Reading Diaries #1: A spine-chilling, yet peaceful enchantment of re-reading Wuthering Heights in Galway at night

(Reading Diaries #2 was published before. Reading Diaries #1 is labeled as such as this was written before Reading Diaries #2. This was also written before it was announced that a new adaptation featuring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie is going to be made.)

The first time I ever read "Wuthering Heights" was October of 2023. This is one book that really stuck with me and is by far my favorite piece of gothic literature ever. I recently purchased a copy of "Wuthering Heights" —more specifically, my second copy— at a bookstore in Galway. 

I can't put into words of a single feeling to describe what it was like to read one of my favorite classics on that wet Autumn October day on the bus ride from Galway to Dublin, glimpsing between the pages I'm reading and admiring the sky out the window as it darkens and turns to evening. 

Despite the very limited time I got to view the countryside landscape of Ireland from a bus passenger's perspective (although we were able to catch a train to Galway in the morning, we went on a Friday and all the train rides back to Dublin were booked!), I must say that I am very grateful to have experienced at least once in my life, a moment of feeling enchanted, spine-chilled, and peaceful all at once. 

This playlist is inspired by the tragic love of Heathcliff and Cathy.

1.) "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence 

"Frozen inside without your touch, without your love
Darling, only you are the life among the dead"

If Heathcliff and Cathy were real people, I definitely picture them to be living in the early 2000s era listening to alternative rock and dressed in emo fashion.

Their passion for each other and obsession is just so irrational.

2.) "Once Upon A Dream" by Lana Del Rey 

This song sets off major gothic vibes and sounds fitting for the ending of the novel, where rumor has it that the ghosts of Cathy and Heathcliff forever wander the moors...spooky!

3.) "Where's My Love" by SYML

Sure, Heathcliff may be that cold anti-hero, but deep inside, he probably listens to this behind closed doors. 

4.) "The Night We Met" 

If another film adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" were made, the producers should definitely add this one to their soundtrack. It sounds like something Heathcliff listened to the day that he found out Cathy died.

7.) "Born to Die"

This is the song that Cathy listened to when she locked herself in her room and went mad when Heathcliff left.

"Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane, so
Choose your last words, this is the last time
'Cause you and I, we were born to die"

8.) "Dark Paradise"

"You said I killed you – haunt me then!” - Chapter 16, "Wuthering Heights"

"Loving you forever can't be wrong
Even though you're not here, won't move on
Ahh
That's how we played it
And there's no remedy for memory, your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine
But I wish I was dead (dead, like you)"

8.) "My Immortal" by Evanascence 

This song is so Heathcliff.

'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal, this pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me