I spent another quiet day/afternoon/night here in my humble abode watching TV and listening to music … but I also devoted a good chunk of time to reading. I was so impressed with Julia Child‘s memoir last month that I was interested reading another memoir … so I picked up Just Kids by artist/musician Patti Smith.
Patti‘s book chronicles her early life as a struggling artist in NYC with her best friend, the late artist/photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Now, I’ve been a HUGE fan of Patti‘s music for years so I wasn’t at all surprised by how fantastic a writer she is. What I wasn’t expecting was how totally engrossing her life story truly is. I’m just about half-way thru the book and I am so hooked. I’m not too familiar with all of Mapplethorpe‘s work but I am a fan of some of his photography. He was a great artist … it’s very cool to learn how he got to be such an accomplished man thru the words of his very best friend Patti Smith. If you are looking for a great read, you need to pick up this book. To be honest, I’m trying to slow down a bit so that I don’t finish the book too quickly. I’m having far too much fun reading it … I don’t want it to end.
No plans for tonight, I’m afraid. I’ll prolly just spend another quiet day at home. David will be back home tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to his return ;)
Just started reading the Patti Smith book too. I can’t put it down! She is an amazing writer.
@Hillary — Yes, so good right? I really don’t want it to end.
It trully is a lovely read. It teleported me back to that time and I didn’t want to leave.
I’m excited! I’m about to see her read from that book tonight in the castro, so I’m glad to hear it’s a good read.
I also just read this book and found it the most beautiful, evocative book I’d read in ages! Also, I think it is an awesome picture of real artists and how they work and create. I can’t recommend it enough!
I loved that book! I couldn’t put it down… and I was so sad when it was over because it was like I’d lost a friend or something.
My gayBFF sent it to me with a note that read
“johnnie, I love you. You’ll always be the Patty to my Robert.”
Aw, for sweet.
@johnnie.gentle — OMG, so cute :)
Thanks for the recommendation, Trent! I am a big fan of her, but I wouldn’t have picked up this book otherwise. When I lived in MI, I used to go see her every year with Allen Ginsburg (and then at his memorial concerts)… can’t wait to read this now!
love that book! enjoy.
My book club just picked this! Needless to say, I’m in one cool book club.
I have read this book at least 3 times after reading a chapter in Vanity Fair I think. As a writer, struggling to find herself in a big city, I empathised with the struggling Patti and Robert. Love this book!
Hey Trent,
I LOVED this book! Patti Smith is an AMAZING writer!!!!!! Love her stories about being with the brilliant Robert M. in the early days in New York. I read it in a day — no impulse control. :)
The only non-fiction books (other than law school books- boooo) I’ve read the past couple of years were at your recommendation…Martie Antoinette (so awesome), My Life in France (so charming)…so totally trust you on this one. I need to pick it up!
Oh, this book was amazing. I never wanted it to end.
I find it too funny I just finished Just Kids and am now reading Julie Child’s autobiography about her time in Paris. lol! Great minds and all that :D
Absolutely right on . . . I’m about 3/4 through a first read. . . lovin’ every paragraph . . .