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Just Kids
Just Kids | Patti Smith
A prelude to fame, Just Kids recounts the friendship of two young artists--Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe - whose passion fueled their lifelong pursuit of art. In 1967, a chance meeting between two young people led to a romance and a lifelong friendship that would carry each to international success never dreamed of. The backdrop is Brooklyn, Chelsea Hotel, Max's Kansas City, Scribner's Bookstore, Coney Island, Warhol's Factory and the whole city resplendent. Among their friends, literary lights, musicians and artists such as Harry Smith, Bobby Neuwirth, Allen Ginsberg, Sandy Daley, Sam Shepherd, William Burroughs, etc. It was a heightened time politically and culturally; the art and music worlds exploding and colliding. In the midst of all this two kids made a pact to always care for one another. Scrappy, romantic, committed to making art, they prodded and provided each other with faith and confidence during the hungry years--the days of cous-cous and lettuce soup. Just Kids begins as a love story and ends as an elegy. Beautifully written, this is a profound portrait of two young artists, often hungry, sated only by art and experience. And an unforgettable portrait of New York, her rich and poor, hustlers and hellions, those who made it and those whose memory lingers near.
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review
BekaReid
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

Beautifully written. I definitely enjoy Patti Smith's writing. Solid pick and Seren-cat approved!

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BekaReid
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Yesterday was long. Traveling for work. 4 hour flight + 5 hour layover + 2 hour flight = lots of reading time. Finished my audiobook, an ARC, and started a reread of the tagged book, which is excellent. I love Patti Smith's writing.

lil1inblue I am obsessed with Patti Smith. Such a great writer...and artist...and musician. 1w
22 likes1 comment
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eeclayton
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

I had expected to devour this book, instead I read it rather slowly, it took me months to get through the middle part. It was interesting, but perhaps there were too many names I was unfamiliar with, and several times I found myself putting the book down and looking for other things to read. That said, Smith painted a vivid picture of life in NY as an artist, and the final chapters were especially heartbreaking.

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eeclayton
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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#WondrousWednesday @Eggs

(1) Read, walk, enjoy the colours 🍂
(2) hopeful
(3) Just Kids by Patti Smith

Thanks for the tag @The_Penniless_Author ☺️
Would you like to play @Dilara @sherrisilvera @Sparklemn ?

Eggs The book sounds great! Thanks for playing and sharing 🥳🥳 6mo
23 likes1 comment
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Billypar
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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...or just open your eyes and look at the picture? 🙈

Joking aside about People's attempt at click-bait, I do like how many celebrity book clubs there are now. Seems like a great way to attract new readers. All that said, I've never actually participated in a celebrity book club - does anyone have a favorite they would recommend? I'm curious what the discussions are like.

DivineDiana I too like that there are more celebrities forming Book Clubs. Thank you Oprah for leading the way! I read one book for Caitriona Balfe‘s Book Club. There was an interesting online discussion. Disappointed that she did not participate. There were a few facilitators. Book tagged. (edited) 7mo
Billypar @DivineDiana Yeah, I doubt that any celebrity will come anywhere close to the institution that is Oprah's Bookclub. I've never seen Outlander so this one was not on my radar but it sounds pretty good! I never thought about there being facilitators. Not as exciting as the celebrity host taking part but still better than nothing. 7mo
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Graywacke She chose a terrific book. Also, I‘m intrigued that celebrity book clubs are a thing. 7mo
Ruthiella I actually shy away from Oprah picks because she seems to really enjoy depressingly sad stories. 😂 7mo
tpixie @Ruthiella yes! I agree!!! 7mo
tpixie @Graciouswarriorprincess reads Reece Witherspoon‘s books 7mo
Billypar @Graywacke Yeah, it's an interesting choice given how different Patti Smith is from Dua Lipa. I wonder whether she was a fan going in. It would be fun to see more musical celebrities with book clubs for their perspective on other musicians' memoirs. 7mo
Billypar @Ruthiella I never thought about that - I only really know the books I've read that are Oprah picks, but yeah, I think they have fit that description 🤔 7mo
Billypar @tpixie Of all of the clubs, it seems to me that hers has the most devoted following. I'd like to try it at some point. 7mo
tpixie @Billypar 👍🏻🩷📚 7mo
31 likes11 comments
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TheSpineView
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Movie: Walk the Line

Klou Great!! 8mo
45 likes1 comment
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spaghedyy
Just Kids | Patti Smith
Pickpick

This was such a pleasure to read.

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Karons1
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Finally starting this highly rated memoir and isn‘t it great when the playlist is also on Spotify ! Wish all books 📚 had a playlist. It‘s on my #bookspinbingo #februaryreads list

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OliviaDeClue
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

A beautiful story of love and purity through the most unloveable and impure times. Thank you Patti and Robert for sharing your journey of such a sterling young companionship in the busy days of NYC.

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OliviaDeClue
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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“It took an extralong time for me to lace my boots, find my gloves, my cap. Robert stood grinning, watching me moving in circles.”

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OliviaDeClue
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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“When we drove back to the city, both of us agreed we had found kin, each as alien as the other.”

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americansapien
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

Very honest, down to earth. I hold a very high esteem towards Patti Smith, and this is the first book I read from her, hoping to get my hands on a couple more copies of some of the rest she‘s written. The book was very interesting, a highlight of experiences and yet very humble in the manner in which she has affectionately laid them out.

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ARTDJG
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

🙏 Lovely revisit.

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Cinfhen
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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#AlphabetGame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thanks for the tag @Allylu 💕Since so many others have already chosen Just Mercy, Im highlighting another NF book that was excellent. This memoir is an ode to NYC, and the simpler days- before fame ruined everything for two unknown artists; Patti Smith & Roger Mapplethorpe.

BookNerd9906 My favorite memoir. Beautiful and touching 💛 2y
Cinfhen Agreed @BookNerd9906 a beautiful story of a remarkable friendship 2y
CBee I loved this book so much ♥️ 2y
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Cinfhen Yeah @CBee it was special ☺️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing! ❤️ 2y
Graywacke My choice too. ☺️ It‘s beautiful and hung around. 2y
Cinfhen Well done @Graywacke 🙌🏻❣️ 2y
66 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Graywacke
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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I love good memoirs, and this one is unusually beautiful - on her time invisible in New York City. An unknown Patti Smith with an unknown Robert Mapplethorpe.

#Alphabetgame #LetterJ (*fixed) @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

AmyG Great choice. 2y
eeclayton This is on my TBR. She's such an inspiring person 2y
Graywacke @AmyG 🙌🙂 @eeclayton you have a nice book sitting there. Honestly, this was my introduction to her. If course I knew her name, but little else. 2y
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vivastory This is at the top of my memoir tbr 2y
Liz_M You might want to edit your letter hashtag 😉 2y
Graywacke @Liz_M 😂 thanks! Guess I lose track of the letters. 2y
Graywacke @vivastory you also have a nice book waiting for you. 🙂 2y
Graywacke @Liz_M fixed now 😁 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing! 2y
TheBookHippie This is a favorite of mine! It‘s so good. 2y
44 likes10 comments
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HannaPolkadots
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

My last read and my current read. So simply, beautifully written. So much I recognize and identity with. So much I admire. I need more Patti Smith books.

DivineDiana I saw her at the University of Pennsylvania when she was promoting her last book, “Year of the Monkey”. She ended with singing one song accompanied by a drummer. It was wonderful! 3y
HannaPolkadots @DivineDiana - lucky you! I would love to see her at some point 🤩 3y
DivineDiana It was sold out! I did feel lucky! 🍀 Hope you do get your chance! 🤞🏻 (edited) 3y
33 likes3 comments
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mjtwo
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

27-30 Mar 2021 (audiobook)
Evoking the grittiness and chaos of life in early 70s New York, Patti Smith made me crave a life that embraced art, insecurity and self-expression. Not that I was ever really that way inclined - I am too partial to clean clothes and good skincare! Still, it was inspiring and I loved the youth and naivety of Patti and Robert as they set upon a path to become cultural icons. Luck, talent or sheer persistence? Hard to say.

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1jules
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

Check out this book on Goodreads: Just Kids https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/341879.Just_Kids

SamAnne So good. The audio is great. Patti narrates. 3y
1jules Agreed! I listened to the audiobook version of the book & found her voice relaxing. 3y
17 likes2 comments
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plemmdog
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

I bought this last winter, just before I was planning to go see Patti Smith at a festival...and then the pandemic. So I put off starting it. But if 2020 has taught me nothing else, it‘s to let some things go, don‘t be a hoarder, and don‘t save the expensive wine for later. I don‘t generally like memoirs, but this one‘s exceeding my expectations, so far. Happy 2021!

glamhobbit This has been on my radar for so long! Nothing but rave reviews from what I can see 😁 3y
13 likes1 comment
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lonelybluenights
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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One of the books I go to for inspiration.

SamAnne Loved it too. 3y
4 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Emilymdxn
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

I adored this insight into Patti Smith‘s head and life. I‘ve loved her a long time and she was exactly as thoughtful and unpretentious as I hoped she‘d be. The friendship/romance at the centre of this book was so complex and interesting and I just loved getting to live in her brain for a bit.

#scarathlon2020 #teamharkness @StayCurious +6 pts

Ruthiella I also love Patti Smith and I adored this memoir. ❤️ 3y
emz711 Jonathan Strange 😍😍 3y
53 likes2 comments
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Ruthiella
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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#tropesinaugust
#friendswithbenefits

I loved this memoir featuring Patti Smith‘s early years in New York City and her deep and lasting friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe. I know this doesn‘t quite fit the trope but I read so little in the romance genre, this was the best I could do. 😀

Klou That's fine 😂 good job! 👍 4y
SamAnne Yes loved it. And she narrates the audio. (edited) 4y
41 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Neesay
Just Kids | Patti Smith

Where does it all lead? What will become of us? These were our young questions, and young answers were revealed. It leads to each other. We become ourselves.

3 likes1 stack add
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AmyG
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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- Just Kids - Patti Smith
- John Irving
- Jaws (movie)
- Jerry Garcia
- Jack Straw

#ManicMonday #LetterJ @JoScho

JoScho Jaws is a classic! 🦈 4y
51 likes1 comment
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Cinfhen
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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It‘s #ManicMonday #LetterJ
📚Tagged and it‘s awesome-sauce
🖊Tayari Jones
🍿Juno
🎤Journey
🎼Just Can‘t Get Enough https://open.spotify.com/track/1nPPh0CiKqVvYl4Mx1aZ21?si=6pHpZVkFStmHqTYIXWvvNw

Cinfhen And I forgot..... Michael Jackson 🙌🏻💔 4y
JoScho But you remembered Journey and I didn‘t! 🤦🏼‍♀️ 4y
54 likes2 comments
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ONH
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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“Where does it all lead? What will become of us? These were our young questions, and young answers were revealed. It leads to each other. We become ourselves.”

I hate when memoirs are just lists of dates/events. Smith insightfully avoids that, writing instead about the vibe of the eras of her life and of her relationship with Mapplethorpe.

Not only did this book inspire me to create, but it inspired me to approach my relationships differently.

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Read-y_Picker
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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#7days7books My day 2 pick. The book that I will never ever ever loan out to anyone ever. We‘ve all got one, right?

Graywacke Loved this! 4y
6 likes1 comment
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Ubookquitous
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

She promised Robert Mapplethorpe she'd tell their story and it took her many years, but what a great story it is. Patti is an amazing artist and her young adult life with Robert as they struggled to live as artists is poignant and funny and powerful. She narrates the audiobook - all the more magical.

SamAnne Wonderful memoir and the audio version is wonderful. 4y
21 likes1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

Of course this is a pick. I've had a difficult time concentrating with all the COVID-19 stress. I'm reading less than normal with all of the work excitement.
I did enjoy the #audiobook which was read by Patti Smith and just made this come to life that much more. #nonfiction #biography

102 likes1 stack add
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Chelsea.Poole
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Another Saturday morning breakfast of blueberry pancakes 🥞 and an #audiobook while I *attempt* to clean up the mess my little gremlins are always making. Loving this #nonfiction #memoir that I've heard such amazing things about.

103 likes3 stack adds
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Lizpixie
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Thank you @CarolynM for this surprise! Today was pretty awful until I found your care package in the letterbox. I‘ve been wanting to read this book forever, Patti Smith has always been one of my idols, she‘s fascinating & talented and Mapplethorpes work is extraordinary. I love the pin, Jubly-Umph make the best pins & the card is gorgeous too. Thank you for cheering my sad sick soul up!🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

TrishB Lovely ❤️ 4y
squirrelbrain What a lovely surprise! ❤️ 4y
Crazeedi 🥰❤🥰❤ 4y
CarolynM 😘😘😘 4y
SamAnne Loved her memoir! A trip to the 70s NY art and music scene. She narrates the audio—and it‘s great of course. 4y
68 likes5 comments
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BekaReid
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

Simply but beautifully told, I was immediately drawn in with her gentle rhythm and fascinated from page 1 of Patti Smith's memoir.

14 likes1 stack add
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BekaReid
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Evening musings with Patti Smith

Jeannineth I loved this book. It was like a quiet thunder. 4y
BekaReid @Jeannineth yes! That's a perfect description for it! 4y
14 likes2 comments
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Naominats
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Yet you could feel a vibration in the air, a sense of hastening. It had started with the moon, inaccessible poem that it was. Now men had walked upon it, rubber treads on a pearl of the gods. Perhaps it was an awareness of time passing, the last summer of the decade. Sometimes I just wanted to raise my hands and stop. But stop what? Maybe just growing up.

TiredLibrarian Loved this one 💕 4y
4 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BekaReid
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Started a new book this morning, which is really good so far, but I am a bit distracted as this furball of energy adopted me today 😻

TK-421 😻 4y
litenthusiast 😻😻💜 4y
15 likes2 comments
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Carissa-Green-Reads
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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I do believe in theme reading, so when I went to NYC in December, I saw the Guggenheim‘s Mapplethorpe exhibit while reading Patti Smith‘s great memoir.

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Carissa-Green-Reads
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Jane says, “Although I found myself charmed by these bohemian scamps, the time has come for them to go back to the library.” #returns

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Andrea313
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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I was definitely excited when this book came out, and I can't believe it's been ten years! Maybe I should pick it up again... #BookYouReadIn2010 #AuldLangReads
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚❤️🙌🏻 4y
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚😊 4y
13 likes2 comments
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YOMFD
Just Kids | Patti Smith
Pickpick

Dear Patti, rock and roll girl! I discovered a whole universe I did not know existed, artists I wasn't aware of and prose that read like water running down a stream. Perfection! 🥀

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PatriciaU
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Here‘s another “Best Books of the Decade” post - https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2020/01/01/another-best-books-of-the-decade-post/

And Just Kids is at the top. What a beautiful, beautiful book. Smith‘s writing is gorgeous. My favorite quote, from Robert Mapplethorpe to Smith as he was dying: “Did art get us, Patti?”

Cortg I need to read this! I‘m always hearing great things about it! 4y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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princesspeanutsmommy
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Current read

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SamAnne
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Pickpick

Wow. An opportunity to walk in the shoes of Patti Smith thru the NYC of the 60s and 70s and 80s. She crossed paths with so many artists and musicians. But the heart of the book is her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe that spanned decades. Highly recommend. Patti narrates the excellent audio! #tbrread #WinterGames #Jingleballera @FantasyChick

FantasyChick Awesome! 16pts 4y
39 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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lochi
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Sigh... How do you post pictures without cropping ?

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bronmcfar
Just Kids | Patti Smith
Pickpick

life changing

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LauraBeth
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😽😽😽 5y
LeahBergen Awww! 😆😆😆 5y
TrishB Awww great pic ❤️ 5y
See All 16 Comments
Soubhiville So sweet! Those quiet moments are the best. 5y
Eyelit There is way too much cute going on here (no complaints from me) 😍 5y
Megabooks Love it! 5y
DebinHawaii All my friends! 🐶🐱🐱🐱😘❤️❤️❤️❤️ (edited) 5y
Suet624 So sweet. 5y
LauraBeth @leahbergen I wake everyone up before the husband gets home so he's not aware they do this all day. 😂 5y
LauraBeth Thanks @trishb! 🤗 🤗 5y
LauraBeth @eyelit they're a bunch of freeloaders! 😹
5y
LauraBeth @debinhawaii 😘 😘 I've gone back to whole-food eating so I'm gonna be visiting your blog for some ideas! 5y
LauraBeth @megabooks 😘 😘 5y
LauraBeth @suet624 they're sweet when they're asleep! 😹 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @LauraBeth I now have 3 “stray” cats who have made my home theirs 🐈😽 5y
102 likes16 comments
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LauraBeth
Just Kids | Patti Smith
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I don‘t know HOW I haven‘t read this book yet. Finally bought a Kindle copy so I can read it this evening. Already a few pages in and I‘m in love. (Proof of life pic of Grey Cat for @AlaMich 😺).

AlaMich Proof of life, huh? Where‘s the newspaper with the date, huh? 🤨 5y
AmyG It‘s a beautiful book. 5y
LauraBeth @AlaMich this is true - I did it wrong! You‘ll just have to take my word 😹 5y
See All 6 Comments
LauraBeth @AmyG that‘s always the consensus around this book! I‘m already a fan! 5y
Leftcoastzen 😻 5y
Suet624 Awww, such a sweet photo. 5y
104 likes6 comments