11 books about the scene you should add to your summer reading list
Summer is a great time to sit back and relax with a good book.
Read more: 10 books by musicians that you’ll want to read immediately
With so many options of books to choose from, it might be hard to find a book that really fits our scene—one that cherishes a punk-rock lifestyle and creates romance through the sharing of mixtapes.
Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered with these 11 books, both fiction and nonfiction, about the scene that you need to add to your summer reading list.
1. Kill The Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
This fictional thriller takes a look into the depths of fandom, and how it can go wrong. We’ve all been guilty of obsessing about One Direction or arguing with friends about which 5 Seconds Of Summer member we each get to marry. However, after a few teen girls accidentally kidnap a member of their favorite boy band, they realize that sometimes, being a fan can go too far.
2. Girls To The Front: The True Story Of The Riot Grrrl Revolution by Sara Marcus
Take a look back in history at the feminist punk movement that took the world by storm in the ’90s. Some of our OG favorite female rock bands—Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney and more—had a huge impact on the punk-rock culture and women’s place in the scene. It will probably make you both angry and ready to take on the world.
3. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
This book is like the ultimate love story for teenage music lovers. As Nick and Norah go on the ultimate first date, they explore not only New York City, but their favorite musicians, strange humor and angsty feelings about the world around them. It teaches readers that sometimes if you let the night take you, you might end up finding something like never before.
4. Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide To Emo Culture by Trevor Kelley and Leslie Simon
This book is like emo for dummies. It’s the guidebook to the ultimate emo lifestyle that’s extremely hilarious and relatable. Both writers are also previous AP employees, so trust us that this is definitely a book not to miss.
5. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
This ’80s love story is perfect for all of us who feel like we don’t belong. This love story between two teens sprouts from mixtapes and comic books, which is probably the most romantic thing we’ve ever heard. Besides the love story, the book deals with super-important themes about bullying and abuse that make it multifaceted. Turn on some Joy Division and cry while you probably read this book in one sitting.
6. Wish You Were Here: An Essential Guide To Your Favorite Music Scenes From Punk To Indie And Everything In Between by Leslie Simon and Rob Dobi
This book covers basically everything about the American underground scene across the entire country. For any music lover, especially in our scene, it’s a must-have on your bookshelf.
7. Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo by Andy Greenwald
This manifesto makes the argument that emo is much more than a genre that is mocked by many, but it’s a huge part of being a teenager. It talks about why the emo scene is a pivotal moment in music’s history and why certain bands relate to so many people.
8. Girl by Blake Nelson
The main character is a thrift-store fanatic and a lover of the indie/grunge music scene of the Pacific Northwest. It’s a story of self-exploration and the weird firsts that happened during our teenage and young adult years, therefore it’s extremely relatable and a must-read.
9. Hairstyles Of The Damned by Joe Meno
This book is also about teenagers navigating the weird world of relationships and finding their place with the punk music scene. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth reading, because every book on this list is different in its own way, even if it does also include a guy making a mixtape for a girl. We have a type, OK.
10. So Punk Rock: And Other Ways To Disappoint Your Mother by Micol Ostow
When a few teens from a rich Jewish school play a gig at their friend’s bar mitzvah, they become an overnight rock ’n’ roll sensation. They must deal with all of the glories, and downfalls, of a rock star lifestyle.
11. Scale by Keith Buckley
Written by the Every Time I Die frontman, this book chronicles one man’s journey through his dysfunctional rockstar life. The book’s thought provoking storyline will make you laugh, cry and everything in between.