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Nimrod
Nimrod , a coming-of-age story about a sheltered teenager wanting nothing more than to escape the confines of his home and to see for himself what the world has to offer.
Rod is a daydreamer with a singular to meet Sting, the rockstar-the only person capable of fixing Rod's broken family and liberating him from his sheltered existence. It's the summer before senior year, and Rod has nothing to look forward to but sitting at home day after day, serving as emotional caretaker to his mother. She's still reeling from the passing of her firstborn son twenty years ago, a death she blames on the band Green Day. Music has been forbidden in Rod's home ever since. Enter Cat, the new girl in town who's everything Rod's confident, adventurous... and Green Day's biggest fan. When Cat presents him with the opportunity to meet his hero, will Rod risk sneaking out from under his mother's watchful eye to New York with the girl of his dreams? Rod must decide if it's worth jeopardising his future to save his mom's.
"A coming-of-age story about the power of music, the excitement of young love and the need to leave the hive. Rod is a daydreamer, Cat is the new girl, together they will discover the beauty of spontaneous adventures with the windows rolled down and the music turned up and blazing one's trail.."
Rod is a daydreamer with a singular to meet Sting, the rockstar-the only person capable of fixing Rod's broken family and liberating him from his sheltered existence. It's the summer before senior year, and Rod has nothing to look forward to but sitting at home day after day, serving as emotional caretaker to his mother. She's still reeling from the passing of her firstborn son twenty years ago, a death she blames on the band Green Day. Music has been forbidden in Rod's home ever since. Enter Cat, the new girl in town who's everything Rod's confident, adventurous... and Green Day's biggest fan. When Cat presents him with the opportunity to meet his hero, will Rod risk sneaking out from under his mother's watchful eye to New York with the girl of his dreams? Rod must decide if it's worth jeopardising his future to save his mom's.
"A coming-of-age story about the power of music, the excitement of young love and the need to leave the hive. Rod is a daydreamer, Cat is the new girl, together they will discover the beauty of spontaneous adventures with the windows rolled down and the music turned up and blazing one's trail.."
288 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2022
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Roberts
1 book8 followersRyan Roberts was in the seventh grade in 1994, the year that punk broke (again), and like so many others of his generation his life was completely changed upon hearing Dookie for the first time. Fitting then that his debut novel, Nimrod, finds Green Day at the center of its story.
From the world of punk that Green Day introduced him to, Ryan then found himself immersed in the underground hardcore scene of the mid-nineties where he continued to come of age. Hardcore in the nineties was extremely ethics driven which is where Ryan picked up his passions for the DIY spirit, animal rights, maintaining a positive mental attitude, and respecting the environment.
Inspired to become an active part of the scene, Ryan published his first fanzine, Counteract, back in 1996 at the ripe old age of 15 which lasted for a whopping single issue. A second edition was completed but never made it to the printers due to a lack of funds and an offer to play bass in a band. From then on he spent the next ten years playing in various bands, none of which you’ve ever heard of, before setting aside his bass guitar and opening up his laptop to create his second zine, Pins and Needles, which ran for three issues before transitioning into an online blog, which ran until he forgot the login information and let it die a digital death.
The only thing that comes close to his love of music is Ryan’s penchant for reading. With the encouragement and support of his wife, Gia, he set out to write a novel. The laptop was opened again and the result: Nimrod, a coming-of-age story about a sheltered teenager wanting nothing more than to escape the confines of his home and to see for himself what the world has to offer.
Ryan is now hard at work on his second novel, entitled Thing of the Past, which finds a woman on the verge of turning forty and in the midst of a midlife crisis. His writing meets at the intersection of literature and music so with his second novel Ryan has incorporated Death Cab for Cutie into his story’s arc.
Likely due to Seinfeld’s humor and storytelling playing such a formative role in his youth (and beyond), Ryan has an affinity for slice of life stories about regular people facing the complexities of the simple life. You will find no smoking guns in his novels, no dead bodies. Instead, you’ll encounter relatable stories about human beings, attempting to navigate their emotions in a confusing world and sharing some laughs about the absurdity of life along the way.
From the world of punk that Green Day introduced him to, Ryan then found himself immersed in the underground hardcore scene of the mid-nineties where he continued to come of age. Hardcore in the nineties was extremely ethics driven which is where Ryan picked up his passions for the DIY spirit, animal rights, maintaining a positive mental attitude, and respecting the environment.
Inspired to become an active part of the scene, Ryan published his first fanzine, Counteract, back in 1996 at the ripe old age of 15 which lasted for a whopping single issue. A second edition was completed but never made it to the printers due to a lack of funds and an offer to play bass in a band. From then on he spent the next ten years playing in various bands, none of which you’ve ever heard of, before setting aside his bass guitar and opening up his laptop to create his second zine, Pins and Needles, which ran for three issues before transitioning into an online blog, which ran until he forgot the login information and let it die a digital death.
The only thing that comes close to his love of music is Ryan’s penchant for reading. With the encouragement and support of his wife, Gia, he set out to write a novel. The laptop was opened again and the result: Nimrod, a coming-of-age story about a sheltered teenager wanting nothing more than to escape the confines of his home and to see for himself what the world has to offer.
Ryan is now hard at work on his second novel, entitled Thing of the Past, which finds a woman on the verge of turning forty and in the midst of a midlife crisis. His writing meets at the intersection of literature and music so with his second novel Ryan has incorporated Death Cab for Cutie into his story’s arc.
Likely due to Seinfeld’s humor and storytelling playing such a formative role in his youth (and beyond), Ryan has an affinity for slice of life stories about regular people facing the complexities of the simple life. You will find no smoking guns in his novels, no dead bodies. Instead, you’ll encounter relatable stories about human beings, attempting to navigate their emotions in a confusing world and sharing some laughs about the absurdity of life along the way.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and it really showcases what it is like for teenagers who feel like they are on the outside of everything and have nothing in common with their peers - until that find their person, that one who just gets them effortlessly.
The writing was engaging and the storyline was compelling with well developed characters that I took to my heart from richboy Frankie who gets everything he wants but isnt really happy, Mike the loner shop owner who never seems to leave the shop, Rods neurotic and hurting parents and of course Rod and Cat who I loved and was rooting for the whole time.
I loved all the musical references in this book and it made me remember and relisten to old Green Day albums that I havent heard in years and brought so many memories back. The book is also peppered with pop culture references which also make for really interetsing reading.
The writing was engaging and the storyline was compelling with well developed characters that I took to my heart from richboy Frankie who gets everything he wants but isnt really happy, Mike the loner shop owner who never seems to leave the shop, Rods neurotic and hurting parents and of course Rod and Cat who I loved and was rooting for the whole time.
I loved all the musical references in this book and it made me remember and relisten to old Green Day albums that I havent heard in years and brought so many memories back. The book is also peppered with pop culture references which also make for really interetsing reading.
October 3, 2022
This book just took me back. The language, Green Day, Sting, first love, challenging childhood - sigh. It was like a love letter to my heart.
Rod knows he is the after thought - after his brother's tragic death, his parents couldn't cope, especially his mom. So they had another son. His parents are older, still failing to cope. And Rod is just existing. He balances a careful life - one meant to not agitate, appease and support.
His dad suffers from a massive health issue - forced to spend days in the hospital, his mother close at his side. And Rod finds freedom, life for the first time.
Under his explorations of teenage life, Rod still yearns to finally come up with the magic fix for his mom, to finally give her peace.
Rod knows he is the after thought - after his brother's tragic death, his parents couldn't cope, especially his mom. So they had another son. His parents are older, still failing to cope. And Rod is just existing. He balances a careful life - one meant to not agitate, appease and support.
His dad suffers from a massive health issue - forced to spend days in the hospital, his mother close at his side. And Rod finds freedom, life for the first time.
Under his explorations of teenage life, Rod still yearns to finally come up with the magic fix for his mom, to finally give her peace.
September 29, 2022
I absolutely loved being part of this Readalong for September. I had constant personal flashbacks. Rod, Cat and even Officer Stewart are such well developed characters that are incredibly relatable. It was crazy not getting into the whole flashback to technology and even music that I used to but hearing famous names throughout from Sting, Jesse Malin and Joe Strummer made me absolutely swoon.
It’s the perfect coming of age book that really shows you how broken families can be. It’s not all doom and gloom and it has butterfly vibes in the last few chapters as everything sums up beautifully. What I really enjoyed most about this was seeing Rod come out of his shell and explore new passions in music. There’s some really important mental health key messages too especially in relation to loss and grief. This book would be absolutely perfect if you want to step back to the 90s and relive those emo days or just want a few new ideas on who to be at the next comic con. It was lovely really being inspired on how incredible vegan meals can be too. Such an epic read. Loved it.
A massive thankyou to the author, publisher and lovebookstours if this book gave me anything it would be to be more like Rod.
It’s the perfect coming of age book that really shows you how broken families can be. It’s not all doom and gloom and it has butterfly vibes in the last few chapters as everything sums up beautifully. What I really enjoyed most about this was seeing Rod come out of his shell and explore new passions in music. There’s some really important mental health key messages too especially in relation to loss and grief. This book would be absolutely perfect if you want to step back to the 90s and relive those emo days or just want a few new ideas on who to be at the next comic con. It was lovely really being inspired on how incredible vegan meals can be too. Such an epic read. Loved it.
A massive thankyou to the author, publisher and lovebookstours if this book gave me anything it would be to be more like Rod.
September 27, 2022
Thank you @lovebooktours and @Ryanroberts fot bring part of the September readalong and bring sble to review this book. This is Ryan Roberts first novel snd i really enjoyed Nimrod it made mr smile, sad and abit tearful. Rod is a lonely teenage and is not really aloud a life due to his brother dying and his mum not in good place so wont let Rod out of her site and dad just comforts eats because he does not knoe what to do but Rid life changes when he meets Cat who is new to town and is also lonely and has her own problems. I really like the Ryan writing style and you can feel the emotions and they do feel real and experinace there sorrow. I liked all the characters in the book especially Cat she so confident and adventurous. Nimrod is a teenage read and talks about music to. I could not put Nimrod down it is a great read strongly recommond this book 5 stars.
November 9, 2022
Sixteen year old Rod lives a sheltered life. The death of her first born son, before Rod was even born, has resulted in Rod's Mum becoming extremely overprotective.
Rod feels constantly compared to a brother he never knew and tries not to do anything that’ll upset his parents in the hope they’ll love him as much as they loved his brother. Most days for Rod are the same, until he meets Cat who introduces him to Green Day’s music and for the first time in his life he starts to discover who he really is and what it’s like to just be a teenager.
I had no idea what to expect from this book but the synopsis was so intriguing that I had to give it a go and I am soooo glad I did! It’s not often that books make me laugh out loud but there were quite a few moments in this that had me belly laughing as well as shedding a few tears during some of the more tender moments. There were so many great characters and I completely fell in love with Rod, he was super cute and so funny. His budding relationship with Cat was adorable and made me smile so much ☺️
If you’re a fan of John Green books you’ll definitely love this one and if you’re a Green Day fan you’ll probably love it even more. It’s such a feel good book filled with adventures and I was sad it had to end 💙💛❤️
Rod feels constantly compared to a brother he never knew and tries not to do anything that’ll upset his parents in the hope they’ll love him as much as they loved his brother. Most days for Rod are the same, until he meets Cat who introduces him to Green Day’s music and for the first time in his life he starts to discover who he really is and what it’s like to just be a teenager.
I had no idea what to expect from this book but the synopsis was so intriguing that I had to give it a go and I am soooo glad I did! It’s not often that books make me laugh out loud but there were quite a few moments in this that had me belly laughing as well as shedding a few tears during some of the more tender moments. There were so many great characters and I completely fell in love with Rod, he was super cute and so funny. His budding relationship with Cat was adorable and made me smile so much ☺️
If you’re a fan of John Green books you’ll definitely love this one and if you’re a Green Day fan you’ll probably love it even more. It’s such a feel good book filled with adventures and I was sad it had to end 💙💛❤️
November 6, 2022
🇬🇧📚 Book Tour Review 📚🇬🇧
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 67
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 97/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(5/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Nimrod
🖋️ Author: Ryan Roberts @theninetiesguy
Publisher: Earth Island Books @eibooksuk
🎭 Genre: YA Fiction
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages: 283
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
📅 Tour dates: September 2022 Read-Along
📅 Review date: 30th September 2022
Apologies for the late review.
#LBTCrew#lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback books, slightly matt cover. White thick pages.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
Normally I don't get along with white paper and black text (of this don't your) however the line spacing in this book, combined with short chapters lengths made it entirely manageable.
🎨 Artwork🎨
Beautifully bright cover artwork which extends on to the back of the book.
✒️ Style✏️
I particularly enjoyed the authors style. The charismatic way they portray the characters and the challenges they are facing. This is quite a gripping story, constantly wanting to know what is going to happen next and where the story will go.
I read this book as part of a read along and the questions were pertinent to the story and relative sections of the book.
An excellent read, I highly recommend.
📖 Read more 📖
Absolutely yes.
🎙️ Favourite quote🎙️
" Today we are changing things up"
❓Question for the author❔
Will you be writing more?
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Nimrod, a coming-of-age story about a sheltered teenager wanting nothing more than to escape the confines of his home and to see for himself what the world has to offer.
Rod is a daydreamer with a singular wish: to meet Sting, the rockstar-the only person capable of fixing Rod's broken family and liberating him from his sheltered existence. It's the summer before senior year, and Rod has nothing to look forward to but sitting at home day after day, serving as emotional caretaker to his mother. She's still reeling from the passing of her firstborn son twenty years ago, a death she blames on the band Green Day. Music has been forbidden in Rod's home ever since.
Enter Cat, the new girl in town who's everything Rod's not: confident, adventurous... and Green Day's biggest fan. When Cat presents him with the opportunity to meet his hero, will Rod risk sneaking out from under his mother's watchful eye to New York with the girl of his dreams? Rod must decide if it's worth jeopardising his future to save his mom's.
"A coming-of-age story about the power of music, the excitement of young love and the need to leave the hive. Rod is a daydreamer, Cat is the new girl, together they will discover the beauty of spontaneous adventures with the windows rolled down and the music turned up and blazing one's trail.."
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 67
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 97/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(5/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Nimrod
🖋️ Author: Ryan Roberts @theninetiesguy
Publisher: Earth Island Books @eibooksuk
🎭 Genre: YA Fiction
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages: 283
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
📅 Tour dates: September 2022 Read-Along
📅 Review date: 30th September 2022
Apologies for the late review.
#LBTCrew#lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback books, slightly matt cover. White thick pages.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
Normally I don't get along with white paper and black text (of this don't your) however the line spacing in this book, combined with short chapters lengths made it entirely manageable.
🎨 Artwork🎨
Beautifully bright cover artwork which extends on to the back of the book.
✒️ Style✏️
I particularly enjoyed the authors style. The charismatic way they portray the characters and the challenges they are facing. This is quite a gripping story, constantly wanting to know what is going to happen next and where the story will go.
I read this book as part of a read along and the questions were pertinent to the story and relative sections of the book.
An excellent read, I highly recommend.
📖 Read more 📖
Absolutely yes.
🎙️ Favourite quote🎙️
" Today we are changing things up"
❓Question for the author❔
Will you be writing more?
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Nimrod, a coming-of-age story about a sheltered teenager wanting nothing more than to escape the confines of his home and to see for himself what the world has to offer.
Rod is a daydreamer with a singular wish: to meet Sting, the rockstar-the only person capable of fixing Rod's broken family and liberating him from his sheltered existence. It's the summer before senior year, and Rod has nothing to look forward to but sitting at home day after day, serving as emotional caretaker to his mother. She's still reeling from the passing of her firstborn son twenty years ago, a death she blames on the band Green Day. Music has been forbidden in Rod's home ever since.
Enter Cat, the new girl in town who's everything Rod's not: confident, adventurous... and Green Day's biggest fan. When Cat presents him with the opportunity to meet his hero, will Rod risk sneaking out from under his mother's watchful eye to New York with the girl of his dreams? Rod must decide if it's worth jeopardising his future to save his mom's.
"A coming-of-age story about the power of music, the excitement of young love and the need to leave the hive. Rod is a daydreamer, Cat is the new girl, together they will discover the beauty of spontaneous adventures with the windows rolled down and the music turned up and blazing one's trail.."
September 20, 2022
This was a very interesting read for me, we follow sixteen year old Rod who is obsessed with the singer ‘sting’ he believes that sting holds the keys to his mothers happiness. He studies the lyrics of Sting's music looking for clues, his ultimate dream is to meet Sting in person and heal his mother.
Rod's mother suffers from crippling anxiety and depression which causes her to be overbearingly protective over her son Rod, which of course, affects his life in so many different ways. Her troubles started when Rod's older brother ‘Colin’ died before he was born, she blames the band ‘Greenday’ for Colin’s death and seemingly because of this carries a hatred for music in general. Rod’s father seems to just get on with things and isn’t really much help around the house or when it comes to being there for his lonely son Rod. However, he does encourage Rod to live a little but on the same hand he knows it’s near impossible with having to look after his mother.
Rod soon begins running around with ‘Cat’ an out of town girl who is staying with her aunt over the summer. Rod is smitten from the moment he lays eyes on her, so much so that he makes the decision to send her a letter containing some of his beloved ‘stings’ lyrics, but he chooses the worst song he could possibly choose!
The relationship between Rod and Cat develops throughout the story, the pacing is spot on and I found the two of them to be adorable together!
The book took me back to my teenage years, you can’t beat that warming feeling of nostalgia! The characters are all nicely fleshed out and each has a story to tell. I loved how Rod's character was written in a way that made him very easy to relate to.
Overall, this was an amazing read and I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author in the future!
5 stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Love Books Tours, views and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone. @lovebookstours
Rod's mother suffers from crippling anxiety and depression which causes her to be overbearingly protective over her son Rod, which of course, affects his life in so many different ways. Her troubles started when Rod's older brother ‘Colin’ died before he was born, she blames the band ‘Greenday’ for Colin’s death and seemingly because of this carries a hatred for music in general. Rod’s father seems to just get on with things and isn’t really much help around the house or when it comes to being there for his lonely son Rod. However, he does encourage Rod to live a little but on the same hand he knows it’s near impossible with having to look after his mother.
Rod soon begins running around with ‘Cat’ an out of town girl who is staying with her aunt over the summer. Rod is smitten from the moment he lays eyes on her, so much so that he makes the decision to send her a letter containing some of his beloved ‘stings’ lyrics, but he chooses the worst song he could possibly choose!
The relationship between Rod and Cat develops throughout the story, the pacing is spot on and I found the two of them to be adorable together!
The book took me back to my teenage years, you can’t beat that warming feeling of nostalgia! The characters are all nicely fleshed out and each has a story to tell. I loved how Rod's character was written in a way that made him very easy to relate to.
Overall, this was an amazing read and I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author in the future!
5 stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Love Books Tours, views and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone. @lovebookstours
September 17, 2022
Books and music are two of the biggest loves in my life! Nimrod uses these to great effect throughout the book, showing how powerful they are. Creating strong feelings - both of great sadness and pure joy as well as completely changing people's lives. Here we follow Rod and his family seeing how the effects of both come to change the characters in this brilliant feel-good story!
As the only child of a messed up family, Rod turns to music and the belief that he will one day meet his hero, Sting, who (he believes) will unlock all the love and happiness that's missing from his life.
I really felt for Rod as he sees himself as the replacement child for his still grieving parents having lost their first child in a car accident. Also feeling like he doesn't fit in at school and having no real friends or connections - books and music are his only escape.
When he meets Cat, all this changes. They get away on grand adventures together - both feeling a strong connection right from the start and as their relationship grows, they share the things that make them happy and have provided pivotal moments in their lives with each other.
Rod's character develops so naturally through the book and we see him taking pride in his achievements and really coming into his own by the end of the book. It was really touching to see how all the characters helped each other to overcome their own demons and to become their own best versions.
With references to some great music by The Police, Sting, Green Day, The Beatles and (for me) the lesser known Jesse Malin we really are taken on a journey which had me stop reading, only to put on and enjoy a few of the songs along the way.
I loved Ryan's writing style. So easy to read and it really felt as though you were their with Rod feeling awkward, getting excited, being overwhelmed and growing up.
A book that really makes you think, brings back so many memories and reminds us just how amazing music can be for the soul!
As the only child of a messed up family, Rod turns to music and the belief that he will one day meet his hero, Sting, who (he believes) will unlock all the love and happiness that's missing from his life.
I really felt for Rod as he sees himself as the replacement child for his still grieving parents having lost their first child in a car accident. Also feeling like he doesn't fit in at school and having no real friends or connections - books and music are his only escape.
When he meets Cat, all this changes. They get away on grand adventures together - both feeling a strong connection right from the start and as their relationship grows, they share the things that make them happy and have provided pivotal moments in their lives with each other.
Rod's character develops so naturally through the book and we see him taking pride in his achievements and really coming into his own by the end of the book. It was really touching to see how all the characters helped each other to overcome their own demons and to become their own best versions.
With references to some great music by The Police, Sting, Green Day, The Beatles and (for me) the lesser known Jesse Malin we really are taken on a journey which had me stop reading, only to put on and enjoy a few of the songs along the way.
I loved Ryan's writing style. So easy to read and it really felt as though you were their with Rod feeling awkward, getting excited, being overwhelmed and growing up.
A book that really makes you think, brings back so many memories and reminds us just how amazing music can be for the soul!
September 30, 2022
Nimrod is written from the POV of the protagonist, Rod, a 16 year old boy who is a young carer for his mum. I won't reiterate the blurb and I don't want to give spoilers but Rod has a lot to cope with in life and doesn't get a lot of freedom.
The first thing that struck me was the tone of the novel. It's so readable, in a light, conversational style despite it covering some heavy issues. Rod is a really likeable character and it's easy to become invested in his story. Cat is also a great character and the perfect person for Rod to have met.
There is a LOT packed into 283 pages. There are lots of music references and given that most of them are about Sting / The Police and Green Day it has a really nostalgic feel. The chapter titles are all song titles (or a play on words from a song title) and there is a lot about the power of music and the depth of emotion elicited from music, as well as the power of having heroes.
Parenthood, grief, family relationships and mental health are huge themes and there is some pretty emotional content but it's handled really well. It's refreshing to read about someone who comes from a working class family and who has to work for what they have.
There were some touching moments in the book and more lighthearted ones and it was nice to see young people being portrayed in a positive light. I really enjoyed the story and found the ending very satisfying.
I enjoyed this book immensely, it was so much more than I expected and it really does showcase a fresh new voice in storytelling. I would recommend this book to anyone and I since hope that we see more from the author.
The first thing that struck me was the tone of the novel. It's so readable, in a light, conversational style despite it covering some heavy issues. Rod is a really likeable character and it's easy to become invested in his story. Cat is also a great character and the perfect person for Rod to have met.
There is a LOT packed into 283 pages. There are lots of music references and given that most of them are about Sting / The Police and Green Day it has a really nostalgic feel. The chapter titles are all song titles (or a play on words from a song title) and there is a lot about the power of music and the depth of emotion elicited from music, as well as the power of having heroes.
Parenthood, grief, family relationships and mental health are huge themes and there is some pretty emotional content but it's handled really well. It's refreshing to read about someone who comes from a working class family and who has to work for what they have.
There were some touching moments in the book and more lighthearted ones and it was nice to see young people being portrayed in a positive light. I really enjoyed the story and found the ending very satisfying.
I enjoyed this book immensely, it was so much more than I expected and it really does showcase a fresh new voice in storytelling. I would recommend this book to anyone and I since hope that we see more from the author.
September 27, 2022
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: Coming of age, Music, Outsider, First love
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Car accident, Depression, Hospitalisation
“𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯-𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦’𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.”
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
This book was so individualistic, I’ve never in all my books read something like this. It was more than original, and I loved that it was based around music, most specifically Green Day and The Police. You’ve got the story of this young lad who doesn’t feel seen by anyone, not even his own Mum who has never called him her ‘son’. He’s seen as different at school and doesn’t really have many friends until he meets Cat. It’s a true tale of finding yourself as a teen, and learning where you belong.
Some really difficult themes were tackled throughout, but it made me squeal with delight multiple times because it was really good. Cat’s was my favourite character because her constant PMA (positive mental attitude) is inspiring. It was well written and the musical references were great, it makes any Green Day fan reminisce to when they were really popular back in their hay day, and it definitely made me hum along to the songs at intervals!
This book is similar to Lee Matthew Goldberg’s Runaway Train trilogy, so if you loved those, or you loved this book, there’s a recommendation for you to check out!
Thank you to Ryan Roberts, Earth Island Books and Love Books Tours for the gifted copy, and for allowing me the pleasure of taking part in the readalong.
𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲.
𝐀𝐃-𝐏𝐑
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Car accident, Depression, Hospitalisation
“𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯-𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦’𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.”
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
This book was so individualistic, I’ve never in all my books read something like this. It was more than original, and I loved that it was based around music, most specifically Green Day and The Police. You’ve got the story of this young lad who doesn’t feel seen by anyone, not even his own Mum who has never called him her ‘son’. He’s seen as different at school and doesn’t really have many friends until he meets Cat. It’s a true tale of finding yourself as a teen, and learning where you belong.
Some really difficult themes were tackled throughout, but it made me squeal with delight multiple times because it was really good. Cat’s was my favourite character because her constant PMA (positive mental attitude) is inspiring. It was well written and the musical references were great, it makes any Green Day fan reminisce to when they were really popular back in their hay day, and it definitely made me hum along to the songs at intervals!
This book is similar to Lee Matthew Goldberg’s Runaway Train trilogy, so if you loved those, or you loved this book, there’s a recommendation for you to check out!
Thank you to Ryan Roberts, Earth Island Books and Love Books Tours for the gifted copy, and for allowing me the pleasure of taking part in the readalong.
𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲.
𝐀𝐃-𝐏𝐑
October 2, 2022
This book surprised me, but in the best way possible. It
has humour, love, loss, family issues, teen angst,
mental illness, music, and friendship, all packed into
283 pages.
Rod, the story's main character, is someone who you
immediately root for. As are all of the characters. I
cared about them all. Even the ones who made some
big mistakes.
I loved Rod's fanaticism for Sting and the exploration of
both Sting and Green Day's music throughout the
book. I thought it showed the power of the songs we
love, to get us through some of life's most difficult
moments. It definitely made me think of the artists I
loved most as a teen and how much their music
meant / still means to me. J
nel
The relationship between Rod and Cat was brilliant, as
was the one between him and his Mum. Which was so
sad, but also moving.
Overall, the book was thoughtfully put together, well
written and original. It showed the side of America that
often gets overlooked by Hollywood - the working-
class families who are doing their best to survive, to
have access to health care, to just get by in small town
America.
'Nimrod' shows how sometimes the things that shape
our families are things beyond their control, and that
despite our judgments of them, they are all just doing
their best to get by.
A heartwarming read, and story that you will keep with
you, long after you close its pages for the final time.
has humour, love, loss, family issues, teen angst,
mental illness, music, and friendship, all packed into
283 pages.
Rod, the story's main character, is someone who you
immediately root for. As are all of the characters. I
cared about them all. Even the ones who made some
big mistakes.
I loved Rod's fanaticism for Sting and the exploration of
both Sting and Green Day's music throughout the
book. I thought it showed the power of the songs we
love, to get us through some of life's most difficult
moments. It definitely made me think of the artists I
loved most as a teen and how much their music
meant / still means to me. J
nel
The relationship between Rod and Cat was brilliant, as
was the one between him and his Mum. Which was so
sad, but also moving.
Overall, the book was thoughtfully put together, well
written and original. It showed the side of America that
often gets overlooked by Hollywood - the working-
class families who are doing their best to survive, to
have access to health care, to just get by in small town
America.
'Nimrod' shows how sometimes the things that shape
our families are things beyond their control, and that
despite our judgments of them, they are all just doing
their best to get by.
A heartwarming read, and story that you will keep with
you, long after you close its pages for the final time.
October 2, 2022
This was a really emotional read about a teenager who is looking for acceptance in the world — especially from his mother. The book also highlights the power of music and the effect that this can have upon our lives.
When Rod starts to venture away from home (something he just doesn’t do) his outlook on life changes and he develops more of an open mind. I think this is due to the new experiences he has as well as his new friend Cat. I loved seeing the person Rod becomes by the end of the book.
Cat has a huge influence over the changes in Rod’s character and I feel her ‘positive mental attitude’ really does rub off on him. Once Rod adopts this new found positivity it is like all the negativity in his life starts to disperse. This really got me thinking about how much our own attitude affects what happens in our own lives!
Overall, this was a really thought-provoking read. I would recommend this to lovers of YA contemporary fiction.
When Rod starts to venture away from home (something he just doesn’t do) his outlook on life changes and he develops more of an open mind. I think this is due to the new experiences he has as well as his new friend Cat. I loved seeing the person Rod becomes by the end of the book.
Cat has a huge influence over the changes in Rod’s character and I feel her ‘positive mental attitude’ really does rub off on him. Once Rod adopts this new found positivity it is like all the negativity in his life starts to disperse. This really got me thinking about how much our own attitude affects what happens in our own lives!
Overall, this was a really thought-provoking read. I would recommend this to lovers of YA contemporary fiction.
October 28, 2022
I love a compelling coming of age story, add in one amazing band and music that can traverse the generations. Then that’s a match I love. Nimrod is that book. I instantly loved the lead character, Rod and wanted to be involved in him thriving. I love being held captive to a lead character. The story becomes and event and not a book to read. Cat is the girl I wished I was lol. And the fact she loves Green Day was just the icing on the cake.
You know those books that you forget your reading and just part of the page. Nimrod is that book. I so enjoyed it and the way it felt real not a story just added to this great read. I love the reference to popular films too. It was like getting to know a friend. Part of that is the loss and sorrow and much as the joy and laughter.
As the nights get colder and you need a new read. I recommend Nimrod, it has everything and more. Then you will want to go listen to some amazing music too
September 30, 2022
4.5 stars.
I knew I was going to end up enjoying this book and I wasn’t wrong. Two of my favourite things in life are music and books, so with this book being centred around music I was immediately drawn to it.
Rod is a teenager who’s always felt as though he doesn’t quite fit in. He sees himself as a replacement son for the one his parents lost in an accident before he was born.
Then Rod meets Cat, I loved Cat she was great, with her outlook on life and her love me of Green Day.
There are lots of great music references throughout the book. Sting, The Police, Green Day and Jesse Malin (who I personally hadn’t heard of until reading this book)
I really liked the author’s writing style and I’ll definitely read more book in the future.
Thank you to Ryan Roberts, Earth Island Books and Love Book Tours for having me on the readalong and for my gifted copy of the book.
I knew I was going to end up enjoying this book and I wasn’t wrong. Two of my favourite things in life are music and books, so with this book being centred around music I was immediately drawn to it.
Rod is a teenager who’s always felt as though he doesn’t quite fit in. He sees himself as a replacement son for the one his parents lost in an accident before he was born.
Then Rod meets Cat, I loved Cat she was great, with her outlook on life and her love me of Green Day.
There are lots of great music references throughout the book. Sting, The Police, Green Day and Jesse Malin (who I personally hadn’t heard of until reading this book)
I really liked the author’s writing style and I’ll definitely read more book in the future.
Thank you to Ryan Roberts, Earth Island Books and Love Book Tours for having me on the readalong and for my gifted copy of the book.
September 30, 2022
This is an enjoyable coming of age book which portrays a typical teenager battling daily life, love, insecurities, and family drama. It highlights important mental health issues around grief and loss and how this can affect our loved ones – not just those suffering, in this case Rod’s mom who is plagued with crippling depression following the death of her first son which leads to her being overprotective to the point of suffocation. I loved the music references from Sting and Greenday – made me listen to some old favourites by the Police 😊. The writing was strong and left me wanting to continue reading well into the early hours. I loved the dynamics between Cat and Rod – would love to read more about them in future.
This did make me relive some of my teenage years and brought back some unexpected memories 😊 A solid 5 stars from me
This did make me relive some of my teenage years and brought back some unexpected memories 😊 A solid 5 stars from me
October 15, 2022
This book had a very original feel to it, it took me a little while to settle into but I soon did and loved it. The characters were so well written, I just loved Rod and could relate to him and his sense of being lost as a teen, then finding his way when he met Cat. One of the main draws to read it, for me, was the music theme running through. It is such a big part of Rod's life, for many reasons, and music has been with me all my life at good and bad times. I really felt for Rod as he lived under the shadow of his older brother, who had died in an accident. He felt invisible, I think as if he didn't really exist as a person in his own right. A lot of big, emotional issues were tackled, family relationships, friends, grief, teen angst the writing is so superb it just takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey through Rod's life right alongside him. A coming-of-age masterpiece.
October 18, 2022
It's Rods last day of his Junior year of High School. He is an awkward teenager, bit of a loner who is living in the shadow of his golden boy brother who died before he was born. We don't find out how to start with just that his mother blames the band Greenday. This has had a long lasting effect on both his parents, his mum is extremely over-protected.
Relying heavily on medication and Rod to get through each day.
There are so many moments in this book that just make you stop and hold your breath. I was so invested in all the characters. Rooting for Rod and Cat. There are ups and downs and dreams and hopes throughout the story.
Humour and rawness.
The writing style feels relaxed and honest. Short chapters to help encourage you to just justify the ohhhh just one more chapter.
This feels contemporary but also very nostalgic.
Relying heavily on medication and Rod to get through each day.
There are so many moments in this book that just make you stop and hold your breath. I was so invested in all the characters. Rooting for Rod and Cat. There are ups and downs and dreams and hopes throughout the story.
Humour and rawness.
The writing style feels relaxed and honest. Short chapters to help encourage you to just justify the ohhhh just one more chapter.
This feels contemporary but also very nostalgic.
April 8, 2023
Really fun coming of age book that touches on the parts of the NJ area that are off the beaten path. Had a bit of everything, comedy, drama, family ties, and love. Definitely openly laughed and cried in the book which I was not expecting hahaha.
Ryan really does a great job of getting into the voice/head of the main character Rod right from the start, which made for an easy and fun read. It’s also a very well tied together story. I really enjoyed some of the positive leaning cultural references to punk bands, clean eating, yoga, and the icon himself, Sting.
Highly recommend hanging with these layered characters and giving this local NJ author and book a read. Great book to bring to the beach when it’s warm out, maybe at the shore!
Ryan really does a great job of getting into the voice/head of the main character Rod right from the start, which made for an easy and fun read. It’s also a very well tied together story. I really enjoyed some of the positive leaning cultural references to punk bands, clean eating, yoga, and the icon himself, Sting.
Highly recommend hanging with these layered characters and giving this local NJ author and book a read. Great book to bring to the beach when it’s warm out, maybe at the shore!
October 3, 2022
After a month of the Nimrod readalong its now time for my review! Thanks to Ryan Roberts, Love Book Tours and Ei Books UK for allowing me to join in!
A debut novel, Nimrod is a perfect example of a coming of age story which shows the reader just how much families can be broken behind closed doors. It shows just how some teenagers can feel disconnected from their peers until the day they discover the one person in the whole world who just gets them.
Its a well written and engaging story. The characters have been made so realistically. Rod and Cat where the two characters I really took to my heart and just hoped against hope everything worked out.
I really did revel in all the music references throughout. The fact that I listened to some Green Day again made me think about the years gone by.
A debut novel, Nimrod is a perfect example of a coming of age story which shows the reader just how much families can be broken behind closed doors. It shows just how some teenagers can feel disconnected from their peers until the day they discover the one person in the whole world who just gets them.
Its a well written and engaging story. The characters have been made so realistically. Rod and Cat where the two characters I really took to my heart and just hoped against hope everything worked out.
I really did revel in all the music references throughout. The fact that I listened to some Green Day again made me think about the years gone by.
November 27, 2022
I loved this book, not just because of what it made me remember --and it made me remember much and more-- but because of the characters I found within this story. I love love loved this book.
Strongly recommend to anyone who wants to step back in time, or into the soul of a ordinary person dealing with extraordinary pressures. It's called growing up, and it hurts in spite of the beauty of it all, it hurts, and maybe it's the hurting that we remember so well.
Nimrod is a book for anyone. On a scale of 1-5 stars I would like to give this book at least fourteen stars and to have the ability to send a copy to my younger self.
Strongly recommend to anyone who wants to step back in time, or into the soul of a ordinary person dealing with extraordinary pressures. It's called growing up, and it hurts in spite of the beauty of it all, it hurts, and maybe it's the hurting that we remember so well.
Nimrod is a book for anyone. On a scale of 1-5 stars I would like to give this book at least fourteen stars and to have the ability to send a copy to my younger self.
January 29, 2023
A bit of a change from what I’ve been reading lately, but once I saw that it takes place where I grew up, I was in. A huge accomplishment for a debut novel from Ryan Roberts. As a kid who grew up in the 80’s, came of age in the 90’s and brimming from the punk rock persuasion, this story really brought back and made me bit emo at times. Which was more towards the late 90’s for me.
A coming of age story with great pacing, humor, and how music shaped every NJ summer filled with love, loss and seeking one’s self. This was growing up then and there. Roberts captures this extremely well.
Looking forward to what’s next from this new 90’s guy on indie scene.
A coming of age story with great pacing, humor, and how music shaped every NJ summer filled with love, loss and seeking one’s self. This was growing up then and there. Roberts captures this extremely well.
Looking forward to what’s next from this new 90’s guy on indie scene.
July 24, 2022
Fun and tender story of two outcast teens who find each other and then find themselves. Lovely, sweet story. Roberts intertwines the music of Sting and Green Day to connect Rod and Cat. While I was reading the book my head kept playing , “Every step you take”. This book was a great, easy read. Cool, funny, tender. This book would appeal to all ages and could be a wonderful Book Club selection touching on the subject of dysfunctional families and stepping away from the “hive”. I loved the character development and you really root for all the characters!
August 16, 2022
This book is for the teenagers who don't fit in. It spoke volumes to me about my teenage years, recalling memories I had long since suppressed.
There's a lot of pop culture references, if you don't get them, chances are you are 30+ like me but I didn't let that detract from my enjoyment.
I really felt for Rod, living his life in the shadow of Colin's ghost and believing Green Day are out to ruin your life. Its a tough existence for a teenage boy, but Cat and a little bit of P.M.A saw him through.
I think we could all use some more P.M.A in our lives and this book reinforces that.
There's a lot of pop culture references, if you don't get them, chances are you are 30+ like me but I didn't let that detract from my enjoyment.
I really felt for Rod, living his life in the shadow of Colin's ghost and believing Green Day are out to ruin your life. Its a tough existence for a teenage boy, but Cat and a little bit of P.M.A saw him through.
I think we could all use some more P.M.A in our lives and this book reinforces that.
October 1, 2022
Nimrod brought me right back to my days as an angsty teen. The book gave me Aidrian Mole Vibes but modernised. I really loved Rod, the main character, with his obsession with Sting and his dislike of Greenday because they killed his brother! He is very sweet, very patient and understanding with his over bearing mother and I was cheering on his acts of rebellion as they started out small and got bigger and bigger. The characters are well developed with relatable back stories.
Nimrod is a witty, funny and engaging coming of age novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Nimrod is a witty, funny and engaging coming of age novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
September 7, 2022
Loved reading this book! Heavily music related and relatable to artists I know of. Loved Rod's interest in Sting and how he lives by Sting's rules in life. Meeting Cat was a huge part for Rod and made him come out of himself.
Can Rod and Cat heal Rod's broken family after the loss of his brother?
What's Mike's secret?
Will his mum ever stop resenting Green Day?
This book was brilliant and I was hooked from the start!
Can Rod and Cat heal Rod's broken family after the loss of his brother?
What's Mike's secret?
Will his mum ever stop resenting Green Day?
This book was brilliant and I was hooked from the start!
October 4, 2022
I loved this book! It completely took me by surprise, in a wonderful way.
Nimrod's main protaganist Rod is a wonderful character to take the story through. He is somewhat of an outcast, but has close friends that 'get' him and encourage his querky ways.
His love of Sting spoke to me so much- I was a Take That fanatic (okay fine, I still am) and their music was pivotal in my life, as I think Sting is for Rod. Then Green Day comes into the book, and I became hugely nostalgic from when my siblings played their music in our childhood.
This book is full of musical references which will delight fans of the aforementioned bands, but Rod's story is really rather special and will give the reader a variety of emotion, but ultimately with a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts.
Nimrod's main protaganist Rod is a wonderful character to take the story through. He is somewhat of an outcast, but has close friends that 'get' him and encourage his querky ways.
His love of Sting spoke to me so much- I was a Take That fanatic (okay fine, I still am) and their music was pivotal in my life, as I think Sting is for Rod. Then Green Day comes into the book, and I became hugely nostalgic from when my siblings played their music in our childhood.
This book is full of musical references which will delight fans of the aforementioned bands, but Rod's story is really rather special and will give the reader a variety of emotion, but ultimately with a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts.
July 12, 2022
A music infused coming-of-age story about a Sting obsessed 16 year old. Raised by extremely overprotective parents in a small New Jersey town. Fully charged with charm, humor, heart, and a love of Bee Movie. This is Perks of Being a Wallflower for a new generation.
November 24, 2024
As a Jersey boy raised just a couple towns over from Neshanic Station, and whose world was also opened up through the power of music, Rod’s heartfelt story of self-discovery was a joy to read. I had the time of my life with this book and I hope you will too.
October 3, 2022
AD/PR Gifted Nimrod by Ryan Roberts @theninetiesguy
I took part in the @lovebookstours readalong this month for Nimrod. I had no expectations for it I wasn't entirely sure from the cover that it would be my thing but the blurb got me along with the reference to Green Day who were extremely popular along my peers at high school way back when.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved it I'm going to go so far as to say it's up there as one of my favourites that I've read this year and that totally surprised me. The chapters are short and to the point, we follow Rod who see Green Day as the black cloud over his life having led to the death of his brother and Sting as the possible solution to his mother's unhappiness. This book had me laughing at points and crying at others. Its one of those books you can relate to because we've all been there not in those exact circumstances but as a teenager trying to find their place in their environment and family, first love, grief everything. I am almost certain this is going to be one of my top 5 this year. Its not the sort of book I would usually pick but I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
I took part in the @lovebookstours readalong this month for Nimrod. I had no expectations for it I wasn't entirely sure from the cover that it would be my thing but the blurb got me along with the reference to Green Day who were extremely popular along my peers at high school way back when.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved it I'm going to go so far as to say it's up there as one of my favourites that I've read this year and that totally surprised me. The chapters are short and to the point, we follow Rod who see Green Day as the black cloud over his life having led to the death of his brother and Sting as the possible solution to his mother's unhappiness. This book had me laughing at points and crying at others. Its one of those books you can relate to because we've all been there not in those exact circumstances but as a teenager trying to find their place in their environment and family, first love, grief everything. I am almost certain this is going to be one of my top 5 this year. Its not the sort of book I would usually pick but I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews