Et cetera : What We're Reading: Songs for Other People’s Weddings

Review of ‘Songs for Other People’s Weddings’ by David Levithan, songs by Jens Lekman

This is a brand-new book in adult fiction, centering on wedding singer ‘J.’ For some unknown reason, both J and V, his girlfriend, are known only by their first initials. They have lived together for 2 years and are comfortable in their relationship. Although their apartment and home life are in Sweden, J travels extensively world-wide, singing for weddings; singing songs that he has written specifically for the individual couple. Since he is so popular, J gets numerous requests every day for his services.

Meanwhile, V worked for a publishing house until it closed down. Now she works for a nineteen-year-old genius who runs an organization known as Secret Project. V’s boss is called Thor, although it is not his birth name. As a kid, he programmed an online system for himself and his friends. Now he runs this new company that few people understand. V is hired to handle his PR. Suddenly, Secret Project ‘takes off’ and Thor needs V to go with him to New York ‘for a week or two,’ but things don’t go that way.

This story is set up as ten weddings, one for each chapter. Connecting all of them is the backstory of J and V’s relationship. I had an interest in J’s occupation and the conversations that enabled him to write an original love song for each wedding. I really enjoyed the way the book ended, which is unusual for me. It wasn’t one of my favorite reads, and I can only give it 5 out of 10 stars. Goodreads gave the rating of 3.26/5. Available at the Vinton Public Library and on the Libby app, pick it up and give it a try! Relax and read!

Love,

Connie