Tia Gostelow may be relatively new to books, but she's always had an ear for a good story. Her latest single Sour, which offers a glimpse into her upcoming album Head Noise, took shape following an interaction the 23-year-old singer-songwriter had in which a guy was flirting with her and she was completely oblivious. Sour takes this kernel of truth and runs with it, and as Gostelow admits, "I definitely took the liberty of embellishing the story".

With Sour out in the world, we caught up with Tia Gostelow to discuss the stories holding her attention. From Sally Rooney to Jessie Cave, below Gostelow chats her newfound love of reading and the book that changed her life.

The last book I read…

Beautiful World, Where Are You? By Sally Rooney. I really love how Sally encapsulates what being a young adult is like and all of the different situations and relationships we find ourselves in. This book in particular reminded me that it’s okay to be in different places and phases in life to people that are your age.

I am currently reading…

Three Women by Lisa Taddeo! I found this book at the airport while I was between playing shows (I love airport books) and there wasn’t much written on the blurb but it seemed interesting it me. It focuses on the lives of 3 different women from different backgrounds and their emotional and sexual experiences. Lisa spent a decade researching the lives of women, even moving to their cities to become more immersed in their world. I’ve only just started reading it but I’m really interested to see where it goes.

My favourite book…

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reid. I usually don’t like reading anything that has to do with music, I feel like my whole life is consumed by music so when I read it’s a chance for me to separate myself from it for a minute so I was a bit unsure if I’d like Daisy Jones. I was so wrong, I fell in love with it straight away. I think it was really cool to be back in an era that I didn’t get to experience. I feel like the music scene in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s would have been incredible and I think I got to really imagine it while I was reading this.

My actual favourite book…

I loved Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens so much! The language used in this was obviously relative to the time it was set in and I found it interesting to read. This was the first book that I had read and then seen the movie afterwards, and now I really understand what people mean when they say the book is soooo much better. I think it cemented my love for reading and all of the details and imagery you get from it. There’s nothing like creating a version of the world you’re reading about in your mind. It’s so individual to the reader and I think that’s really special.

The character I most identify with is…

I don’t think I’ve ever really identified with a character. Reading is an escape from everything going on around me and in my life so I love getting lost in the story and not thinking about anything else.

The book that changed my life is… 

Heartstrong by Ellidy Pullin. I haven’t found an autobiography that I’ve liked but I’ve been following Ellidy on social media for a while and her story always pulls on the heart strings. It was a beautiful read and really made me take a step back and appreciate the people I love even more.

The best book I ever received is…

I was given Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton for Christmas in 2020 and that book was the one that got me hooked on reading. My mum is an avid reader and has been my whole life and she’s definitely tried to get me to read before but when she gave me Boy Swallows Universe something clicked and now all I want for Christmas is a new book!

The book I would give as a gift is…

I would say either Sunset by Jessie Cave or Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz. Both are pretty sad stories but I think they both put life into perspective. Before You Knew My Name was an inspiration for some songs I wrote last year and it made me reflect on how sometimes I don’t feel safe as a woman when I should. The message of women needing to feel safe wherever they are is something anyone and everyone can learn from.

My childhood favourite book…

I honestly didn’t read much as a kid but I do remember my parents reading me The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I think I went through the Diary of a Wimpy Kid phase too haha!

My favourite writer is… 

I’m pretty new to reading to be honest so I think I’m still exploring genres and writers but I really love Christian White as a thriller writer! Taylor Jenkins-Reid is a fave too.

The book everyone should read at least once is…

Verity by Colleen Hoover. I literally read it in 2 days, I couldn’t put it down! I could read it again and again. It’s a great novel if you want a bit of a thriller and some twists and turns.

Tilly Lawless on literary evolutions and the book that brought her to tears.