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Wow, you guys totally made our weekend.
The results of the Convince Me posts were extraordinary. There were some suggestions we've already read and some we've never heard of before. We're so happy to have all these great reading suggestions; we're even a little antsy, knowing there's so many books out there we need to read.
But there can only be one one, and the one book we'll read and review is "American Skin" by Don Degrazia, suggested by James and seconded by many of you. We grew up in the mid-eighties too. We would head down to Belmont and Clark, all decked out in our North Shore finest, our fake punk make-up covering half our face. We would dance at Medusa's, doing our best Molly Ringwald, while the true punks and city kids were surely laughing at us. Ah, good times.
Look for our review of "American Skin" at the end of August; then we'll also ask for a new book to review.
Happy Monday.
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i am so honored with the shout out. literary snobs [the same sorts who are prone to worship of royko without ever having met the guy] may smirk and sniff, but it's a great read, especially for summer. and the author is a writing teacher at columbia if that counts for anything. just try to resist the 'i coulda written this' thoughts, because well, you [and i] didn't and degrazia did. it's especially fun if you were part of that scene, trying to decipher who the actual people were who he fictionalizes.
A book doesn't have to be the deepest thing ever to be a good book right?
I'm looking forward to it and will read it with an open mind.
This is a great book if you were part of the hardcore scene back in the 80s. It'll make ya cry with nostalgia. You may have to shave your head just for old times sake.
But beside the notalgia appeal, this is a great read too. Degrazia's a great writer.
So crank up some Naked Raygun, lace up yer books, pop open an Old Style and get into it!
This is a great book if you were part of the hardcore scene back in the 80s. It'll make ya cry with nostalgia. You may have to shave your head just for old times sake.
But beside the notalgia appeal, this is a great read too. Degrazia's a great writer.
So crank up some Naked Raygun, lace up yer books, pop open an Old Style and get into it!
so, do i get a prize? huh, huh, do i?
[i'd settle for a beer, though ;)
Stupid question: So much praise I've heard over the years for this book has to do with nostalgia for the old punk scence.
How much does nostalgia factor into your tastes in art and literatuure? (I realize this post is old, therefore probably won't get seen by many, but I'd thought I'd ask.)
Disclosure: While the book is well written and most entertaining, I don't really think "American Skin" is a great book by any means.
It´s actually critically acclaimed. The Washington Post called it brilliant, The New York Times called it darkly captivating, etc., and I doubt any of those critics were hanging around Belmont back in the 80´s. Everyone has different tastes, but I don´t think it´s a bad thing that so many people have a personal affection for this book and found it fun to read.