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A Song Apart
Rising pop singer Shannon Kistler never expected to see college student Kevin Derow on a Manhattan street wearing her concert shirt. But she offers gratitude in her own way, leaving her biggest fan in shock. When the two teenagers meet again six days later, Shannon slips Kevin her phone number, and the unlikely romance begins. Soon they find they have several things in lonely childhoods, a passion for music, and making unpopular choices about their own lives. The public cannot take Shannon seriously as a teenaged recording artist, but she risks her sudden success by making some public mistakes after breaking into a soulless music industry with unusual ease. Meanwhile Kevin loses the respect of family, friends and coworkers over the girl he idolizes–and unwittingly blows the lid off a payola scheme devised by Shannon’s record label, threatening her career and possibly his own freedom. A Song Apart revolves around two young people from distinct backgrounds who choose to follow their hearts rather than their peers and find a greater reward at the end of their paths.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 23, 2013
This book is a must read for music fans, but I don't think you have to be a music fan to enjoy the story. It's a clever story, very well written, and an exceptional debut novel.
It kept me hooked from the start. I enjoyed the humour. Poor Kevin Derow seems to be the unluckiest man in the world, just being himself he attracts so much negativity. By wearing a T-shirt to support a singer he admires, he is ambushed by a sequence of different characters, random strangers, like the builders on a local construction site, a group of strangers on a train, his colleagues at the Jewish Society at university, his coworkers... the list goes on. I think the message the author is trying to get across is that when someone stands out from the crowd, it's not always a great place to be. The quote from the author at the beginning of the book, sums it up: "Enjoy a good challenge? Try being yourself. It's tougher than you think." It's definitely tough for the two main characters, Kevin and Shannon.
When Kevin meets his idol, Shannon Kistler, a famous pop star, he is slowly drawn into her world, and soon they become a couple.
Kevin admires Shannon because she knew what she wanted at such a young age and accomplished her dreams, while he had some aspirations for a musical career but instead started a course in accountancy, and does not really seem to be sure what he wants to do.
The book deals with, among other things, the subjects of media intrusion, unscrupulous dealings within the press and the music industry, relationships, peer pressure, autism, and bullying. It's an entertaining book that looks at such topics as the preconceptions people have about music fans and musicians, from a different angle.
It's a love story, a story about family relationships, a story about how our differences make us unique but how it can also take a lot of courage to face up to them and follow our own individual path.
I liked the original song lyrics in the book, which were songs Kevin had written.
There is just so much to love about this novel. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
It kept me hooked from the start. I enjoyed the humour. Poor Kevin Derow seems to be the unluckiest man in the world, just being himself he attracts so much negativity. By wearing a T-shirt to support a singer he admires, he is ambushed by a sequence of different characters, random strangers, like the builders on a local construction site, a group of strangers on a train, his colleagues at the Jewish Society at university, his coworkers... the list goes on. I think the message the author is trying to get across is that when someone stands out from the crowd, it's not always a great place to be. The quote from the author at the beginning of the book, sums it up: "Enjoy a good challenge? Try being yourself. It's tougher than you think." It's definitely tough for the two main characters, Kevin and Shannon.
When Kevin meets his idol, Shannon Kistler, a famous pop star, he is slowly drawn into her world, and soon they become a couple.
Kevin admires Shannon because she knew what she wanted at such a young age and accomplished her dreams, while he had some aspirations for a musical career but instead started a course in accountancy, and does not really seem to be sure what he wants to do.
The book deals with, among other things, the subjects of media intrusion, unscrupulous dealings within the press and the music industry, relationships, peer pressure, autism, and bullying. It's an entertaining book that looks at such topics as the preconceptions people have about music fans and musicians, from a different angle.
It's a love story, a story about family relationships, a story about how our differences make us unique but how it can also take a lot of courage to face up to them and follow our own individual path.
I liked the original song lyrics in the book, which were songs Kevin had written.
There is just so much to love about this novel. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 18, 2012
Shannon Kistler and Kevin Derow. Two teens seemingly world's apart that are about to find out it matters not how you got your start...its what you do with the chances you're given....or at least that's my best guess at the intended message. Allow me to explain my confusion...
Shannon seems like a likeable enough girl. Yes, she got some grand breaks in life and sure, some may be jealous that she rose to glory and fame so quickly but does she deserve to be hated by pretty much one and all? Not in my book and yet everyone has such a visceral reaction to her very presence you'd think she had typhoid or something. Same goes for her number one fan, Kevin.
Kevin is certainly not on the fast track to success or anything but to be beaten down (verbally and physically) by his friends, family and heck, even strangers he's merely passing on the street simply because his fashion sense may need some help? I'd say it's a bit extreme. I can't say I've ever run into that large a group of random people that would be in such an uproar over a shirt or one fans love of an artist. The reactions just didn't seem authentic given the situation or perhaps we're missing a needed back story to explain the vehemence felt.
In any case, the unlikely (yet plausible) meeting of these two wayward souls sets off a chain of events that both betters and worsens their respective lives. You'd think dating a celebrity would be all roses and sunshine but here it's anything but. The celebrity getting to spend time as a average Joe (or Susan as she is a she) allows for the human side of her to emerge from the media personality but not for a long enough time for you to really care about her.
On the positive side, I will say I enjoyed the author's quote at the beginning..."Enjoy a good challenge? Try being yourself. It's tougher than you think." Very true. Also, the lyrics included for Kevin's song are a perfect picture of his devotion to Shannon and the respect he has for her work. Lastly, the ending was a sweet (if not slightly predictable) success. I wasn't quite sure where it would all end up seeing as how the story was going in all directions...but I was hopeful and justly rewarded. Would a sequel be called for? Probably not although the ending allows for it should the author choose to pursue that avenue.
In summary, not my particular cup of tea but perhaps I simply missed some of the key ingredients in my reading of it. Everyone's perception of a story is different and if a kinship with the characters is felt, it gives the story greater merit. A potential read then for struggling artists out there looking for a glimpse inside the world of music and just how far a fans adoration can really take you.
Shannon seems like a likeable enough girl. Yes, she got some grand breaks in life and sure, some may be jealous that she rose to glory and fame so quickly but does she deserve to be hated by pretty much one and all? Not in my book and yet everyone has such a visceral reaction to her very presence you'd think she had typhoid or something. Same goes for her number one fan, Kevin.
Kevin is certainly not on the fast track to success or anything but to be beaten down (verbally and physically) by his friends, family and heck, even strangers he's merely passing on the street simply because his fashion sense may need some help? I'd say it's a bit extreme. I can't say I've ever run into that large a group of random people that would be in such an uproar over a shirt or one fans love of an artist. The reactions just didn't seem authentic given the situation or perhaps we're missing a needed back story to explain the vehemence felt.
In any case, the unlikely (yet plausible) meeting of these two wayward souls sets off a chain of events that both betters and worsens their respective lives. You'd think dating a celebrity would be all roses and sunshine but here it's anything but. The celebrity getting to spend time as a average Joe (or Susan as she is a she) allows for the human side of her to emerge from the media personality but not for a long enough time for you to really care about her.
On the positive side, I will say I enjoyed the author's quote at the beginning..."Enjoy a good challenge? Try being yourself. It's tougher than you think." Very true. Also, the lyrics included for Kevin's song are a perfect picture of his devotion to Shannon and the respect he has for her work. Lastly, the ending was a sweet (if not slightly predictable) success. I wasn't quite sure where it would all end up seeing as how the story was going in all directions...but I was hopeful and justly rewarded. Would a sequel be called for? Probably not although the ending allows for it should the author choose to pursue that avenue.
In summary, not my particular cup of tea but perhaps I simply missed some of the key ingredients in my reading of it. Everyone's perception of a story is different and if a kinship with the characters is felt, it gives the story greater merit. A potential read then for struggling artists out there looking for a glimpse inside the world of music and just how far a fans adoration can really take you.
June 11, 2012
Shannon and Kevin's lives are far different. One is a pop star, the other is a fan and an aspiring singer/songwriter himself. Their lives are about to get intertwined. First, Kevin gets a wave from Shannon who notices he is wearing her concert t-shirt. - Before going any further, let me tell you something about this t-shirt. It's bringing drama EVERYWHERE it goes. Co-workers and fellow classmates are making fun of Kevin for wearing it which makes me wonder why is he still wearing it in public? That t-shirt even puts his job in jeopardy! On the street, strangers are stopping to make fun of him. All for one concert t-shirt. Pretty dramatic, don't you think? At first I thought it was highly unlikely that this would happen but then I remembered the Beliebers. I've witnessed kids being ridiculed because of some Justin Bieber merchandise they had. It's far from being similar to Kevin's situation but even if it could be a plausible scenario it still doesn't ring true to me. Let's continue on with the story, shall we? - Kevin then decides to attend an autograph session, one that he will never forget. Shannon gives him more than a simple autograph, she gives him her phone number. (Shouldn't she be more careful who she's handing out her number to?) He gives her a call and they hang out together. Are their worlds too far apart for them to fall in love? You will have to read it to find out.
Shannon is a great character. She seems genuine and likable. I don't understand why some of the people, including Kevin's parents, had trouble being in the same room with her. It's clear they don't like her. They judge her on her celebrity status without really knowing her. I felt bad for her. I was glad she had Kevin to spend time with and do normal things. As for Kevin, he's going to college instead of pursuing music. Shannon is having the career he always wanted. It's evident he has a strong admiration for the pop singer. Shannon is really getting him out of his shell and helping him gain confidence with his music. Both Shannon and Kevin are lovable characters and I was rooting for their relationship to work.
Autism and Asperger's are also made reference of in this book. Shannon's brother has autism and she is the spokesperson for an autism organisation. As for Kevin, he thinks he might suffer from Asperger's after reading the symptoms and being asked if he's autistic by his boss. We are left wondering if he really suffers from Asperger's as it is never mentioned in the book. I would've like to learn more about this.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading A Song Apart despite the unlikely scenarios. The book offers a glimpse into the music world and the drama that celebrities and their fans may face.
3.5 stars
Shannon is a great character. She seems genuine and likable. I don't understand why some of the people, including Kevin's parents, had trouble being in the same room with her. It's clear they don't like her. They judge her on her celebrity status without really knowing her. I felt bad for her. I was glad she had Kevin to spend time with and do normal things. As for Kevin, he's going to college instead of pursuing music. Shannon is having the career he always wanted. It's evident he has a strong admiration for the pop singer. Shannon is really getting him out of his shell and helping him gain confidence with his music. Both Shannon and Kevin are lovable characters and I was rooting for their relationship to work.
Autism and Asperger's are also made reference of in this book. Shannon's brother has autism and she is the spokesperson for an autism organisation. As for Kevin, he thinks he might suffer from Asperger's after reading the symptoms and being asked if he's autistic by his boss. We are left wondering if he really suffers from Asperger's as it is never mentioned in the book. I would've like to learn more about this.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading A Song Apart despite the unlikely scenarios. The book offers a glimpse into the music world and the drama that celebrities and their fans may face.
3.5 stars
April 30, 2013
When Kevin and Shannon get together the objections to their relationship are downright unreasonable. I wondered while reading if Baer was using this text as a commentary about how much society is in our daily life and how little they really should be. Kevin’s boss, Dan, instructs him not to wear the shirt again because he co-workers won’t take him seriously but in a real world sense, does it matter what he’s wearing when he works in the sort of job he does?
As much as I liked Kevin, I found Shannon to be a caricature. She was well written and likable and worked well in the storyline but 100 authors writing a character sketch of a pop star could have come up with the same character. She is a spokesperson for Autism and Aspergers and we’re left with a sense that perhaps one of the characters is suffering from Aspergers Syndrome but the answer is left hanging. I would have liked to have known more.
“A Song Apart” is less a love story and more a human story. I was surprised to learn that Baer is a first time novelist. His narrative style and plotting speak to a practiced hand. Each scene is a stepping stone to the next in a very logical sense.
As much as I liked Kevin, I found Shannon to be a caricature. She was well written and likable and worked well in the storyline but 100 authors writing a character sketch of a pop star could have come up with the same character. She is a spokesperson for Autism and Aspergers and we’re left with a sense that perhaps one of the characters is suffering from Aspergers Syndrome but the answer is left hanging. I would have liked to have known more.
“A Song Apart” is less a love story and more a human story. I was surprised to learn that Baer is a first time novelist. His narrative style and plotting speak to a practiced hand. Each scene is a stepping stone to the next in a very logical sense.
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