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Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs
Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs | Dave Holmes
65 posts | 33 read | 150 to read
From former MTV VJ Dave Holmes, the hilarious memoir of a perpetual outsider fumbling towards self-acceptance, with the music of the '80s, '90s, and today as his soundtrack Dave Holmes has spent his life on the periphery, nose pressed hopefully against the glass, wanting just one thing: to get inside. Growing up, he was the artsy son in the sporty family. At his all-boys high school and Catholic college, he was the closeted gay kid surrounded by crush-worthy straight guys. And in his twenties, in the middle of a disastrous career in advertising, he accidentally became an MTV VJ overnight when he finished second, naturally, in the Wanna Be a VJ contest, opening the door to fame, fortune, and celebrity you know, "almost." In"Party of One, "Holmes tells the hilariously painful and painfully hilarious tales in the vein of Rob Sheffield, Andy Cohen, and Paul Feig of an outsider desperate to get in, of a misfit constantly changing shape, of a music geek who finally learns to accept himself. Structured around a mix of hits and deep cuts from the last four decades from Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart" and En Vogue's "Free Your Mind" to LCD Soundsystem s Losing My Edge and Bleachers I Wanna Get Better and punctuated with interludes like "So You've Had Your Heart Broken in the 1990s: A Playlist" and Notes on (Jesse) Camp, this book is for anyone who's ever felt like a square peg, especially those who have found their place in the world around a band, an album, or a song. It's a laugh-out-loud funny, deeply nostalgic story about never fitting in, never giving up, and letting good music guide the way."
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review
JackOBotts
Pickpick

I enjoyed this memoir. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ His humor and writing style are right up my alley. I would definitely read more of his work…perhaps I need to visit Esquire.com for that… 🤷🏻‍♀️

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JackOBotts
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I finished listening to Dave Holmes‘ podcast, which I recommended to any/all 80s/90s kid, Waiting for Impact, so of course his memoir has jumped up my reading list. Not gonna lie, he should‘ve won the MTV VJ contest…Jesse who?! 😉 Looking forward to more of his story.

Megabooks 💯💯 Dave should‘ve won!! The memoir is great. I‘ll have to check out the podcast. 👍🏻 2y
JackOBotts @Megabooks yaaaaaaassssss! Let me know what you think of the podcast. I really enjoyed it and loved how it came together. I‘d lost track of Dave Holmes, so I‘m enjoying this binge session. 💜 2y
23 likes2 comments
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Thanks for the tag @Arvena
1. Read this about the MTV personality & pop culture guy earlier this year and enjoyed it.
2. Maybe Warren Beatty? I can't think of anyone else & at least the younger pics included will be eye candy. 😍
3. I've actually considered it but I'm not sure who'd actually read it. Maybe my nieces would get a kick out of it.
It's late, so play if you'd like to. 💛
#sundayfunday @ozma.of.oz

Megabooks Totally agree with two! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Megabooks About 11-12 years ago I went through a huge Warren Beatty kick, watching & rewatching his early films because it suddenly me just how stunning he was in the 1950s & '60s. Then I literally walked past him & Annette Benning in NYC shortly after & had no idea until my BF laughed at my oblivion. 4y
Megabooks Yes! And I loved Annette in American President. She was so charming. And then that sends me on to Michael Douglas. So many wonderful silver foxes lol! 4y
BookmarkTavern I had to look up who Warren Beatty was! I don‘t think I‘ve seen any of his works. What movie would you recommend? Thank you for sharing! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @ozma.of.oz Splendor in the Grass, Bonnie & Clyde, The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, and Heaven Can Wait are all good. 4y
39 likes5 comments
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Back in the ol' days when MTV still played music videos, but started to venture toward its current pop culture dumpster fire, Dave Holmes came into our homes as a contestant on Wanna Be A VJ. (He placed 2nd) This covers key moments of Dave's life with music as a guide. Even the serious bits are a bit lighthearted, making this a funny & interesting read that brought back some memories of decades past. #bookspinbonanza @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Awesome progress!! I also sometimes still follow that same pattern with satellite radio 😂 4y
Megabooks He did a radio show earlier this month about competing against and working with Jesse. I missed it, but I bet it was funny! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Megabooks I am definitely inclined to check out more of his articles and podcast. He's a funny guy who happened to find 15 minutes of fame and still seems down-to-earth and relatable. 4y
Megabooks If you‘re on Instagram, he‘s got a fun account, especially if you view stories! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Megabooks Thanks! Looks like a good account so I definitely gave him a follow. 4y
32 likes5 comments
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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"That was a heavy couple of chapters. Thanks for sticking with me. As a reward, here is a photograph of a young Grant Show."

I'm dead! ?????? I have breezed through 1/3 of this already today.

AshleyHoss820 😂🤣 Kinda think this should become a common practice... 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @AshleyHoss820 Right?! It'd be like "Sarah has just lost both parents in a freak windsurfing accident. Before we go on, here is a picture of Chris Evans to boost your spirits." 4y
AshleyHoss820 @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick 😂🤣 YES! “And then his arm was sliced off! To cleanse your pallet, here‘s a picture of young FDR, Jr.!” (If you haven‘t seen him, I highly suggest you take a quick Google trip...😂) 4y
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Oh hey, FDR, Jr...I didn't know you were a cutie. "It was indeed her lowest point yet." "Dear reader, I realize this might have hit a little close to home for you, so for retribution, here's a collage of all the best pics of young Warren Beatty." 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @AshleyHoss820 OOPS I forgot to tag you in my reply. 4y
AshleyHoss820 @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick *squeals* See!? I think this could be a fashionable trend! 4y
32 likes1 stack add6 comments
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heylaurenmack
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Digging Dave‘s throwback memoir. Some of the music is a little lost on me having been born the same year he went to college but Dave Holmes was one of my favorite VJs on MTV back in the day. I got reacquainted with him over podcasts like Never Not Funny and am glad I did. Gotta take a break from reading cause Mika keeps kicking me every time I try to scroll 😂

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TheDaysGoBy
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Pickpick

Just finished listening to this at work. I enjoyed it a lot! The idea of setting up a memoir like an album was so cool, and Dave is honestly a pretty funny guy. His stories were great and I loved his sense of humor. It was also insanely nostalgic for me, particularly when he talked about MTV as I was one of those girls who‘d run home and turn on TRL.

A fun, quick read!

Reviewsbylola Never forget TRL! 5y
TheDaysGoBy @Reviewsbylola Right? I miss those days for sure! 5y
34 likes2 comments
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rockpools
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This makes me happy 🎉📚🧁📚🎉

#LitsyPartyOfOne is happening this weekend, hosted by @Lynnsoprano @Alisnazzy and @MrBook

Dig out the Twiglets*, put the kettle on and read books.

(*other snacks are available, if you really must!)

So glad you guys are back 😊

wanderinglynn What are twiglets? I‘ve never heard of them. 5y
rockpools @wanderinglynn They‘re knobbly crunchy Marmite (yeast extract)-coated twiggy things! V salty. V more-ish! https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-twiglets-13653778.html 5y
eanderson I‘m so in! The introvert in me needs this for the weekend. 👍 5y
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rockpools @eanderson Yay! I was supposed to be being sociable, but they‘ve cancelled because of weather/floods/trains. What a pity! 😉 5y
julesG Twiglets remind me of Mr Bean https://youtu.be/Xtug7WqiNMg 5y
rockpools @julesG I‘ve never seen that! 🤣🤣🤣 5y
LauraBrook I‘m so excited to see this is happening!!! I‘m skipping a high school friends baby shower (we‘re in our early 40s and she and hubby are loaded) and was hoping for something to distract me from the awkwardness of self-induced guilt by not forcing myself to dress up and awkwardly talk to a bunch of strangers for hours. This is totally it! I‘m super excited now!!! 5y
rockpools @LauraBrook Yay! You‘re really not selling that baby shower there 😉! Partying with books sounds like a much better idea - Have a cupcake 🧁! 5y
60 likes8 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Dave‘s narration is what makes this good book great! Really fantastic accompaniment to cleaning out your bookshelves.

I think the pop culture references will hit right on with Gen Xers and evening some older millennials. I remember “I wanna be a VJ” well. And I was old enough that I voted for Dave, not Jesse. 🤪

I think this will resonate with a lot of people who have tried to fit round personalities into square holes.

Megabooks Making progress on my bookshelf cleanup on my Instagram stories! @megabooksreads over there 👍🏻🥳🥳 5y
TheDaysGoBy Sounds fun! 5y
MicheleinPhilly I voted for Dave too! 5y
Megabooks @TheDaysGoBy it is! Really enjoyable audiobook! 5y
Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️ 👍🏻👍🏻 5y
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britt_brooke
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DAY 2 #Music | Remember Dave Holmes from Wanna Be a VJ and TRL? His memoir is a fun jaunt into 90s and early 00s music plus a revealing story of self discovery. He shares what it was like realizing he was gay at an early age, the struggles to live life honestly, and feeling accepted.

#MOvember
@Cinfhen

Cinfhen This one sounds really good! I‘ve already stacked 5y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen I really enjoyed it! 5y
Megabooks I enjoyed this, too! 5y
79 likes4 comments
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JoScho
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From former MTV VJ Dave Holmes, the hilarious memoir of a perpetual outsider fumbling towards self-acceptance, with the music of the '80s, '90s, and today as his soundtrack.
It's a laugh-out-loud funny, deeply nostalgic story about never fitting in, never giving up, and letting good music guide the way.
#partyman #princeofjuly

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💜💜💜 6y
britt_brooke I really enjoyed this one! 6y
JoScho @britt_brooke oh good. It sounds fun! 6y
97 likes7 stack adds3 comments
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britt_brooke
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1. I really enjoyed the tagged memoir. #stackit
2. 311, No Doubt, Florence & the Machine, Rilo Kiley, OAR (older live stuff)
3. Elton John, front row center. Got to high five him. ✋🏻 It was pretty cool! I‘d like to see 311 again, but concerts really aren‘t a priority these days.
4. You‘re So Vain by Carly Simon, First by Cold War Kids

#ManicMonday @JoScho

MicheleinPhilly Concerts are so expensive nowadays. I used to go to shows all the time but am lucky if I get to 1 a year now. Although we are going to Pink on Friday so I‘m a little giddy about that. 🤗 7y
britt_brooke @MicheleinPhilly Ooh, that will be fun!! She‘s such a badass. 7y
JoScho I would be willing to bet we are about the same age with those bands you listed as your faves ❤️ 7y
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britt_brooke @JoScho 😆 I‘m 36 (and totally stuck in the 90s) 7y
JoScho Lol yep I will be 36 in May. We had some great bands in the 90s. 7y
britt_brooke @JoScho Too funny! 👯‍♀️ 7y
TheKidUpstairs 90s music for the win! Just a Girl came on the radio the other day and I was bouncing around in the car like a maniac ❤. I too will be 36 this year 🖐 7y
britt_brooke @TheKidUpstairs 90s music was the best! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 7y
DaveNeufeld Rilo Kiley 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 7y
Reviewsbylola I‘ve had people ask me if I named my youngest after Florence & the Machine. 😂 no. 3 is so cool! 7y
britt_brooke @Reviewsbylola Your daughters have excellent names! 💚💚 7y
Reviewsbylola Thanks! I got A LOT of flak for Florence but once she was actually born people shut up. 🤣🤣🤣 7y
britt_brooke @Reviewsbylola That‘s exactly why we didn‘t share names with anyone with our firstborn. 😬 We didn‘t care if anyone liked what we chose or not. His name is Vaughn. If he‘d been a girl, it would‘ve been Sloane. We did share with our second and initially no one was too keen on Holden, but of course, we didn‘t care. 😆 (edited) 7y
88 likes14 comments
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dariazeoli
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First of all, I am loving this book! I‘m listening to the audiobook, and Dave‘s narration is great.

Second of all, I still can‘t believe Jesse Camp won “So You Wanna Be a VJ” TWENTY years ago! What‘s he up to these days?

readordierachel OMG, I was just talking about this with someone! How could anyone have voted for Jesse over Dave??? 7y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ness
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Psyched for the next #LitsyPartyofOne! I'll be in the home stretch of this semester by then, so I will (hopefully) have time for some pleasure reading! You're the best, @Ambrosnazzy

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abbsinwonderland
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✨first time doing #LitsyPartyofOne but how could I resist? @Ambrosnazzy thanks for setting it up! #ambrosnazzyrocks

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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

I loved the music connections, the MTV stories that brought me back to high school and Holmes stories of awkwardness. Funny, thoughtful and full of great musical recommendations. #nonfiction #lgbt #memoir

shanebeth I love his sense of humor! great book! 7y
britt_brooke I really enjoyed this one! 7y
74 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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SteveWJones
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Pickpick

On my first visit to D.C.'s renowned independent bookstore, I was exploring Orwell, travel memoirs I'd never seen, philosophy books -- yet I walked out with Dave's book.
Great timing too, on the heels of me reading "Hillbilly Elegy." Oddly enough, the two give a great account of so much of my own experience.
#memoir #lgbt #popculture #mtv

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Jana
Pickpick

Usually a celebrity memoir feels like there's an air of fake modesty and made up awkwardness to give that relatable feel. Not with this one. Nothing felt fake. Just an honest, open recap of his struggle with himself and how he came to be comfortable, all set against the backdrop of music. The lack of humblebrag was nice, too, even when he discussed his time at MTV. The best part is the musical interludes, the stories between his story.

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AmbityScambity
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Woot!! Can't wait for the next official #LitsyPartyOfOne! @Ambrosnazzy made the wise decision to extend it through the entire weekend so those of us with busy schedules can participate! 🎉 I'm writing it on my calendar as we speak! #introvertsunite

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CherylDeFranceschi
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Today's galley haul. Noodles ordered. Pajamas imminent. Let's get this party started! 🎉🎉🎉🌝#LitsyPartyofOne

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beccaeve
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I love the idea of staying in to read en masse with all you Littens! Thanks @Ambrosnazzy! #LitsyPartyOfOne

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AprilMae
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So excited for this!!! #LitsyPartyOfOne February 10th be there or be square!!!❤📚❤📚❤📚❤

18 likes1 comment
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451Degrees
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This sounds like so much fun!! Here to being unsocially social! @Ambrosnazzy has coordinated a party date and it's gonna be awesome! #litsypartyofone ☺️

monkeygirlsmama Do you watch the new Lethal Weapon show? On one of the recent episodes there's a night club scene that's set up for the unsocially social. Everyone wears special wireless headphones and dances to the sick beat the dj plays, but everyone's dancing and listening on their own. The room itself is dead silent. 😄 The one cop teases saying it's his kinda place because he can be out in a social setting without really being social. The perfect blend. 😁 8y
451Degrees @monkeygirlsmama what a coincidence! I haven't seen that. Sounds like a fun time though just like this party is going to be😜 8y
monkeygirlsmama @451Degrees Yuppers! (And, the show in general is excellent, btw. 😉) 8y
451Degrees I'll put it on my list😉 8y
65 likes4 comments
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shanebeth
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one of my favorite books from 2016 was Dave Holmes's memoir. I love that one of the chapters is named after a Wham! song. George Michael has been the toughest pop music loss for me personally. I dusted off my blog to write about it, and I included a link to an article Dave wrote about GM's life.
http://eattchlove.blogspot.com/2016/12/thats-enough-2016.html

Coleen I agree. He was the toughest for me this past week (& all year) as well. I have this book on Mt. TBR. Really need to dig into it. 8y
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

A tone and voice that felt like talking to a friend, with fun stories and great music.

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ErickaLyn
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I was not familiar with Dave before last year, when I started going to Friday Forty at NerdMelt every month, so I learned a lot about his years at MTV. I laughed out loud often & I even got choked up on a few occasions.

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deefig
Pickpick

Great book, especially if you are an MTV child of the 90s!!

MrBook Welcome to @Litsy ! You've gotten off to massive start 😎👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻! 8y
deefig Thank you, @MrBook! 8y
3 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Megabooks
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The last four books I read with a #numberintitle #somethingforsept #septphotochallenge

RealLifeReading I like the sound of a "memoir in 21 songs"! 8y
Megabooks @RealLifeReading I know! It fits two ways. 8y
ApoptyGina69 I keep seeing this come across blogs and various feeds. Sounds like my style. In fact, that's always been an idea for my memoir! 8y
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Megabooks @ApoptyGina69 I must admit I didn't know all of the songs. 😉 I'm not a very musical person. 8y
LauraBeth What did you think of Tuesday Nights in 1980? 8y
LizKay This One Is Mine is a great book. 8y
Megabooks @LauraBeth I loved it! I gave it 4.5🌟. Very unique story! 8y
Megabooks @LizKay I'm going to have to come back to it. I got sick of books about dysfunctional marriages. 8y
NovelGirl82 How was Tuesday Nights? I am tempted to pick it up every time that I am in B&N, and just don't. I've been kind of waiting for someone who's opinion I trust to read it first. Lol! 8y
Megabooks @NovelGirl82 Awesome and some unique story elements! It was one of the best of the month I read it and in the top 10% of the year. 8y
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

4🌟 Very enjoyable book. I highly recommend it to the 30-40 year old set! So many 80s and 90s songs ran through my head. He writes eloquently about his struggle to be able to publicly identify as a gay man at a Catholic high school and college as well as at early 00s MTV. I wish there were a bit more about his post MTV life. A solid celebrity memoir that focuses on his life rather than name dropping, which is important to me.

Bibliogeekery Oo, going to have to check this one out! #queerbooks 8y
Megabooks @Bibliogeekery It's very good, and thanks for remembering the hashtag! 8y
Owlizabeth @Julz422 have you heard of this book? 8y
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shanebeth he has a new advice column on esquire.com! 8y
Megabooks Cool @shanebeth ! Thanks! 8y
Julz422 @Owlizabeth I haven't! Will put on my to-read! 8y
70 likes9 stack adds6 comments
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Megabooks
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I laughed so loud at this, I woke both of my dogs up. I remember this very annoying trend around 2000. 🙄😒

LauraBeth This was a horrible time in America 8y
LeahBergen 😂😂 8y
LaurenAsh I remember too...a big old side eye to the year 2000. 8y
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ScrappyMags Look at my profile yo LOL!!! 8y
Megabooks Lol @ScrappyMags 😂😂😂 8y
Chessa *involuntary shudder* 8y
BookishFeminist 😂 CRIB. 8y
Yournewfriendsams One of my neighbors talks about his crib all the time. It's so awkward in don't know what to do with my hands. 8y
Megabooks @Yournewfriendsams That is incredibly awkward! 8y
audiothing I quite like to hear people using the terminology of their time 8y
78 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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Megabooks
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Because I'm reading a book about the 90s, I need to have a drink from the 90s. I missed out on it then, but now I've tried it...and it tastes mostly like Pepsi but with a bit of a kick! Sassy Pepsi. 😉😂

sprainedbrain Lol. Sassy! 8y
MrBook 😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👌🏻🙌🏻 8y
Theresa Wow, blast from the past! If it sits in the sun too long I believe it will get a milky color to it. Just 1 of the reasons it was a product that didn't last. 😂 8y
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ImaginativeMom Sassy Pepsi! 😂😂😂 8y
CaitlinSiem When I think 90s drinks, I think of Surge haha. It was like amped up Mountain Dew that I was *never* allowed to have because the caffeine was so high. Can't say that I've ever tried crystal Pepsi but sassy is always good. 8y
Laalaleighh @CaitlinSiem I too was forbidden from drinking surge. It was so good though! Apparently it's made a comeback recently! 8y
CaitlinSiem @Laalaleighh What?! Really??? I don't drink much soda but I wouldn't say no to enjoying a bit of that throwback! 8y
BookishFeminist 😂😂 this Pepsi is just so wrong 8y
Megabooks @bookishfeminist but it tastes so right! And it's at my corner gas station. 8y
BookishFeminist @Ebooksandcooks LOL maybe it's just because I'm a Coke girl. 😜 8y
Megabooks I usually drink coke. I'm one of those southerners who believes it has magical healing powers, but I like the taste of Pepsi better. @bookishfeminist 8y
BookishFeminist @Ebooksandcooks Coke does have magical healing powers. I like its taste better than Pepsi personally. Pepsi tastes too sweet to me. 8y
Tayloralexandraxo Wait surge is back?!! Everything is making a come back! 8y
SaraFair So you guys did the Pepsi challenge? Lol. 8y
Megabooks @SaraFair Yes! 😉 8y
85 likes15 comments
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Megabooks
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Hey! I've missed you gals/guys today! I needed a no social media day, but I may be back for #litsyafterdark because who would miss that? 😃 Anyway, I've finally picked up a book after much hemming and hawing, and I'm really enjoying it. I recommend it to anyone born in the 70s or early 80s if you're ok with songs going through your head! I hope everyone has had a relaxing Sunday. ❤️💜

shanebeth I loved this book! 8y
Megabooks I think that should be our official #litsyafterdark emoji @bookishfeminist 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 8y
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BookishFeminist @Ebooksandcooks I agree, and occasionally 👠💋💄 8y
BookishFeminist Maybe 🎩🎼🎷 for those that would appreciate a more manful approach 8y
britt_brooke Glad you're enjoying this one! 👍🏻👍🏻 8y
Megabooks @bookishfeminist Definitely 🎷 just for the Arsenio factor! Also 💅🏻 8y
moranadatter What's litsyafterdark? 8y
Megabooks @kmdartist The six of us (or sometimes more) that are up discussing things after midnight. Basically the night owls and/or insomniacs of Litsy 8y
moranadatter Got it! I don't always know where people are in the world. Are the litsyafterdark crew from the US? 8y
Megabooks @kmdartist Mainly. I think we've got some early bird Europeans and some afternoon (I think) Aussies, too. 8y
moranadatter @Ebooksandcooks That sounds fun. 8y
Kaylamburson I just scrolled for like 30 minutes to get to the beginning of the #LitsyAfterDark hashtag page to learn its origins 🤣😂 I should have just asked @LibrarianRyan hahaha 4y
LibrarianRyan @Kaylamburson @Megabooks and here I thought it was the group that read the weird and dirty. All those Chuck tingle books and #dicksoapgate. But year we are also the insomniacs 4y
Megabooks @Kaylamburson @LibrarianRyan yes, it started as just night owls, and then got a little raunch over time. Lol! It was a hard time in my life, and I was just glad to have people to talk to when I couldn‘t sleep!! 💜💜 4y
Kaylamburson Haha, I assumed it was for the weird and dirty, too! Litsy truly has the best people ❤💜 @LibrarianRyan @Megabooks 4y
65 likes4 stack adds17 comments
review
britt_brooke
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this little jaunt down 90s and early 00s memory lane, but the book is about much more than that. It's about finding your place. Dave shares what it was like realizing he was gay at an early age, the struggles to live life honestly, and feeling accepted.

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britt_brooke
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This book is making me seriously nostalgic. What's your favorite 90s one-hit wonder?? #TBT

KarenUK Bitter Sweet Symphony (the verve) ... (At least in the US they were a one hit wonder) 8y
LauraBeth Donna Lewis Always and Forever - tied with How Bizarre - oh and I'm still bummed that "Laura" didn't get a shout out in Mambo #5 ☹️ 8y
britt_brooke Candlebox - Far Behind, I Touch Myself - Divinyls, Tracy Bonham - Mother Mother, Spacehog - In the Meantime, Luscious Jackson - Naked Eye, KP & Envy - Swing My Way, Marcy Playground - Sex & Candy ....... making a new playlist, brb. 😝 8y
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britt_brooke @KarenUK Yes, I agree. But, man, we loved Bittersweet Symphony! 8y
britt_brooke @LauraBeth 😂 Yeah, no Brittany, either. 8y
Alisnazzy God there are so many amazing 90's one-hit wonders, but I think my favorite is The Freshman by The Verve Pipe. 8y
britt_brooke @Ambrosnazzy I own that CD single. 💿 Great freaking song!! 8y
Alisnazzy @britt_brooke it's on my phone and every time it comes on, I still get a bit misty-eyed 8y
LauraBeth @KarenUK and @britt_brooke my friend walked down the wedding aisle to bittersweet symphony. All I can remember thinking at the time was, "is this gonna hold up in time or seem terribly dated? ? 8y
britt_brooke @LauraBeth That is awesome. 8y
KarenUK @LauraBeth @britt_brooke I think it hold up pretty well :/ or maybe that's just me! 8y
britt_brooke @KarenUK @LauraBeth We are still talking about it today so I call that a winner! 👍🏻😉 8y
LauraBeth I agree @britt_brooke @KarenUK - that's exactly what I was thinking! 8y
StephBengtson So many good ones! That whole Tracy Bonham record is good btw. Haha. 8y
britt_brooke @StephBengtson Good to know! 😄 8y
39 likes15 comments
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britt_brooke
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One of my favorite songs of all time!! I love the format of this book with "interludes" between chapters. I was prime TRL age when "Wanna be a VJ" debuted (I remember being shocked when Dave came in second to that space cadet Jesse). ?

jessberk13 I really need to read this. 8y
britt_brooke @jessica It's so much more than I expected it to be. I love memoirs and so far, it does not disappoint. 👍🏻 8y
Shemac77 Love Better than Ezra. porcelain is one of my favorites 8y
britt_brooke @Shemac77 And Rosealia. I was just googling them and didn't even realize they had a new album a couple of years ago. Mainstream music sucks. 8y
Shemac77 No way! I'll be looking that up. And agreed! 8y
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britt_brooke
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This breaks my heart. It shouldn't be this way. 💔

Gayan That is heartbreaking. 💔 8y
JacqMac Agreed. 8y
MrsV I agree. I can never imagine having to pretend to be something I'm not. 8y
britt_brooke @MrsV Me either. 😔 8y
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NerdyRev
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Pickpick

Not what I was expecting at all. I expected a- hey, remember I was a VJ and remember MTV, now I am at Esquire book. Instead, it was about growing up as the lone gay child in an all Catholic school in HS and College. It was struggling w/sexuality, coming out, etc. It also had MTV stuff, but it was pretty deep. Not particularly well written, but great for a youth who might be struggling to come out. 3.5-4 stars.

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NerdyRev
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This was my book mail today from Blogging for Books. I wasn't part of the Dave Holmes era of VJs, but it seemed interesting.

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Ais
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This one is up next for my bookclub. Looking forward to this one as it will take our book club out of our comfort zone, and will hopefully get the debates going!

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Kleonard
Pickpick

Dave Holmes needs to write another book and soon. ❤️

she_barks Ooh that looks like a good one. 8y
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MrsV
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Pickpick

Liked this book better than I though I would. Reminded me so much about growing up in the Midwest during 80's and 90's.

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shsnaps
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Itching to get my hands on a copy of this beaut by one of my all time favorite podcast personalities.

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MrsV
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Leaglette
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Grammar nerd! Swoon.

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shanebeth
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Pickpick

I came for the sardonic wit & MTV stories; what I got was so much more. We root for Bee Girl to find her people, but maybe she'll be ok without them.

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brendanmleonard
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Pickpick

As I said in my read-through, very surprising book! DH knows how to write, this I knew, but his gift of phrasing is quite stunning. A nostalgia trip through a far more innocent (but not without problems) time - but one that feels universal and true. And it's really funny! Splash Brothers. 😉

Mayread 🤘🏽🤘🏽Gil Scott-Heron and Sun Ra DAMN RIGHT. 8y
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brendanmleonard
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"Those kids are probably the troublemakers now." You're cruising along with fun MTV/TRL stories, and then DH decides it's time to rip your heart out. What a keen observer. Look at how he sketches the whole scene with the right choice of words. Pretty talented guy.

CaseyMoore Jesus. I can remember playing shuffle board at the bar my dad went to. 8y
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shanebeth
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Dave on the titans of TRL. Kevin's eyebrows were definitely a thing of wonder.

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brendanmleonard
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Was trying to read but then the breadloaf interrupted me: "That book does not look nearly as Important as the last one I read, Father..." (He's right but damn this book is good.)

quirkyreader Cute doggy. 8y
britt_brooke Cute pup! 8y
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brendanmleonard
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It me. (Or it was me, in 2002. And in 2009. When my GPA wasn't even a 2.4)

WordWaller I have this ARC! 8y
64 likes6 stack adds1 comment