The Children’s Book Review | November 28, 2016
Rob Rufus is a musician and writer living in Nashville. His band, Blacklist Royals, has released two full-length albums and played in sixteen countries over the past five years. Rob has written articles for Modern Drummer, Amp Magazine, Digital Tour Bus, and many music sites. Rob also works closely with the cancer community, including the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Stupid Cancer Podcast (the largest advocacy/support organization worldwide for teens with cancer), and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
I write because …
It’s the only way to carve my name into the void of eternity.
I read because …
It’s the ultimate escape, and the best way I’ve found to gain insight into my own, life and the lives and experiences of others.
My latest published book is …
I wrote this book because …
I’d self-destruct if I didn’t.
Best moment …
The moment you vibe that she digs you for real.
My special place to write is …
My bedroom beside my chubby-ass dogs, or Ugly Mugs coffee shop in East Nashville, with about three cappuccinos.
Necessary writing/creativity tool…
My space heater, because the hum shuts out the world around me and lets me think internally.
The person who has been my greatest writing teacher or inspiration is …
Probably Charles Bukowski, because he writes like a man’s man, but is touching and funny and beautiful and brutal and true. And he found success late in life, ha-ha, so I think I’ve found some comfort in that.
Currently reading …
Songs of the Doomed, by Hunter S. Thompson.
Favorite bookshop …
We have two great ones here in Nashville, Parnassus Books on the west side and Her Bookshop on the east side.
All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t write …
Um, I’d say IT, by Stephen King. Does that count? Ha-ha.
Favorite illustrator…
Jeannine Cannon, from Be Ugly, because her stuff is inspired and offensive in the very best ways.
A literary character I would like to vacation with …
Sissy Hankshaw, from Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.
When I am not reading or writing I am …
Going to concerts, stalking through record stores, or watching the news and screaming at my TV.
Connect …
RobRufus.net | Twitter | Instagram
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Written by Rob Rufus
Publisher’s Synopsis: In the tradition of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl comes the incredibly moving true story of a teenager diagnosed with cancer and how music was the one thing that helped him get through his darkest days.
Punk’s not dead in rural West Virginia. In fact, it blares constantly from the basement of Rob and Nat Rufus—identical twin brothers with spiked hair, black leather jackets, and the most kick-ass record collection in Appalachia. To them, school (and pretty much everything else) sucks. But what can you expect when you’re the only punks in town?
When the brothers start their own band, their lives begin to change: they meet friends, they attract girls, and they finally get invited to join a national tour and get out of their rat box little town.
But their plans are cut short when Rob is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that has already progressed to Stage Four. Not only are his dreams of punk rock stardom completely shredded, there is a very real threat that this is one battle that can’t be won.
While Rob suffers through nightmarish treatments and debilitating surgery, Nat continues on their band’s road to success alone. But as Rob’s life diverges from his brother’s, he learns to find strength within himself and through his music. Die Young With Me is a raw, honest account of a brave teen’s fight with cancer and the many ways music helped him cope through his recovery.
Ages 16+ | Publisher: Touchstone | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1501142611
Available Here:
Discover more books like Die Young with Me: A Memoir, by Rob Rufus, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Books About Cancer, Illness, Memoirs, Music, Musician, Terminal Illness, and Young Adult; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.