Ashley Crookham's Writing

The countdown is officially in the single digits. In exactly one week, this book leaves the safety of my laptop and enters the world. I feel a strange mix of electric nerves and quiet relief. I am finally at the finish line, or perhaps just the starting blocks of a new race.

I know that for many of you, a story is not just something you see on a page. It is an atmosphere. If you are worried about what to listen to while you dive into these chapters, I have a solution.

I am sharing the official playlist for the book today. These songs are the secret architecture of the narrative. They are the tracks that played in my head while I wrote about the messy, beautiful, and sometimes awkward reality of finding your people.

I Was Just So Lonely Playlist

What is on the list?

This collection of music is deeply personal. It includes:

• Maryland Roots: Songs that remind me of growing up in Maryland, from the humid summer nights to the specific rhythm of life there.
• The History of Us: Tracks that make me think of every friend I have ever had. The ones who stayed, the ones who drifted, and the ones who changed my life.
• The Almost-Friends: Perhaps most importantly, there are songs dedicated to the “friends I tried to have.” These are for the moments of trying too hard, the failed coffee dates, and the vulnerable search for a connection that just didn’t quite fit.

Enjoy!