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B-Sides and Broken Hearts
Lisa Simon, age 37, still loves loud punk rock and hates Dave Matthews with an all-consuming passion. April 15, 2001 should have been just another Sunday night. But a news headline landing in Lisa's email inbox changes everything: "Joey Ramone is dead." The death of one of her teenage heroes serves as an long-overdue wake-up call causing Lisa to examine her life and how she's lived it, from her youth as a poet on the streets of the East Village to 10 years later, all grown up with a career and a fiance. Add to the mix Jake McDaniel, lead singer of million-selling, critically-regarded Seattle band Blue Electric, known better to Lisa as the starving renegades who lived next door to her when she first arrived in Seattle. In the midst of an unexpectedly heated argument with the fiance over the historical relevance (or not) of the Ramones - which forces Lisa to face the truth about her relationship - Jake writes and invites Lisa to LA. Throwing what seems like half her cd collection in the car, along with a wardrobe consisting of high heels, jeans and t-shirts, Lisa starts driving from Seattle to LA in the middle of the night, accompanied by music, memories, and the ghosts of the past. Arriving in LA, she finds refuge, but also collides with her past, present and future; decisions need to be made, and this time, Lisa stands her ground.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2011
3 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Caryn Rose
9 books62 followersCaryn Rose is a longtime music journalist whose work has appeared in NPR, Pitchfork, MTV News, Salon, Billboard, the Village Voice, Vulture, and the Guardian. Her essay on Maybelle Carter was included in Woman Walk the Line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 20, 2011
The world is divided into two types of people, as far as I'm concerned. Those that stared endlessly at album covers while listening to records that, quite literally, made their otherwise dull and dismal lives feel worth living. And those that...well, are like the guy in "The Graduate" that interrogates young Ben about what he should do with his life: "Ben, I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics." I was thinking about all this while reading Caryn Rose's "B-Sides and Broken Hearts." That's not to say a wide audience won't appreciate this book because it can, and I hope for the very talented Caryn Rose's sake it does. But see, this is the type of book that feels like it's all yours and no one else can possibly feel or understand it like you because you can't help but wonder if it was written just for you. Just like those great records you stared at that felt all yours. Stuff like "Let It Be" by the Replacements, "Murmur" by REM, "Darkness on the Edge of Town" by Springsteen. Anyway, not saying it's required, but it helps if: You went to club shows in the 80s or early 90s and always got there insanely early and made a b-line to the front of the state and waited through 4 crap opening bands just so you could get that glorious dose from life savers like Sonic Youth or Husker Du, this book is for you. If you spent years feeling alienated answering idiotic questions from stiffs who couldn't fathom why you'd drive 100 miles after work to see Sleater-Kinney, this book is for you. If you couldn't imagine taking a road trip without spending more time making mix tapes than packing your bags, this book is for you. If you were convinced your life was changing in that very first moment you first saw The Clash, this book is for you. And yet, this book is about so much more than a great soundtrack. At its core, its essence, is about living and loving and dreaming of a life of authenticity. There are watershed moments in one's life that force you to ask the hard questions, examine your motives, and spur you to make changes. And suddenly you realize there was everything up to now, and everything that shall be, and finally you start believe there is a chance for redemption and renewal. I finished B-Sides and Broken Hearts and now I miss it. Great books are like that. - Bill See, author of "33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream."
www.33daysthebook.com
www.33daysthebook.com
March 19, 2015
This book felt like such a relief. Finally, a writer takes on serious music fandom from a female perspective, and she's clearly someone who's experienced it firsthand. While there's a conventional love story (or several love stories) at the core of B-Sides and Broken Hearts, the true love that shines through every page is music.
I was so pleased that the protagonist, Lisa, was a serious music fan, that she collected bootlegs and watched concert films and saw tons of live shows, and that the guys in the band respected and admired her musical knowledge. I loved that she was the one who was crushed by the death of Joey Ramone and that her boring ex didn't get it, rather than vice versa. I loved the descriptions of the way she felt at concerts at various points in her life, and how the music moved her. I've had tons of similar experiences, and it was such a refreshing change to read a novel about music fandom that reflected my reality.
All too often, women in books about music are either groupies or they're wet blankets, girls who used to love to go to shows, but who now just wish their boyfriends would put down the guitars, get real jobs, and marry them so they can start having a load of babies. None of that here! This story is about falling in love with music and the power of creating or even just experiencing art, having your heart broken, and then letting the music help you find your way back. For once, it's NOT about giving up your passions in order to grow up, but to realize the importance of holding onto those passions in order to lead your best life.
I also really appreciated the fact that Lisa wasn't just one girl among the boys, but that there were plenty of other women who played strong, enthusiastic roles in the book's various music-related settings, and who had positive, friendly relationships with one another.
Overall, I just had fun reading this book, I related to it, and I felt happy to see some validation for the many female music fans out there who all too often are sidelined, who have their expertise overlooked or discounted, but who are every bit as passionate and invested in their scenes as the guys.
I was so pleased that the protagonist, Lisa, was a serious music fan, that she collected bootlegs and watched concert films and saw tons of live shows, and that the guys in the band respected and admired her musical knowledge. I loved that she was the one who was crushed by the death of Joey Ramone and that her boring ex didn't get it, rather than vice versa. I loved the descriptions of the way she felt at concerts at various points in her life, and how the music moved her. I've had tons of similar experiences, and it was such a refreshing change to read a novel about music fandom that reflected my reality.
All too often, women in books about music are either groupies or they're wet blankets, girls who used to love to go to shows, but who now just wish their boyfriends would put down the guitars, get real jobs, and marry them so they can start having a load of babies. None of that here! This story is about falling in love with music and the power of creating or even just experiencing art, having your heart broken, and then letting the music help you find your way back. For once, it's NOT about giving up your passions in order to grow up, but to realize the importance of holding onto those passions in order to lead your best life.
I also really appreciated the fact that Lisa wasn't just one girl among the boys, but that there were plenty of other women who played strong, enthusiastic roles in the book's various music-related settings, and who had positive, friendly relationships with one another.
Overall, I just had fun reading this book, I related to it, and I felt happy to see some validation for the many female music fans out there who all too often are sidelined, who have their expertise overlooked or discounted, but who are every bit as passionate and invested in their scenes as the guys.
November 1, 2011
"B-Sides and Broken Hearts" should have universal appeal for its main story line, with the protagonist, Lisa, faced with a major life decision, and forced to decide what is important to her. While the specifics may be different, the struggle is one most of us have faced.
However, for me, the most significant message is the power of music. If you’re like me, there are songs that can lift you up and those that will put you into a funk, while others take you back to a specific time, place, or person. An idea epitomized midway through the book by this paragraph:
"How can this happen? How can a song that meant so much to me when I first heard it at fourteen, a song about dreams and hope, suddenly mean just as much right now, suddenly the words apply exactly to my life twenty-two years later? And how can it affect me in the same way, how can it lift me up, transport me, elevate me, inspire me, give me meaning and, well, hope?"
On her website Rose says her goal was to “write the woman’s version of 'High Fidelity.'” (A book by Nick Hornby, later made into a movie starring John Cusack.) Rose said she, “wanted to read a book where a woman could like music as much as a guy and not be called a groupie or be told that she sure knew a lot about music for a girl.” I think she did it. Rose knows a lot about music for anyone, regardless of gender, and this knowledge permeates the pages of "B-Sides and Broken Hearts." The music geek will love this book for that reason as it smoothly integrates mentions of songs and bands from big (The Rolling Stones) to relatively obscure (I’ve heard of Eddie Spaghetti and his band, The Supersuckers, have you?) If you’re not a music fan, "B-Sides and Broken Hearts" is still a good story, but if you are, it is a can’t miss.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
However, for me, the most significant message is the power of music. If you’re like me, there are songs that can lift you up and those that will put you into a funk, while others take you back to a specific time, place, or person. An idea epitomized midway through the book by this paragraph:
"How can this happen? How can a song that meant so much to me when I first heard it at fourteen, a song about dreams and hope, suddenly mean just as much right now, suddenly the words apply exactly to my life twenty-two years later? And how can it affect me in the same way, how can it lift me up, transport me, elevate me, inspire me, give me meaning and, well, hope?"
On her website Rose says her goal was to “write the woman’s version of 'High Fidelity.'” (A book by Nick Hornby, later made into a movie starring John Cusack.) Rose said she, “wanted to read a book where a woman could like music as much as a guy and not be called a groupie or be told that she sure knew a lot about music for a girl.” I think she did it. Rose knows a lot about music for anyone, regardless of gender, and this knowledge permeates the pages of "B-Sides and Broken Hearts." The music geek will love this book for that reason as it smoothly integrates mentions of songs and bands from big (The Rolling Stones) to relatively obscure (I’ve heard of Eddie Spaghetti and his band, The Supersuckers, have you?) If you’re not a music fan, "B-Sides and Broken Hearts" is still a good story, but if you are, it is a can’t miss.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
August 17, 2012
For more of my reviews, visit www.rachelefisher.com/blog
Title: B-Sides and Broken Hearts
Author: Caryn Rose
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Amazon Summary: Lisa Simon, age 37, still loves loud punk rock and hates Dave Matthews with an all-consuming passion. April 15, 2001 should have been just another Sunday night. But a news headline landing in Lisa's email inbox changes everything: "Joey Ramone is dead." The death of one of her teenage heroes serves as an long-overdue wake-up call causing Lisa to examine her life and how she's lived it, from her youth as a poet on the streets of the East Village to 10 years later, all grown up with a career and a fiance. Add to the mix Jake McDaniel, lead singer of million-selling, critically-regarded Seattle band Blue Electric, known better to Lisa as the starving renegades who lived next door to her when she first arrived in Seattle. In the midst of an unexpectedly heated argument with the fiance over the historical relevance (or not) of the Ramones - which forces Lisa to face the truth about her relationship - Jake writes and invites Lisa to LA. Throwing what seems like half her cd collection in the car, along with a wardrobe consisting of high heels, jeans and t-shirts, Lisa starts driving from Seattle to LA in the middle of the night, accompanied by music, memories, and the ghosts of the past. Arriving in LA, she finds refuge, but also collides with her past, present and future; decisions need to be made, and this time, Lisa stands her ground.
My Review
Usually the review would be on my blog first, but I thought I'd go out on a limb and hit GR while the read is fresh in my mind. And this review will be spoiler-free. :)
Firstly, I would like to point out that I most frequently review YA, but this is an adult book. It's not out of the question for older YA readers because it's not heavy on sex and has no violence...there is language, but it's not over the top. Of course, I'm an Irish girl from Jersey, so my sense of "clean" language is a little skewed. If I had to pick a genre, which I really don't want to do...oh, wait, this is my review and I don't have to do anything. Phew! It defies traditional genre labels, IMHO.
B-Sides is the story of Lisa, the ultimate fan, a fan whose love and passion goes so deep that it cannot be abandoned, even when everything else that she cares about falls away. I saw someone else refer to Lisa's character as a "groupie" in his review, and I would politely like to set the record straight. Lisa is a FAN. She doesn't sleep with the band members, or stalk them for the purpose of rubbing against them hoping to steal the pixie-dust. (That is a groupie) She is a hard-core, her heart aches, her stomach aches, heck, her scalp probably aches, FAN...she feels so strongly about the music that moves her. I think that anyone that has ever resonated strongly with anything creative can identify, even if they are not as educated a music-wonk as Lisa.
The story shifts between different phases in Lisa's life, which is forever altered by three major events: the death of Joey Ramone, an up-close attendance at a WHO concert at fifteen, and a soulmate named James. Lisa's life moves in the directions that seem so obvious, as if they had been laid out before she was born, when she connects with James and her New York City fantasy life is fulfilled. Until she's struck by tragedy and she picks up and moves her whole life to Seattle.
B-Sides is the story of how Lisa finds her way back...all the way back from the precipice of heartbreak, from the "settling" into "grownup" life, from the darkness of a life without creation...back home.
You could try to call this "chick-lit," but on some level I tend not to think of chick-lit as being this gritty. (Probably my personal bias) I found an authenticity to Lisa and her heartache, journey, and decision-making very compelling. With a less complex, less three-dimensional person, you'd never understand the relationship with Ian. With Lisa, Rose really shows the kind of "choices" that artists make as they get older and have to make concessions to things like eating and having a roof over their heads. It's always a balancing act between the need and the want...
You may have noticed that I haven't talked much about the musical foundation of the story. Clearly, Rose knows her stuff...WAY more than I do. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because the music references were occasionally too much for my knowledge base to truly get the 411 (yes, that was an intentional attempt at cheese). That being said, with the AMOUNT of music information in this book, the fact that I give it 4.5 tells you what a GREAT job Rose does of bringing those less knowledgeable along with Lisa on her ride.
I got fifty pages into this and emailed the author to curse and simultaneously thank her for making me cry. And that wasn't the first time. If you love music, then you will LOVE this book. (Just add and/or to each reference in the next sentence for me, will ya?) If you love NYC, the old Village, CBGBs, Seattle, Punk, Grunge, and Rock and Roll...then you will LOVE this book. If you like stories of strong women finding their way, then you will LOVE this book.
If you are a hard-core Dave Matthews fan...maybe not. That's just bein' honest folks.
I highly recommend this read.
Title: B-Sides and Broken Hearts
Author: Caryn Rose
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Amazon Summary: Lisa Simon, age 37, still loves loud punk rock and hates Dave Matthews with an all-consuming passion. April 15, 2001 should have been just another Sunday night. But a news headline landing in Lisa's email inbox changes everything: "Joey Ramone is dead." The death of one of her teenage heroes serves as an long-overdue wake-up call causing Lisa to examine her life and how she's lived it, from her youth as a poet on the streets of the East Village to 10 years later, all grown up with a career and a fiance. Add to the mix Jake McDaniel, lead singer of million-selling, critically-regarded Seattle band Blue Electric, known better to Lisa as the starving renegades who lived next door to her when she first arrived in Seattle. In the midst of an unexpectedly heated argument with the fiance over the historical relevance (or not) of the Ramones - which forces Lisa to face the truth about her relationship - Jake writes and invites Lisa to LA. Throwing what seems like half her cd collection in the car, along with a wardrobe consisting of high heels, jeans and t-shirts, Lisa starts driving from Seattle to LA in the middle of the night, accompanied by music, memories, and the ghosts of the past. Arriving in LA, she finds refuge, but also collides with her past, present and future; decisions need to be made, and this time, Lisa stands her ground.
My Review
Usually the review would be on my blog first, but I thought I'd go out on a limb and hit GR while the read is fresh in my mind. And this review will be spoiler-free. :)
Firstly, I would like to point out that I most frequently review YA, but this is an adult book. It's not out of the question for older YA readers because it's not heavy on sex and has no violence...there is language, but it's not over the top. Of course, I'm an Irish girl from Jersey, so my sense of "clean" language is a little skewed. If I had to pick a genre, which I really don't want to do...oh, wait, this is my review and I don't have to do anything. Phew! It defies traditional genre labels, IMHO.
B-Sides is the story of Lisa, the ultimate fan, a fan whose love and passion goes so deep that it cannot be abandoned, even when everything else that she cares about falls away. I saw someone else refer to Lisa's character as a "groupie" in his review, and I would politely like to set the record straight. Lisa is a FAN. She doesn't sleep with the band members, or stalk them for the purpose of rubbing against them hoping to steal the pixie-dust. (That is a groupie) She is a hard-core, her heart aches, her stomach aches, heck, her scalp probably aches, FAN...she feels so strongly about the music that moves her. I think that anyone that has ever resonated strongly with anything creative can identify, even if they are not as educated a music-wonk as Lisa.
The story shifts between different phases in Lisa's life, which is forever altered by three major events: the death of Joey Ramone, an up-close attendance at a WHO concert at fifteen, and a soulmate named James. Lisa's life moves in the directions that seem so obvious, as if they had been laid out before she was born, when she connects with James and her New York City fantasy life is fulfilled. Until she's struck by tragedy and she picks up and moves her whole life to Seattle.
B-Sides is the story of how Lisa finds her way back...all the way back from the precipice of heartbreak, from the "settling" into "grownup" life, from the darkness of a life without creation...back home.
You could try to call this "chick-lit," but on some level I tend not to think of chick-lit as being this gritty. (Probably my personal bias) I found an authenticity to Lisa and her heartache, journey, and decision-making very compelling. With a less complex, less three-dimensional person, you'd never understand the relationship with Ian. With Lisa, Rose really shows the kind of "choices" that artists make as they get older and have to make concessions to things like eating and having a roof over their heads. It's always a balancing act between the need and the want...
You may have noticed that I haven't talked much about the musical foundation of the story. Clearly, Rose knows her stuff...WAY more than I do. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because the music references were occasionally too much for my knowledge base to truly get the 411 (yes, that was an intentional attempt at cheese). That being said, with the AMOUNT of music information in this book, the fact that I give it 4.5 tells you what a GREAT job Rose does of bringing those less knowledgeable along with Lisa on her ride.
I got fifty pages into this and emailed the author to curse and simultaneously thank her for making me cry. And that wasn't the first time. If you love music, then you will LOVE this book. (Just add and/or to each reference in the next sentence for me, will ya?) If you love NYC, the old Village, CBGBs, Seattle, Punk, Grunge, and Rock and Roll...then you will LOVE this book. If you like stories of strong women finding their way, then you will LOVE this book.
If you are a hard-core Dave Matthews fan...maybe not. That's just bein' honest folks.
I highly recommend this read.
April 29, 2021
That was exactly what I needed to read right now, and so engagingly written.
August 23, 2011
If you love music, then this book is for you. If you grew up loving music, then this book is for you. Even if you love Dave Matthews and hate the main character, Lisa, for hating on him big time, you still need to read this book.
There's something about love of music in which most people can relate, even if it's not the same kind of music. Lisa's story--which actually comprises several vignettes/flashbacks leading up to the story arc, has all the nitty gritty details of her love of punk and rock. These stories are intertwined with a break-up story which leads into a midnight decision to leave Seattle and head to Los Angeles, shoving any thoughts out of her mind as to what a crazy idea it was to just pick up and leave and filling the empty space with music and memories.
This is as real as it gets, too. When you read about Lisa sitting on the curb outside of CBGB's, you ARE there. Ditto with her first Who show. Likewise with seeing Pearl Jam at the Mural. Author Caryn Rose has put so much passion into Lisa, you almost want to dance next to her while watching her friends' band, Blue Electric, perform "Anitque Mirror". You almost want to smack Ian upside the head for being such a dork; and you almost want to high-five every member of Blue Electric once Lisa gets to California to be surrounded with the most important people in her life.
Don't just take it from me, though. Read what the other reviewers have to say about this book. Then, throw on a pair of Chucks, grab your favorite jeans to wear and worn out concert shirt you vow never to throw away, don your headphones, crank the tunes, and cozy up to your own copy. You won't be disappointed.
There's something about love of music in which most people can relate, even if it's not the same kind of music. Lisa's story--which actually comprises several vignettes/flashbacks leading up to the story arc, has all the nitty gritty details of her love of punk and rock. These stories are intertwined with a break-up story which leads into a midnight decision to leave Seattle and head to Los Angeles, shoving any thoughts out of her mind as to what a crazy idea it was to just pick up and leave and filling the empty space with music and memories.
This is as real as it gets, too. When you read about Lisa sitting on the curb outside of CBGB's, you ARE there. Ditto with her first Who show. Likewise with seeing Pearl Jam at the Mural. Author Caryn Rose has put so much passion into Lisa, you almost want to dance next to her while watching her friends' band, Blue Electric, perform "Anitque Mirror". You almost want to smack Ian upside the head for being such a dork; and you almost want to high-five every member of Blue Electric once Lisa gets to California to be surrounded with the most important people in her life.
Don't just take it from me, though. Read what the other reviewers have to say about this book. Then, throw on a pair of Chucks, grab your favorite jeans to wear and worn out concert shirt you vow never to throw away, don your headphones, crank the tunes, and cozy up to your own copy. You won't be disappointed.
June 4, 2015
Perfect. That's what this book. While I'm not a huge romance fan, the music side of this book was what really called to me. I'd been looking for a book that explored music fandom for a long time and found it all wrapped up in this one. What made it an even sweeter find is that the story is told from the female perspective. Don't let that put you off because this is one hell of a kick ass female character. Often, whenever a female turns up in any kind of music orientated story, they're very... well, Mary-Sue-like (for use of a better term). But that perception is completely blown out of the water in B-Sides and Broken Hearts.
The passion for music rings from every page of the story, drawing you in. After every chapter, you find yourself running for your music collection and pulling every favourite song from the shelves. The author's talents definitely lie in talking about bands and music and travelling dark and winding roads to see your favourite band. And I really hope that she'll bring out another in the same vein as this one. This is the perfect read for any music junkie. While the band at the heart of the book are fictional there are references to many bands that came from the Seattle area, some of which will have any 1990's music fan squealing with joy. So find your favourite album, put on your headphones, and enjoy a few chapters of this while you listen.
The passion for music rings from every page of the story, drawing you in. After every chapter, you find yourself running for your music collection and pulling every favourite song from the shelves. The author's talents definitely lie in talking about bands and music and travelling dark and winding roads to see your favourite band. And I really hope that she'll bring out another in the same vein as this one. This is the perfect read for any music junkie. While the band at the heart of the book are fictional there are references to many bands that came from the Seattle area, some of which will have any 1990's music fan squealing with joy. So find your favourite album, put on your headphones, and enjoy a few chapters of this while you listen.
June 7, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and couldn’t wait to pick it up every night. The author excels at explaining the experience of being a fan and describing the impact music can have on a life. I could relate to the main character in almost every way, musically (minus her thing for Seattle grunge bands – which never really made it onto my playlist)
Two criticisms – I found a lot of the dialogue of the guys in the band hard to buy. It felt like it was written by a woman – too much explaining of feelings – but, of course, this book is not only an ode to fandom but a love story too. Secondly, early in the book, on the fateful day of Joey Ramone’s death, the main character immerses herself in Ramones albums with her headphones on – she says only to get up every 20 minutes to turn the side. It should have read 15 minutes. Just makes more sense for a super fan to have said erred on the shorter side, ‘cause isn’t that why everyone loves the Ramones?
Two criticisms – I found a lot of the dialogue of the guys in the band hard to buy. It felt like it was written by a woman – too much explaining of feelings – but, of course, this book is not only an ode to fandom but a love story too. Secondly, early in the book, on the fateful day of Joey Ramone’s death, the main character immerses herself in Ramones albums with her headphones on – she says only to get up every 20 minutes to turn the side. It should have read 15 minutes. Just makes more sense for a super fan to have said erred on the shorter side, ‘cause isn’t that why everyone loves the Ramones?
February 7, 2012
This is a quirky, fun, sometimes sad look at a woman whose life is helplessly interwoven with music. She feels the music in the core of her soul, relates her life to the lyrics she hears, and aches inside when a favorite musician dies. She spends her free time traveling to live shows and her best friends are musicians. I admit to having character-envy. I wanted to be Lisa, or at least be her best friend. I can absolutely relate to her intense love of music.
Lisa's story is told in a stream of musical references that might lessen the pleasure for readers who are less musically-addicted. If you know what it's like to be lifted to another place by the sounds you hear, this is the book for you.
Lisa's story is told in a stream of musical references that might lessen the pleasure for readers who are less musically-addicted. If you know what it's like to be lifted to another place by the sounds you hear, this is the book for you.
March 20, 2013
The only think I could think after reading this was this is what it would have been like if Cameron Crowe was a girl. When Joey Ramone dies, Lisa realizes that her boyfriend is a dick and she misses her friends. She jumps in her car, leaving Seattle and heads to L.A. to meet up with rock legends Electric Blue, who she has known since before they were famous. The long drive brings up old memories of her days when she was young and she would pick up and go to see her favorite punk bands. If you are a music fan this this book is for you. It reminded me of all the great music that has come and gone. Good Stuff and a great way to spend an afternoon in the sun.
November 27, 2011
This is basically chick lit for music fans - although it's a little smarter than most of the fluff I've read that fits into that category. A really enjoyable story about a girl and her love for music from the early 80s to the present, with a lot of neat Seattle mentions, and of course - heartbreak and the search for love. Rose has a great narrative - I had to keep checking the cover to make sure it was fiction and not a memoir. I'd rather read this book over and over than pick up anything by Jennifer Weiner ever again.
October 28, 2011
This is a really fun book about what it means to love bands and music. There is a love story (actually, several) but I appreciate that it's as much about friendship and geeking out about common interests as it is about dating. Also passes the Bechdel test by including some nice scenes of female friendship. And there's a scene of emotional catharsis based on listening to a bootleg version of "Badlands," and I mean, I have LIVED THAT.
November 12, 2011
It was brilliant! I loved the vibrant characters, the honest writing, and of course the music geekery. Anyone that loves music, especially rock music will get into this. It's a book written by someone that really loves music and instantly you feel a connection because of it.
February 19, 2012
Pure music lovin escapism! Very addictive, but since I'm not such a huge Rolling Stones fan (nor do I cry half as much as the main character does) I had trouble connecting emotionally at some points, otherwise she captures late 30s hipster lady angst well :)
September 16, 2011
A gleeful, fun, quick read. This book is being described as "high fidelity for girls" and that pretty much nails it.
Read
September 15, 2020There's just so much to love about this book, not the least of which is that the story itself is ultimately both a love story and a story about love.
May 5, 2012
very very very relatable, and a cracking good read. please write more books Caryn!
June 26, 2013
So far the best book I've read this year & yes if you love music especially punk rock, go ahead & read this book.
August 20, 2020
This is the ultimate book for any rock enthusiast. It provides an inner and believable glimpse into the intriguing world of the music and rock world. I felt like I was being invited to be a bystander for a lifestyle I could only dream of, in the years when music was at its best. The main character, Lisa Simon, goes on an inner journey with her memories, while traveling from Seattle to LA and slowly reveals her story and connection with members of the band "Electric Blue".
I enjoyed reading, but at times I felt that the plot, was more concerned with dropping names and acknowledging the author's extensive musical historical knowledge, than with the dialogues between the characters, the emotions, what motivates them.
I enjoyed reading, but at times I felt that the plot, was more concerned with dropping names and acknowledging the author's extensive musical historical knowledge, than with the dialogues between the characters, the emotions, what motivates them.
August 12, 2020
Cheesy but ok
Stumbled upon this on kindle store. It has a definite fanfiction vibe... quite cheesy and in keeping with the “Mary Sue” type female character who is beloved of a rock band full of equally attractive, nice guys who all seem to fancy her. The protagonist Lisa was also a bit “cool girl” (see: Gillian Flynn). I did enjoy the references to real life bands that peppered the novel.
Stumbled upon this on kindle store. It has a definite fanfiction vibe... quite cheesy and in keeping with the “Mary Sue” type female character who is beloved of a rock band full of equally attractive, nice guys who all seem to fancy her. The protagonist Lisa was also a bit “cool girl” (see: Gillian Flynn). I did enjoy the references to real life bands that peppered the novel.
August 10, 2024
Caryn Rose is one of my favorite music writers, so when I found out she’d written a fiction book I knew I needed to drop everything else and read it immediately. If you are a music fanatic and love being a fan, this book is for you! If you love The Rolling Stones, The Who or The Replacements, these characters will be your people. I hate I finished this so fast! I wanted to live in this book. ❤️
April 16, 2021
I wanted to love this, and it reads as an intensely personal story about music that I can very much relate to, but it was very bad.
November 14, 2024
Really fun read. Have enjoyed Caryns writing for a while with her write ups of Springsteen which is how I found this book. Recommend
November 10, 2011
B-Sides and Broken Hearts is the story of 37 year-old Lisa, who is finding it hard coming to terms with the death of Joey Ramone, one of her favourite musicians. His death forces her to think about her life and she finds that she is not happy. Her relationship with the predictable, Ian, is not the type of relationship she had envisaged for herself when she was young. The death of Joey Ramone leads to a torrent of emails from Lisa’s music-loving friends, and puts her back in touch with Jake, the singer with a successful band, Blue Electric. Lisa had been there with Jake and the rest of the band right from the start when they were unknown and penniless. She watched them grow into a band that could fill arenas. However, for the past 5 years her relationship with the band has been overshadowed by the fact that her boyfriend shows little interest in getting to know them. From the outside, all of Lisa’s friends have always thought she should have ended up with Jake. None of her friends like Ian. After Joey Ramone’s death, when Ian fails to understand why she is so upset, Lisa makes the decision to visit her old friends in LA. She packs some belongings, mainly CDs for the journey, and drives all night to revisit her past. Lisa goes on a journey in this novel, to find the person she really is. After a tragic relationship when she was younger, she had lost her way. Will her old friends in LA help her reconnect with the real Lisa?
This book is about dreams, friends, love, relationships, and above all it is about music and how music can have a profound influence on our lives.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt that the world had ended because their favourite band split up, anyone who obsessively waited for new albums to be released by their favourite bands and spent their last pennies on gigs and records, anyone who has ever screamed the lyrics to their favourite songs while driving in their car... This is a book for dreamers, and reaffirms the importance of believing in your dreams, and following your heart.
It is well written and engaging. I found myself feeling sad when I knew that the story would soon end. The ending is poignant and uplifting at the same time. This is a must read for music lovers.
This book is about dreams, friends, love, relationships, and above all it is about music and how music can have a profound influence on our lives.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt that the world had ended because their favourite band split up, anyone who obsessively waited for new albums to be released by their favourite bands and spent their last pennies on gigs and records, anyone who has ever screamed the lyrics to their favourite songs while driving in their car... This is a book for dreamers, and reaffirms the importance of believing in your dreams, and following your heart.
It is well written and engaging. I found myself feeling sad when I knew that the story would soon end. The ending is poignant and uplifting at the same time. This is a must read for music lovers.
July 19, 2014
When I read the description of this book, and its author, I figured I would either love it or be horribly disappointed. Well, I loved it.
The author is a sports and music journalist and photographer. I have also been all of those things. She is also a major music fan, and this couldn't be more clear in this, her first novel. This is the story of a woman, followed for almost two decades, who goes from New York to Seattle and eventually to Los Angeles, following, losing, and maybe regaining her dream. If you've ever loved a new band: followed them from the beginning, helped them become known, shared in their success; or gotten into an established band's fandom, met the other hardcore fans, followed their gigs to multiple states or countries, collected bootlegs and merch and treasured time spent talking to both the band and the fandom - this will be a story you can relate to.
I found the jumping forward and back in time a little distracting, but that may be due to the small increments I read the book in; I think it wouldn't be much of an issue read in larger segments. I also occasionally had qualms that parts bordered on "Mary Sue" - but that may be my background in fanfiction making itself known. The protagonist is smart, attractive, talented, and seemingly practically irresistible. It felt a bit convenient, how easily she slipped in and out of relationships with band members, not that it doesn't happen. And ultimately, none of that ruined my appreciation of the story.
Bottom line: don't know what to call this. There is romance, but it's not a romance. I guess it's the story of giving up on your dreams to make a living, to make yourself comfortable (physically and emotionally), and the price you pay for that. But not in a heavy-handed way, at all. It's not moralistic. Maybe I should just leave it at "this is an enjoyable read, especially if music is your life."
I should add how odd it is that I was reading a book that started with the death of Joey Ramone, just as we lost the last of the Ramones.
The author is a sports and music journalist and photographer. I have also been all of those things. She is also a major music fan, and this couldn't be more clear in this, her first novel. This is the story of a woman, followed for almost two decades, who goes from New York to Seattle and eventually to Los Angeles, following, losing, and maybe regaining her dream. If you've ever loved a new band: followed them from the beginning, helped them become known, shared in their success; or gotten into an established band's fandom, met the other hardcore fans, followed their gigs to multiple states or countries, collected bootlegs and merch and treasured time spent talking to both the band and the fandom - this will be a story you can relate to.
I found the jumping forward and back in time a little distracting, but that may be due to the small increments I read the book in; I think it wouldn't be much of an issue read in larger segments. I also occasionally had qualms that parts bordered on "Mary Sue" - but that may be my background in fanfiction making itself known. The protagonist is smart, attractive, talented, and seemingly practically irresistible. It felt a bit convenient, how easily she slipped in and out of relationships with band members, not that it doesn't happen. And ultimately, none of that ruined my appreciation of the story.
Bottom line: don't know what to call this. There is romance, but it's not a romance. I guess it's the story of giving up on your dreams to make a living, to make yourself comfortable (physically and emotionally), and the price you pay for that. But not in a heavy-handed way, at all. It's not moralistic. Maybe I should just leave it at "this is an enjoyable read, especially if music is your life."
I should add how odd it is that I was reading a book that started with the death of Joey Ramone, just as we lost the last of the Ramones.
January 24, 2012
I don't know where to begin in describing how much I loved this book.
If you know what it's like to love a band, to REALLY love a band, and be swept up in the religion of rock and roll, you will cherish "B-Sides and Broken Hearts." Caryn Rose's love letter to music is one of the most joyful, heartbreaking, and honest rock books I've read--she unabashedly wears her fangirl heart on her sleeve, and shows what it really means to love music, a time, a band, and how it changes and preserves people, helping them through the roughest points in their life, and accentuating the brightest spots.
No lying here, I wanted to live the life of Lisa, the protagonist. Her best friends are a bunch of guys who start a band in Seattle in the early 90s and go on to big things, and she describes in detail her experiences seeing The Who, the Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth, the Ramones, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden, among others. Seeing only a couple of the bands on her rock and roll resume would be enough to color the most diehard of rock fans green with envy--it's like a fantasy wishlist come true--and in this book, you get to feel like you were there and had your mind blow right alongside Lisa. In short, I felt like this was a book written for me, something straight out of my dreams.
If you know all the words to every song in your favorite band's catalog, have ever went on a quest to find a rare record or piece of rock 'n roll memorabilia, or have literally felt a jab of pain in your soul from being robbed the chance to see your favorite band live, this book is for you.
Some outsiders might consider our musical fandoms to be crazy, or pointless, but Caryn Rose shows us we are in very good company. Rock and roll is a family, and "B-Sides and Broken Hearts" feels like the story of an enthusiastic, understanding friend.
If you know what it's like to love a band, to REALLY love a band, and be swept up in the religion of rock and roll, you will cherish "B-Sides and Broken Hearts." Caryn Rose's love letter to music is one of the most joyful, heartbreaking, and honest rock books I've read--she unabashedly wears her fangirl heart on her sleeve, and shows what it really means to love music, a time, a band, and how it changes and preserves people, helping them through the roughest points in their life, and accentuating the brightest spots.
No lying here, I wanted to live the life of Lisa, the protagonist. Her best friends are a bunch of guys who start a band in Seattle in the early 90s and go on to big things, and she describes in detail her experiences seeing The Who, the Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth, the Ramones, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden, among others. Seeing only a couple of the bands on her rock and roll resume would be enough to color the most diehard of rock fans green with envy--it's like a fantasy wishlist come true--and in this book, you get to feel like you were there and had your mind blow right alongside Lisa. In short, I felt like this was a book written for me, something straight out of my dreams.
If you know all the words to every song in your favorite band's catalog, have ever went on a quest to find a rare record or piece of rock 'n roll memorabilia, or have literally felt a jab of pain in your soul from being robbed the chance to see your favorite band live, this book is for you.
Some outsiders might consider our musical fandoms to be crazy, or pointless, but Caryn Rose shows us we are in very good company. Rock and roll is a family, and "B-Sides and Broken Hearts" feels like the story of an enthusiastic, understanding friend.
December 14, 2011
This was a free ebook i got through Library Thing/Smashwords and I really really enjoyed it. The book begins in April 2001 with the news of the death of musician Joey Ramone. Lisa was a dedicated fan of the Ramones and they were one of the bands that provided the sound track to her life along with many others, though her all time favourite band is the Rolling Stones. She has a boyfriend but he doesn't get why she is heart broken that Joey has died and she jumps in her car and decides to drive from Seattle to L.A. to meet up with her best friends, members of a band, Blue Electric. She met the boys in the band before they were famous, as they were neighbours of hers. During the drive she thinks back to various things that happened to her in her life, both before and after she met the band members and her current boyfriend. Her first really important boyfriend died suddenly and it's clear she's never really got over him. Music has always been a major passion for Lisa and her stories and memories always revolved around it.
As the stories unfold during her long drive, we start to suspect that her best friend Jake, lead singer of Blue Electric, might mean more to her than she realizes but things aren't always as they seem. Once she reaches L. A. we get fewer memories and more of what's happening as she reaches a turning point in her life.
As i said, I really loved this book and the characters in it. Music might not be the center of my life like it is hers, but I still felt somehow that I could emphathise with Lisa and that's down to how well the author tells the story. You get a good sense of backstage life of how hard a band works to make it and how it affects them when they have. It does have a love story but it's mainly about the music and Lisa and her friends. This is one of the best books I've read this year.
As the stories unfold during her long drive, we start to suspect that her best friend Jake, lead singer of Blue Electric, might mean more to her than she realizes but things aren't always as they seem. Once she reaches L. A. we get fewer memories and more of what's happening as she reaches a turning point in her life.
As i said, I really loved this book and the characters in it. Music might not be the center of my life like it is hers, but I still felt somehow that I could emphathise with Lisa and that's down to how well the author tells the story. You get a good sense of backstage life of how hard a band works to make it and how it affects them when they have. It does have a love story but it's mainly about the music and Lisa and her friends. This is one of the best books I've read this year.
November 9, 2011
If you ever spent every penny you earned babysitting or flipping burgers on vinyl records, concert tickets, band posters & rock tour t-shirts, you will identify with Lisa Simpson. Caryn Rose has skillfully woven a tale of love & heartache against the backdrop of the music scene of New York in the 80’s & Seattle in the 90’s.
At 37, reeling from the news that Joey Ramone has died, Lisa finds herself breaking up with her boyfriend of 5 yrs over his inability to sympathize with her devotion to the Ramones. Her best friend, Jake, who has hit the big time as lead singer of the Seattle born band, Blue Electric, offers to fly her to Los Angeles. Afraid she will change her mind before she can get booked on a flight, Lisa jumps in the car & leaves Seattle on an 1100+ mile odyssey in the middle of the night. Having packed mostly music CD’s & her rock wardrobe of jeans, t-shirts & high heels, Lisa drives through the dark listening to the music that has shaped her life while the ghosts of her past swirl through her mind. When she reaches LA, she finds parts of her relationship with the members of Blue Electric are exactly the same, while others have radically changed & her journey of self-discovery is not over.
The numerous references to both well known & obscure musicians, songs & concerts throughout the book add a level of depth to this story, that someone less familiar with the growth of rock music from the late 70’s through the 90’s might not appreciate. However, I was 36 in 2001, when Joey Ramone died & the soundtrack of Lisa’s life is largely the same as mine, so even though she immersed herself more in the rock-n-roll lifestyle than I ever did, her experiences still resonate with me. Thanks Caryn Rose for taking me along on her journey.
At 37, reeling from the news that Joey Ramone has died, Lisa finds herself breaking up with her boyfriend of 5 yrs over his inability to sympathize with her devotion to the Ramones. Her best friend, Jake, who has hit the big time as lead singer of the Seattle born band, Blue Electric, offers to fly her to Los Angeles. Afraid she will change her mind before she can get booked on a flight, Lisa jumps in the car & leaves Seattle on an 1100+ mile odyssey in the middle of the night. Having packed mostly music CD’s & her rock wardrobe of jeans, t-shirts & high heels, Lisa drives through the dark listening to the music that has shaped her life while the ghosts of her past swirl through her mind. When she reaches LA, she finds parts of her relationship with the members of Blue Electric are exactly the same, while others have radically changed & her journey of self-discovery is not over.
The numerous references to both well known & obscure musicians, songs & concerts throughout the book add a level of depth to this story, that someone less familiar with the growth of rock music from the late 70’s through the 90’s might not appreciate. However, I was 36 in 2001, when Joey Ramone died & the soundtrack of Lisa’s life is largely the same as mine, so even though she immersed herself more in the rock-n-roll lifestyle than I ever did, her experiences still resonate with me. Thanks Caryn Rose for taking me along on her journey.
September 12, 2014
Lisa Simon is a woman who knows what's important in her life and doesn't bother even pretending to conform. All that changes after she suffers a devastating loss in which she also loses a huge chunk of herself. This is her story as she emerges from the fog she lived in for over a decade to reclaim her old self. At the core of her journey is her love of music. It is what sustains her and what she shares with her friends and loved ones.
Familiarity with the music repeatedly referenced in the book, while not necessary, certainly helps one's understanding, and definitely adds to the enjoyment of the story. Anyone who has ever made a life-altering decision and lived to regret it will be able to sympathize with Lisa. Lisa's journey comes down to one simple fact that seems obvious, but I suspect that many people miss it: choose the people you surround yourself with carefully, as they say much more about who you really are than you can.
I read that some people are referring to B-Sides and Broken Hearts as High Fidelity from a female perspective. While I am a huge fan of Nick Hornby, I found this story much enjoyable than High Fidelity, probably because I'm a woman. In fact, I enjoyed my Kindle edition so much, that I'm going to order a hard copy of this book - I do so love the weight and smell of an actual book!
Familiarity with the music repeatedly referenced in the book, while not necessary, certainly helps one's understanding, and definitely adds to the enjoyment of the story. Anyone who has ever made a life-altering decision and lived to regret it will be able to sympathize with Lisa. Lisa's journey comes down to one simple fact that seems obvious, but I suspect that many people miss it: choose the people you surround yourself with carefully, as they say much more about who you really are than you can.
I read that some people are referring to B-Sides and Broken Hearts as High Fidelity from a female perspective. While I am a huge fan of Nick Hornby, I found this story much enjoyable than High Fidelity, probably because I'm a woman. In fact, I enjoyed my Kindle edition so much, that I'm going to order a hard copy of this book - I do so love the weight and smell of an actual book!
August 20, 2011
It's the best book I've read this year.
The book is about a woman whose life is thrown into contrast when Joey Ramone dies, and what happens after that.
It takes you into the heart of rock and roll, you can smell the van, hear the bands. Caryn captures beautifully the fan's sense of wonder about the world of rock and roll, and all the details are spot on, whether she's talking about the excitement of seeing The Who or the magic wistful defiance of The Replacements.
I don't like reviews that tell you the whole story - all I'll say is if you like music from the Ramones to Sonic Youth to Mudhoney to the Rolling Stones, then read this thoroughly enjoyable story. Like all great music books it made me go and listen to lots of music in the book, some of which I hadn't listened to for a while. In the case of Gram Parsons, the way his music featured in the story gave me a different way of looking at someone whose music I've been listening to for 25 years.
The book is about a woman whose life is thrown into contrast when Joey Ramone dies, and what happens after that.
It takes you into the heart of rock and roll, you can smell the van, hear the bands. Caryn captures beautifully the fan's sense of wonder about the world of rock and roll, and all the details are spot on, whether she's talking about the excitement of seeing The Who or the magic wistful defiance of The Replacements.
I don't like reviews that tell you the whole story - all I'll say is if you like music from the Ramones to Sonic Youth to Mudhoney to the Rolling Stones, then read this thoroughly enjoyable story. Like all great music books it made me go and listen to lots of music in the book, some of which I hadn't listened to for a while. In the case of Gram Parsons, the way his music featured in the story gave me a different way of looking at someone whose music I've been listening to for 25 years.
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