Every June (well every one since the last June) I fill my month by reading Rock & Roll Books and dub it June Rocks. I’m not sure why I’m so excited for this reading excursion, because last year’s selections were kind of a bust ranging from Meh to Barf. Not good at all.
So this year, i have tentatively filled my schedule with:
- Roses & Thorns by Bret Michaels
- It Still Moves: Lost Songs, Lost Highways, and the Search for the Next American Music by Amanda Petrusich
- What Would Keith Richards Do? Daily Affirmations from a Rock and Roll Survivor by Jessica Pallington West
As you can see it’s heavy on the non-fiction. I’m taking requests for fictional Rock & Roller books (with the exception of Arthur Phillips’ The Song is You because I am reading that one now. Clearly, my exuberance to read that book got in the way of my planning).
I’d also like to dig into some sort of Rock & Roll graphic novel (obviously not Local because I already loved it).
So what say ye, Darling Ones? Give me some suggestions.
Ok.. I have two possible suggestions for music related comics…
Phonogram – Rue Britannia. It’s a mix of fantasy and music. If the fantasy elements throw you off, I hear their current series The Singles Club is more reality based.
Also, The Scott Pilgrim series from Oni Press. Music, relationship angst, video games, and manga all smooshed together. It’s quite good.
“How Soon Is Never” by Mark Spitz. Fiction. One man’s attempt to get the Smiths to reunite. Or do you hate the Smiths? I didn’t love it, but I liked it enough.
I second the Scott Pilgrim & Phonogram, and I’ll add The Amazing Joy Buzzards. It’s so much fun.
Ooo Scott Pilgrim, yes. I haven’t read “Freddie & Me” by Mike Dawson but I’ve heard good things.
I’d like to recommend “Stealing Margo” and “Smoking Jimi.” These new rock-fiction paperbacks were just released through Amazon. See at chadwrite.com
Mikal Gilmore’s “Stories Done.” He has a wonderful writing style.
I just picked up Ben Greenman’s “Please Step Back” when he came through SF; it sounds really good — a novel based loosely on Sly Stone
http://bengreenman.com/content/?page_id=233
I second Ben Greenman’s new novel (he can do no literary wrong by me), he even wrote a theme song for it:
http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2009/04/ben_greenman_sw.html
(Plus he did an interview on LHB with Rhett Miller about music & books)
I’m actually a little embarrassed that I spaced the Greenman book. I knew it was coming out and that it fit, and then. . .
Have you read that Amplified collection yet? Worthy of my attention?
Did you ever review the Greenman novel? I just got it and I’m about halfway through and I love it. Such as sad story.
Lanie, I haven’t even gotten the Greenman novel, but it’s on my list for June.