Cowboy Carter: Book and Song Pairings That Fit the Vibes

If your weekend plans don’t include listening to Beyoncé’s new album Cowboy Cater on repeat and opening one of these books to fit the vibe, what are you even doing? 🤠

We can’t stop listening to Beyoncé’s new album Cowboy Cater! In fact, several of the tracks on the album remind us of some of our favorite old, new, and upcoming YA books. If you’re looking to keep the good vibes going all month long, check out our Cowboy Carter book and song pairings. Just grab the books that pair best with your favorite songs, turn on the tunes, and enjoy!

Pair Beyoncé’s “Ameriican Requiem” with This Is My America by Kim Johnson

This Is My America

This Is My America

The Hate U Give meets Just Mercy in this unflinching yet uplifting first novel that explores the racist injustices in the American justice system.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Blackbiird” with Chaos Theory by Nic Stone

Chaos Theory

Chaos Theory

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental disorder and a politician’s son who is running from his own addiction and grief. Don’t miss this gut punch of a novel about mental health, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love.

Scars exist to remind us of what we’ve survived.

Pair Beyoncé’s “16 Carraiges” with Vinyl Moon by Mahogany L. Browne

Vinyl Moon

Vinyl Moon

A teen girl hiding the scars of a past relationship finds home and healing in the words of strong Black writers. A beautiful sophomore novel from a critically acclaimed author and poet that explores how words have the power to shape and uplift our world even in the midst of pain.

When Darius told Angel he loved her, she believed him.

Pair Beyoncé’s “My Rose” with House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig

House of Roots and Ruin

House of Roots and Ruin

A modern masterpiece, this is a classic Gothic thriller-fantasy from bestselling author Erin A. Craig, about doomed love, menacing ambition, and the ghosts that haunt us forever.

In a manor by the sea, one sister is still cursed.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” with Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses by Katrina Emmel

Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses

Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses

A swoon-worthy YA rivals-to-lovers romance between a Nebraskan cowboy and California girl, thrust together on the Oregon Trail.

Anything’s possible under a prairie sky . . .

Pair Beyoncé’s “Bodyguard” with You Bet Your Heart by Danielle Parker

You Bet Your Heart

You Bet Your Heart

A riveting, swoon-worthy teen romance centered on two high achievers fighting for the title of high school valedictorian and falling in love along the way, from debut author Danielle Parker.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Jolene” with Queen Bee by Amalie Howard

Queen Bee

Queen Bee

A teen girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!

Pair Beyoncé’s “Daughter” with Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian

Castles in Their Bones

Castles in Their Bones

A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Spaghettii” with Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes

Nubia: The Awakening

Nubia: The Awakening

From beloved actor and producer Omar Epps and writer Clarence A. Haynes comes the biggest epic fantasy of the year. A powerful saga of three teens, the children of refugees from a fallen African utopia, who must navigate their newfound powers in a climate-ravaged New York City. Perfect for fans of Black Panther and Children of Blood and Bone.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Alliigator Tears” with The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

The Sun Is Also a Star

The Sun Is Also a Star

The #1 New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist from the bestselling author of Everything, Everything will have you falling in love with Natasha and Daniel as they fall in love with each other!

Pair Beyoncé’s “Just for Fun” with Color Me In by Natasha Díaz

Color Me In

Color Me In

A powerful coming-of-age novel, pulled from personal experience, about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.

Pair Beyoncé’s “II Most Wanted” with Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West

Places We've Never Been

Places We've Never Been

A sweet and swoony contemporary young adult novel about a cross-country family road trip that puts one girl and her childhood best friend on an unexpected road to romance!

Pair Beyoncé’s “Leviis Jeans” with The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

The first novel in the wildly popular #1 New York Times bestselling Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, from the author of The Whole Thing Together and The Here and Now.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Flamenco” with Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett

Friday I'm in Love

Friday I'm in Love

It’s too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride.

“A perfect ode to romantic comedies, wrapped in a dazzling rainbow dress.” —Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl

Pair Beyoncé’s “Ya Ya” with House Party edited by justin a. reynolds

House Party

House Party

Ten bestselling, critically acclaimed authors deliver a fresh novel of interconnected stories that follows a group of young adults over the course of a few wild, transformative hours at an epic house party!

Pair Beyoncé’s “Oh Louisiana” with Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Blood at the Root

Blood at the Root

A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical. Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Desert Eagle” with Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren

Adventures of Mary Jane

Adventures of Mary Jane

In this brand new reimagining, Mary Jane—the red-headed spark from Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, who stole Huck’s heart in just 30 pages—comes to life with her own story of adventuring down the Mississippi River in the 1840s.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Riiverdance” with Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

Instructions for Dancing

Instructions for Dancing

In this romantic page-turner from the author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star, Evie has the power to see other people’s romantic fates—what will happen when she finally sees her own?

Pair Beyoncé’s “II Hands II Heaven” with Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne

Chlorine Sky

Chlorine Sky

“An absolute masterpiece.” -Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X

From the first ever poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center comes a bold coming-of-age story told in verse about a young woman who loses a best friend, but finds herself in the process. The joys of basketball, the tumult of high school, and the bonds of family are lyrically woven together in this must-read novel.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Tyrant” with The Black Queen by Jumata Emill

The Black Queen

The Black Queen

Nova Albright was going to be the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High—but now she’s dead. Murdered on coronation night. Fans of One of Us Is Lying and The Other Black Girl will love this unputdownable thriller.

Pair Beyoncé’s “Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckiin’” with Nevertheless We Persisted, foreword by Amy Klobuchar Edited by In This Together Media

Nevertheless, We Persisted

Nevertheless, We Persisted

By Array

A powerful collection of essays from actors, activists, athletes, politicians, musicians, writers, and teens, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, actress Alia Shawkat, actor Maulik Pancholy, poet Azure Antoinette, teen activist Gavin Grimm, and many, many others, each writing about a time in their youth when they were held back because of their race, gender, or sexual identity—but persisted.

Did you enjoy our Cowboy Carter book and song pairings? Discover more book pairings here and get social with us at @getunderlined!

Underlined