagination, The Starless Sea invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and wonder.
Hozier fans will be drawn to the novel’s exploration of themes such as love, longing, and the search for meaning in a world of magic and mystery. Much like Hozier’s music, which often delves into the depths of human emotion and the mysteries of existence, The Starless Sea offers a richly immersive experience that resonates with the soul.
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland unveils a chilling modern fairy tale, where three peculiar sisters grapple with their mysterious past and the dark forces that haunt them. Iris Hollow and her older sisters, Grey and Vivi, are marked by a childhood disappearance that left them changed and shrouded in unsettling mystery. Now, as Iris strives to lead a normal life, the sudden disappearance of Grey thrusts them into a sinister journey to uncover the truth behind their enigmatic origins.
Sutherland’s narrative unfolds with eerie twists and turns, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural, as the sisters confront their own uncanny transformations and the ominous secrets lurking in their past. With each clue leading them deeper into a realm of darkness and danger, Iris and Vivi must confront the unsettling truth about their identity and the sinister forces that seek to claim them.
Hozier fans will appreciate House of Hollow for its haunting atmosphere and exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, and the allure of the unknown. Much like Hozier’s music, which often delves into the depths of human emotion and existential uncertainty, Sutherland’s novel offers a captivating journey into the mysteries of the human psyche and the enduring power of storytelling.
When I Sing, Mountains Dance by Irene Solà
A spellbinding novel that places one family’s tragedies against the uncontainable life force of the land itself.
Near a village high in the Pyrenees, Domènec wanders across a ridge, fancying himself more a poet than a farmer, to “reel off his verses over on this side of the mountain.” He gathers black chanterelles and attends to a troubled cow. And then storm clouds swell, full of electrifying power. Reckless, gleeful, they release their bolts of lightning, one of which strikes Domènec. He dies. The ghosts of seventeenth-century witches gather around him, taking up the chanterelles he’d harvested before going on their merry ways. So begins this novel that is as much about the mountains and the mushrooms as it is about the human dramas that unfold in their midst.
Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell is a collection of fantastical short stories that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural. From a group of vampires seeking solace in the acidic juices of lemon groves to a massage therapist with the power to heal through touch, each story transports readers to a world where the extraordinary intersects with the mundane. Russell’s vivid imagery and lyrical prose create an immersive reading experience that challenges perceptions of the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Hozier fans will find resonance in the themes explored in Vampires in the Lemon Grove, particularly the juxtaposition of light and darkness, and the exploration of human desires and fears. Much like Hozier’s music, which often delves into the complexities of existence and the mysteries of the human psyche, Russell’s stories offer a provocative exploration of the human condition. Through tales of love, loss, and transformation, both artists invite audiences to confront the shadows that linger within and embrace the beauty found amidst the darkness.
The Crimson Petal and The White by Michel Farber
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber is a sprawling Victorian epic that immerses readers in the seedy underbelly of 19th-century London. The novel follows the intertwining lives of Sugar, a young prostitute with ambitions of escaping her bleak existence, and William Rackham, a wealthy businessman trapped in a loveless marriage. As their paths collide, a complex web of desire, power, and betrayal unfolds, revealing the dark secrets that lurk beneath the facade of Victorian society.
Fans of historical fiction will be captivated by Faber’s richly detailed portrayal of Victorian London, from its opulent drawing rooms to its squalid back alleys. Through vivid prose and meticulous research, Faber brings to life a world on the brink of profound change, where class divides and societal conventions dictate the fates of its inhabitants.
Hozier fans will appreciate the thematic resonance between The Crimson Petal and the White and his music, particularly in its exploration of forbidden desires, societal taboos, and the struggle for liberation. Like Hozier’s soul-stirring melodies and introspective lyrics, Faber’s novel invites readers to confront the complexities of human nature and the enduring quest for freedom and redemption.
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