Like books music tells a story. It’s powerful. Sad. Vibrant. Angry. Wild. Like books, music makes us feel.
And I’m thrilled Stephanie Kuehnert wrote a novel to show us just how much music lives and breathes for her main character, Emily Black.
I grew up in the ‘80s where Madonna and Michael Jackson had me dancing around the living room floor imitating dance moves that would make others laugh. I didn’t dare believe I could write or play music, but it couldn’t stop me from dancing with an audience all the way until junior high.
What happened in high school? I moved away, and wasn’t as comfortable with these new kids around me. I couldn’t be myself. Oh, I still continued to dance to rap and techno that exploded in the ‘90s, but it was when I was alone, that I would draw and paint, and even write a little to the sorrowful words of REM and White Lion.
You see, I never favored only one type of genre of music. I loved it all and still do, and that’s why I began to collect movie soundtracks filled with various artists. I didn’t have enough money to buy all the artists I wanted, but I could buy a soundtrack filled with some of my favorite songs. Music from the ‘60s to the ‘90s, songs that made my heart squeeze and some that made me want to get up and dance alone in my room. 🙂
Even now, my iPod nano is filled with old songs that I still recall the words today as well as the new artists that can lift my mood with a few beats.
Like books, I don’t think we could live without the power of music. And kudos to Stephanie for bringing these two elements together in her awesome debut, I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE. 🙂
Here’s to Stephanie. 🙂
In celebration of Stephanie’s release, I’m giving away a $10 iTunes gift certificate. Leave a comment and you’ll be entered.
Kelly Parra is the author of the novel Graffiti Girl. She lives in a diverse agricultural town in Central California. Her next novel Invisible Touch hits shelves in September 2008. Visit her online at www.kellyparra.com.
ENTER BY: Sunday, Midnight EST to win the $10 iTunes gift card that Kelly is so awesomely giving away! Just post!
I soooo wanna read I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE, and can’t wait for it!
Travis
spongyman1026@yahoo.com
I know that I COULD NOT live without music. I need it as much as books, food, and all that good stuff. 🙂
Travis: Happy to hear! Def. enter the HUGE giveaway then!
Erin: Agreed. I need music. 🙂
-Lauren
I loved I wanna be your Joey Ramone. It was amazing!
Hi Lauren, thanks again for inviting me to help celebrate Steph’s release! I’m going to repost the blog and try and get more entries here!
Thanks again!
~kelly
Kelly: Welcome and thanks for being willing to help! Much appreciated. And thanks for spreading the word. 🙂
-Lauren
Great guest blog!! I can’t wait to read IWBYJR. Music and books are the best.
=D
I love all sorts of music! They really heal the soul and can really make or break your mood! 😛
I totally agree that I need music as much as I need books. Every Tuesday, I check out iTunes for new music and to see what the new free singles of the week are.
~Meredith
rosesaremyfavorite@hotmail.com
I’m really getting into books that relate to music – even if I find myself constantly judging the character’s taste!
pick me!!!!
music is the last thing we forget as we age — it is the universal language that speaks to our souls
MUST. HAVE. MUSIC!
I agree-music is as important to me as books. And I can’t wait to read I wanna be your joey ramone.
I wasn’t sure if I was to pick a winner or someone else, so I’ll pick…
Meredith!
Meredith, please email me from my website, http://www.KellyParra.com, your mailing address.
Thanks to everyone who entered!!