On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist

by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

"On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist" is a fun, upbeat memoir about a girl who loves music and life in general. Maryanne paints a vivid picture of being a teenager in the 1970s and young woman in the 1980s -- and how the punk, new wave and rock scene was from a young fan's viewpoint. Life truly comes together for Maryanne once she creates a career for herself reporting on the music she loves, writing for publications such as The Aquarian Arts Weekly, music.com and Punk magazine. Unlike other music memoirs, there is no downward spiral into drugs and addiction. Nor is it a groupie "tell all." "On the Guest List" is simply a compilation of mostly happy memories straight from the pages of Maryanne's diaries -- and of course, her heart.

Genres: Music, Memoir, Journalism

198 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2014

Reviews

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Reading this book makes you feel transported to another time when the music was raw and real. Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta transports you with all of her vivid descriptions of the music scene and even if you aren't a die-hard fan of the bands mentioned or know their music, there is plenty to enjoy. She makes you feel like you're tagging along with her when she talks about growing up and having a voice through these bands that spoke their minds without giving a damn about what others thought about them.

Maryanne has such an easy-going, conversational approach to her writings that it's almost like you're listening to an old friend sharing her life stories with you. She seems like a really cool lady who would be fun to just sit and talk with.

The only reason I gave it four out of five stars is because even though she is great at describing the people and the venues, I wished that there could have been some photos accompanying the text in order to put a face to the names or see what she had seen with those performances. Besides that, this work is solid and I really liked reading it and would definitely recommend it to music lovers and non-music lovers alike. There's something here for everyone to take away from it.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

im curious to read some of her amazing and award winning articles because this book reads like a high schooler’s diary. she also needs an editor. maybe it’s because i’m used to reading self deprecating comedienne memoirs, but she is just so full of herself it’s distracting. I think she remembered every person who ever called her pretty. “He always told me I had the back of an 18 year old”. Really? He always told you that? Why would anyone even say that once? Despite all that her life was interesting. Music fans like this always make me feel like I need to step up my music appreciation game.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wedding planner such a wonderful job spreading joy to couples on their very special day. But why take a job that pays very little? The A list couple holds their very special day on a island with a dark past, but not only does the island have a dark past so do the guests.

Traveling back and fourth in time over the course of the book to reveal who actually has the most motivate yo make this day not so special.