I’ve been reading all of the Quarantine Blues pieces here on Pencil Storm for the last couple of months, and I have to admit that while I am very fortunate to be working every day, staying at home doesn’t sound that bad. I have been at an office working as usual, except a lot harder, since the very beginning of this dumpster fire of a pandemic. However, I have found myself pretty much homebound on the weekends, so I’ve had some time to read a couple of books. Mostly, I just like reading rock n roll memoirs, although “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson was really good. It’s about hiking the Appalachian Trail. Anyway, I will comment on the last three books I have read, and then tell you about some great music I have discovered from reading them.

“ALL I EVER WANTED” by KATHY VALENTINE

Kathy Valentine played bass in the Go-Go’s. Her book was actually great. It was a pretty quick one to get through, I learned some things and it wasn’t full of sniping at former bandmates. I definitely recommend this one. After reading this, I looked up Kathy Valentine on the Google machine and checked out her solo stuff since the demise of the Go-Go’s. It wasn’t really great. Then I discovered she is part of a band called The Blue Bonnets. Who knew? This is a really excellent band! Check out these:

“Bye Bye Baby” – The Blue Bonnets

“60 Punishing Minutes” – The Blue Bonnets

“FACE IT” by DEBBIE HARRY

Next up I read this Debbie Harry autobiography. I thought this one was just okay. It had some good moments and I enjoyed it, just didn’t love it. I discovered that there were a lot of Blondie records that I never even knew existed. I actually did already know about the album Pollinator, which is not half bad. I like this one:

“Long Time” - Blondie

“HIGH SCHOOL” by TEGAN AND SARA

Tegan and Sara are twin sisters from Canada. I like their music. This book is truly about high school and teen angst and sexuality, and not so much a rock n roll memoir, but it is really excellent. I had a hard time putting this one down. It is written by the two sisters, each writing an alternating chapter. I found the book on a list of great rock n roll books compiled by a Rolling Stone writer named Rob Sheffield. He has some really good books of his own, especially “Love is a Mixed Tape.” Anyway, Tegan and Sara are cool, and I already knew most of their music, but because the book inspired me to listen to them, I started getting those Apple Music things that say, “If you like Tegan and Sara, you might like…” And one of these “suggestions” was a band called Sick of Sarah. I really like them. Check out:

“Giving Up” – Sick of Sarah

“Bittersweet” – Sick of Sarah

That’s it. All five books I mentioned (the three rock n roll ones, plus the Bryson and Sheffield books I noted) are well worth your time. Stay safe everybody. - JCE