Punk Like Me

The cover of Punk Like Me contains the words; "A coming of age story, a love story...a brave, brilliant story of strength and self-discovery." The story contained within the pages of this book is truly a tribute to that statement. Coming of age is sometimes a very tough road to travel. Nina is young, energetic and in high school. Going through high school is a unique experience in itself. There are classes, sports to participate in, teachers to antagonize and a boy to date...if that's what you want. Nina has always known what she wants and where she wants to go so why is there suddenly a question of just where that is? Kerry is Nina's best friend and a contributing factor to the unexpected question. What happens between the two girls to even pose such a question? Suddenly Nina`s running a fight for survival each and every day so imagine what happens when that fight hits close to home...really close. Seems Nina's mother isn't too happy with the news of who her daughter has become. However, her mother's reaction is something that Nina would have never seen coming...not in a million years. Betrayed by those she thought loved her the most, and the loss of the life she has always known hits hard. It's a tragedy no child should ever have to suffer. Will she survive the loss? Will her friends, one friend in particular, come to her aid or betray her like everyone else? Times goes by, friends have come and gone, Nina has gone on with her life. Just as she figures she has it all sorted out, an old acquaintance returns. A friend who was once a bright spot in Nina's world...Samantha. A friend who was there for her when everyone else had abandoned her. Samantha, once a girl, now a woman offering Nina a future...if she'll accept it. JD Glass has given readers an intensely dramatic offering in her first book. There is a wide range of emotions that will be experienced while reading: amusement at teenage antics, amazement, anger, and disbelief as well as admiration for the character's courage. JD's next offering, Punk and Zen continues Nina's story and is certain to be as intense, as dramatic, as much of a terrific read as Punk Like Me.

If there is one thing that bothers me, it's when a book's back cover doesn't accurately describe the story inside. Such is the case with `Punk Like Me,' but the story is so engaging and enjoyable, I'll forgive the publisher... this time. The cover describes a story about Nina, a 21-year-old musician, and her prowess with women. The book is actually about a teenaged Nina, her struggle with her feelings for friend Kerry, and her tribulations after her parents find out she's a lesbian. This coming-of-age story is simultaneously heartwarming, heartbreaking, and enraging. Nina is such a believable character it's almost scary. She reminds me of friends from high school and is one of the many gay and lesbian teens who struggle daily with their fundamental selves. Nina deals with her growing feelings for Kerry, her best friend. Kerry seemingly returns Nina's feelings and willingly takes their physical relationship to the next level. This confuses Nina even more, as she tries to reconcile her parents' strong moral stance against homosexuality with her new feelings. Worst of all, Nina has no one to turn to as a mentor and relies only on an older friend after her parents learn her new, "unforgivable" secret. This book is truly for the strong of heart. As a lesbian who fought nature for several years before giving in, and as a mother, it truly disturbs me that there are so few places for our young people to turn. This book is a genuinely solid place to start. It's even better than books like `Deliver Us From Evie' and `Keeping You A Secret.' I'm looking forward to the sequel which is due out soon.

If you only read one book in the next six months, let Punk Like Me by JD Glass be that book. It is different. It is engaging. It is life-affirming. Frankly, it is genius. Punk Like Me cannot be easily dismissed as another coming out story. While on the surface it is about Nina Boyd, a young woman recalling her first experiences at finding love, it really is about much more. Imagine having your first sexual experience and not being able to share it with anyone, even your friends. Imagine falling in love for the first time and not being able to tell anyone even your parents and siblings. Imagine having all of these feelings as a teenager bottled up inside you and no outlet for you to express them. This is what it means to be a young gay or lesbian in America. But instead of feeling sorry for this young woman, we are uplifted by how Nina battles against all odds to remain true to herself as well as those around her. She is gutsy, smart and boldly honest. Nina recounts how she doesn't even think of following the easy path and lying to her parents, teachers and friends. Glass illustrates vividly the price that Nina pays for following her heart. With Punk Like Me we feel many emotions along with Nina, but the one we feel the most is pride and hope. Because every day there are young gays and lesbians fighting to find themselves and fit into a world that can be cold, cruel and unforgiving. This is our future standing tall and, most of the time, alone, and this is the impact of this story. At a minimum it compels us to listen and to remember. Glass wants us to take notice. Nina's story is a powerful message that reminds us of our responsibilities, and she does this without preaching or shoving it down our throats. Glass writes in the first person which creates an effective bond with the reader. Her rhythmic writing style, laced with humor, makes it easy for us to glide through the pages effortlessly, absorbing the full measure of Punk Like Me. This is a rare book in that it has a soul; one that is laid bare for all to see. We owe it ourselves to read this book, but more importantly we owe to our future.

As strange as this may sound, please don't buy this pink/purple cover version of this book - it's not the real-deal. The publisher has never sent any royalties on this although managing somehow to continuously sell it guilt free. If you're looking for the "real" version, you want the one published by BOLD STROKES BOOKS - and the cover is definitely different. Thanks for your help with this! JD Glass

I stayed up all night to read this - the first time on-line, the second as soon as I got the book in my sweaty little hands! JD Glass delivers a one-two punch in print - Nina is smart, doesn't know she's sexy, and is just way too cool - and she doesn't know that either. Her brother Nicky is everything you want your brother to be, and the girls Nina knows are the ones you've met - the nice ones, the bitchy ones, and the too cool for words ones. As I read this, I felt Nina's struggle to figure out how she feels about everything - from her best friend, to her burgeoning identity and her struggle to remain ethically true to herself - wow. JD Glass takes you on the ride, Nina tells the story, but you feel like you're living it - and if Nina's experience wasn't yours (or very close to it), believe me - it's definitely someone you know. Get this book because you want to laugh, get it because you want to cry, get it because the good guy, um gal, doesn't finish "first," but finishes with guts and grace and dignity. Should be on the shelf of anyone coming out, who wants to come out, came out a long time ago, or knows someone "going through it." You will be glad you did.