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Baked Tapes
Baked Tapes
is a quiet, time-spanning novel about music, memory, and the ghosts that linger after the music ends.
When Lyle Bass—a once-promising Midwestern Gen X songwriter now in his mid-50s—uncovers a deteriorating reel-to-reel tape from his scrappy indie-rock years, it pulls him back into decades of buried ambition, creative obsession, and unresolved relationships.
As Lyle attempts to restore the tape—literally baking it to keep it from falling apart—Baked Tapes moves between youthful demo days, fleeting artistic success, long creative droughts, and a present-day collision with a younger generation who plays by entirely different rules. Along the way, the novel explores friendship and rivalry, love and estrangement, and questions about the dark side of nostalgia.
At its core, Baked Tapes is a story of love and loss—and of the way our personal history can grab hold and never let go. Told with restraint and emotional precision, it is not a story about fame, but about the pull of the past—what it means to keep creating long after the spotlight has moved on. It will resonate with musicians, writers, and anyone who has carried a private project through years of doubt, wondering if the result was worth the cost.
Baked Tapes is Bob Christenson’s debut novel.
When Lyle Bass—a once-promising Midwestern Gen X songwriter now in his mid-50s—uncovers a deteriorating reel-to-reel tape from his scrappy indie-rock years, it pulls him back into decades of buried ambition, creative obsession, and unresolved relationships.
As Lyle attempts to restore the tape—literally baking it to keep it from falling apart—Baked Tapes moves between youthful demo days, fleeting artistic success, long creative droughts, and a present-day collision with a younger generation who plays by entirely different rules. Along the way, the novel explores friendship and rivalry, love and estrangement, and questions about the dark side of nostalgia.
At its core, Baked Tapes is a story of love and loss—and of the way our personal history can grab hold and never let go. Told with restraint and emotional precision, it is not a story about fame, but about the pull of the past—what it means to keep creating long after the spotlight has moved on. It will resonate with musicians, writers, and anyone who has carried a private project through years of doubt, wondering if the result was worth the cost.
Baked Tapes is Bob Christenson’s debut novel.
209 pages, Paperback
Published December 30, 2025
About the author
Bob Christenson
2 books4 followersBob Christenson is a Detroit-area writer, musician, and web developer who is always creating something. Usually several things at once. When he's not drowning in code, you can find him writing books, making records, or sipping cocktails in his home tiki bar.
He lives with his wife and daughters in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.
For more information, visit mintcondishmedia.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook @its.mint.condish
He lives with his wife and daughters in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.
For more information, visit mintcondishmedia.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook @its.mint.condish
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 22, 2026
This book broke my heart. The intensely realistic depiction of the characters and situations allowed me to be genuinely stressed at moments of high tension, sad at moments of tragedy, and relieved when a little something positive lightened the mood. This short novel was maybe the most realistic-feeling writing that I've read, personally. When I finished it, I slammed it shut with triumph, having gone through this journey with Lyle and having made it to the end of the story (even though I imagined how the story might continue). Amazing, especially for a first release - and not to repeat history (in Baked Tapes), but I look forward to the next one.
April 28, 2026
Amazing first time writer.
Brought back memories as well as pulled at the heart stings. Loved it beginning to end.
Brought back memories as well as pulled at the heart stings. Loved it beginning to end.
January 1, 2026
While I may be a tad partial, I loved this book. The characters were so real and their struggles relatable.
Starting with a backdrop of the 90’s and spanning until a bit in the future, we see these characters grow and find their way into adulthood while navigating relationships, hardships and life paths. A coming of age tale that speaks strongly to the Gen-Xer mindset, with a nice dose of a music scene and laughter sprinkled in.
Loved the pacing and looking forward to reading more.
Starting with a backdrop of the 90’s and spanning until a bit in the future, we see these characters grow and find their way into adulthood while navigating relationships, hardships and life paths. A coming of age tale that speaks strongly to the Gen-Xer mindset, with a nice dose of a music scene and laughter sprinkled in.
Loved the pacing and looking forward to reading more.
July 17, 2026
Great story with great characters. Would highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews