Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Stratis writes a thoughtful and vulnerable memoir structured around the music, mostly dad rock, that colored her story. I have enjoyed Stratis as a podcast guest/host of some of my favorite shows and enjoyed discovering her writing voice and grateful she chose to share her story with us in this way. Highly recommend listening to the audio book
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Niko Stratis is a wonderful writer and Dad Rock is an incredibly creative idea for a memoir. Stratis maps her memories onto bands and songwriters from various eras in her tumultuous life. As trans memoir, it’s effective. As rock and roll mixtape, it falters a little but is always fascinating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Alcohol, Dysphoria
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Niko Stratis’ essay collection The Dad Rock that Made Me a Woman begins in the realm of typical dad rock, describing the music heard in her own dad’s headphones throughout her childhood (accessing the same emotions I have when I hear the opening guitar riff of “Money for Nothing” or the first chords of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”). By the end of this transformative collection, however, Stratis has redefined dad rock by bringing you along through her own story. It helps, of course, that Stratis and I share the same dad rock playlist, from the now-traditional realms of The National (the in my mind quintessential “Sad Dads”) and Radiohead, to the slightly off-kilter choices of Neko Case or Julien Baker. Never did I think I would be read so thoroughly by an essay collection featuring all of the sad man music I hold so dear to my heart, or by the simple description of saying a person looks like they’re very into Pavement. This collection is tenderhearted and open, written in straightforward yet staggering prose and as someone who came into themselves listening to several of these same acts, I can’t help but adore this collection and rush to put it in the hands of everyone I know.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
A reflective memoir on gender, belonging, and music structured around the musicians that helped Niko Stratis find her voice. Smart writing, interesting story. I struggled more with the chapters on bands I don't know or don't like, which I guess is somewhat unavoidable in a book like this. But I really enjoyed Stratis' approach to pop culture and sharing her experiences!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia
Moderate: Violence