Books recommended by BTS' RM
May 28 2024
Who else has been listening to “Come Back to Me” in anticipation of RM’s brand new album “Right Place, Wrong Person” (depending on where you are in the world!)??? I know I have. I’ve been a very proud ARMY since I was 14—so for 8 years, and still going strong! Since then, I’ve not only collected my fair share of BTS albums, but also books that they’ve referred to in their music, in interviews, or on their social media pages. 
The books that RM loves
To celebrate RM’s newest album, I thought I would share a few of his book recommendations and match them to some of the songs he’s released as a solo artist. So, for example, if you chose X song, you’ll get Y book—-sounds good? Let’s get to it!For fans of “Tokyo” from RM’s “mono.” album…Read “Almond” by Won Pyung-Sohn
I’m sure many RM fans have heard of this book before, as it’s a title that specifically went viral due to being one of RM’s favorites. The novel follows the story of a boy, Yunjae, with a condition called Alexithymia, which makes it difficult for him to experience emotions like fear and anger. It focuses on the bond and contrast between him and another boy, Gon, who, unlike him, feels too much. It perfectly embodies the helplessness and doubt that can be felt in “Tokyo.”For fans of “Come Back to Me” from RM’s newest album, “Wrong Place, Right Person”...Read “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes
I mean… come on! The song title, the plot of the book; they just fall together too nicely not to recommend Moyes’ heartbreaking love story. New friendships that lead to something more, grief, depression, and self-growth—this book is an achingly beautiful love story that many of us have likely already read and/or watched the film. Matching it with RM’s song that has lines like “Come back to me/ Like you used to/ Now, I could see/ What a life is about,” is a must.For fans of “Still Life” from RM’s “Indigo” album…Read “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera
The moment I saw this quote from Kundera’s novel: “We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come,” I just KNEW I had to match it to “Still Life.” The upbeatness of the song may not match the slower tone of this book, but just look at this line from RM’s song and tell me it doesn’t SCREAM “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”: “The past is gone, and the future is unclear (Oh-oh)/ I catch my breath at a fork in the road/ I want to escape the frame of this canvas (Oh-oh)/ The shadow cast over me by yesterday and tomorrow/ I just calmly livе everytime (Oh-oh)”BONUS REC: If you’re a fan of BTS’ “Sea” from their album “Love Yourself: Her”...Read “1Q84” by Haruki Murakami
Fun fact: A few years back at a press conference for the BTS album “Love Yourself: Her,” the group leader, RM, revealed that the hidden track “Sea” had been inspired by Murakami’s “1Q84.”DOUBLE BONUS REC!!: If you’re a fan of BTS’ album “WINGS” …Read “Demian” by Hermann Hesse
Another fun fact! All 7 members of BTS read this book specifically for their album “WINGS.” RM was even seen reading the book backstage during a music video shoot in 2015. Craving some more RM book recs? Check out the list I’ve put together for you in the comments! And don’t hesitate to share your favorite RM/BTS track while you’re at it.Almond
By Won-pyung SohnMe Before You
By Jojo MoyesThe Unbearable Lightness of Being
By Milan Kundera1Q84
By Haruki MurakamiDemian
By Herman HesseKeep reading on Fable
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