WinterHaven Books: Blog Tour: Character Playlist from Stacey Lee!

Today I am joining in the blog tour for Stacey Lee! Her latest novel Outrun the Moon releases on May 24th and believe me you want this book! It is amazing!! For my stop Stacey has made an awesome character playlist!

Mercy with her ‘bossy cheeks’ knows how to get things done. I imagine if she lived in the present era, she would’ve probably enjoyed upbeat, empowering girl songs. Plus, their jumpy beats would power her through the rolling hills of San Francisco.

(In alphabetical order)

1. Fight Song, by Rachel Platten.
This one is simply about believing in yourself. This line is the most apropos to Mercy, whose small deed post-earthquake makes a large impact: “with a single match, you can make an explosion.”

2. Fighter, by Christina Aguilera.
Christina thanks the guy who did her wrong, for making her a ‘fighter.’ She’s faster and smarter and her skin is thicker. Mercy feels the same way about the obstacles in her path.

3. Mean, by Taylor Swift.
This one was written for the people who push you around and bring you down. Mercy gets her unfair share of those, and I imagine this song could’ve helped her deal with them.

4. No, by Meghan Trainor.
This is all girl-power. We girls are socialized to believe we have to be agreeable and get along, but Meghan shows us the power of two little letters: NO.

5. Roar, by Katy Perry.
This song is about how not to let people’s opinions of you make you feel small. All you need to do is stand up and roar.

6. Run the World, by Beyoncé.
Girls run the world, according to Beyoncé. She could easily have been singing about Mercy and the young women of St. Clare’s who don’t let an earthquake stop them from doing the unthinkable, starting a kitchen with no food or supplies.

7. Something in the Way You Move, by Ellie Goulding
I chose this song to represent how Mercy feels about Tom. She’s not always sure whether they will end up together, but she can’t help being drawn to the sure way he moves.

8. Stronger, Britney Spears.
A song about how overcoming loneliness can actually empower one.
You might think that I won’t make it on my own. 
But now I’m stronger, than yesterday. 
Now it’s nothing but my way. 
My loneliness ain’t killing me no more. 
I, I’m stronger.

9. Stronger, by Kelly Clarkson.
This anthem will get your heart pumping again after it’s broken.
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

10. Shake it Off, Taylor Swift
A bouncy song about how to handle gossips and haters, as well as grouchy crones and haughty heiresses.

11. Superwoman by Alicia Keys.
Even when she’s troubled, and sorrowful, Alicia (and Mercy) is a superwoman.
Even when I'm a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I'm a Superwoman

12. Survivor, Destiny’s Child.
As the song says, Mercy’s not gonna give up, she’s not gonna stop, she’s gonna work harder, she’s a survivor.

13. Umbrella, by Rihanna.
This one’s about the power of friendship. When it rains, friends let friends stand under their umbrellas. When the city crumbles, friends let friends use the pages of their comportment book for toilet paper. Works the same.

14. Unbreakable Smile, by Tori Kelly.
Love this upbeat song about living a meaningful life.
I wanna make a difference
Change other people’s lives, give hope, even for a moment
I also love that she says being kind is not a weakness. Mercy is kind to others, but she doesn’t let people walk on her.

15. Wings by Little Mix.
A jumpy track about rising above the riffraff. Mercy’s mama would’ve given her the same advice.
Mama told me not to waste my life
She said spread your wings my little butterfly
Don't let what they say keep you up at night
And if they give you shhhh
Then they can walk on by

To listen to each song click HERE

Stacey thank you SOO much for this amazing playlist! I love when I can put a song with a book and I will definitely have these songs during my reread!!

Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's and Sons Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 24th, 2016
Purchase: Amazon

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.

On April 18, an historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Mercy can't sit by while they wait for the Army to bring help. Fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, yet Mercy still has the 'bossy' cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenaged girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?