Use of songs in a novel

[Manang Muyang]

For me, this is the first book that features a song for every chapter; the chapter title is, in fact, the song title. I believe it cannot be avoided here as the book was inspired by Adele and her songs, specifically the Adele 25 album. (The book has 25 chapters and ends with the first line of the Oscar-winning song "Skyfall" which is "This is the end.")

It is basically a tribute to Adele and her songs, so I am really amazed at how they made all the songs fit the story (or perhaps, the story fit the songs). (I am also concerned about possible copyright trouble.)

[Anirudh Badri]

I generally find that songs within books end up detracting from the story. While a well-placed line or stanza can be poignant, whole songs end up being monotonous and cause me to get bored.

[jwalker73]

I have read books with quotes, poetry and some lines from songs. I do not recall reading a book where the quotes all came from one person. I personally feel the use of lyrics in this case would have been more effective if they had been interwoven through selected chapters rather than routinely at the end.

[raikyuu]

I was bored by the songs and skipped them. I didn't read a novel involving songs, but I have read novels involving quotes which I liked.

Same here, I just skipped those pages. I do like well placed quotes in novels as well.

I agree with you two. If it's a tune I know, I may recognize it by the chorus lines. However, I'm not that big of an Adele fan and I don't like to listen to music while I read because it's very distracting to me, so I would never go out of my way to put the music on.

The songs are merely decorations for Adele fans. One can remove the songs, and the novel will still be the same.

[jaliper]

I like quotes and poetry more! But if the song is original that that's better.

[Colleen0701]

Once read a book where a wife sang its a wonderful world to her quadriplegic husband. I ll never forget the passage or the song.

[Sindhu Srinath]

I haven't read one using songs like this before. True, a couple of stories had a song or two which were sung by the characters themselves according to the situation (school song, anthem, performance, humming, etc.) but this was a totally new approach. I sang the ones I knew in my head and I was very eager to hear the rest. The songs made a great binding factor.

[EWinters]

I love when poems are included if they add or extend the story. I'm indifferent to quotes, and songs I like on a case-by-case basis.

[Ubyamos]

I like songs in novels, it makes the book more interesting. If I don't know the tune, I search for it online, especially if the lyrics is interesting.

[hannahbm13]

Truthfully, I am not a fan of songs included in books. I tend to skip over them, especially when I'm not sure how it goes, so I can't sing it in my head.

[k2rugman]

Songs in books makes me think of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I really enjoy J.R.R Tolkin's songs and poems. I feel like since they are "cultural" songs it gives more depth to the history of the characters and their race (hobbits, dwarves, etc).

[Jazmin Elise]

I've never read a book before involving lyrics. I did like the idea though. While reading My Trip to Adele I did not listen to any of the music. I did try to listen to a few songs after I finished the book. Though I was able to more understand how the characters were feeling with the help of the music, it wasn't completely necessary. I liked the book but it didn't make me like Adele any more or less.

[Colleen0701]

Same here didn't influence my feelings towards the artist. I like quotes and poetry more.

[FireFairy]

I love it when a book either includes a playlist, or song titles, or quotes. I have a deep connection to books and music and can relate to both of them on different levels, so to combine the two is awesome. Plus if I go and listen to the song I feel like I can feel even more emotion from the book and really understand what the author was trying to convey.

[Sunnyridge]

I like the concept but it was a bit overdone in A Trip to Adele. Maybe if it was an audible book and it was sung?