This book has all the good, bad and ugly that previous reviewers have mentioned, but reading it so shortly after finishing Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist, I didn't find the philosophical ironies irritating, but more revealing and human. You can be a feminist and still dislike Courtney Love. How feminist is it to rag on her nose? Not very, but it was human moments like this that I found most engaging. This is a book that made me take notes on things to read and art to look at. I am amazed at Gordon's capacity for philosophical discourse, even if she doesn't always take her own advice.

The beginning was definitely difficult to read, as I'm sure it was difficult to write about the breakdown of a marriage while still working together and that anger comes through in several places. Her relationship with her brother dominates her childhood, leaving her with more...maybe not anger, but angst. Honestly, I was surprised that her brother became the focus of her development, while her parents seem to be only halfway there on the best of days. I'll stop with the armchair psychology and just say that this is an interesting and engaging read about Gordon's life and her art, whether or not you are a fan of Sonic Youth.

Here's a compelling read about a truly fascinating life, from an unusual and sharp perspective. This includes Gordon's viewing her life choices in the context of her childhood and her socialization. She speaks well and in detail of her work relationship with Thurston Moore, and of his character and fatherhood; she touches on their difficult split only briefly. Her art-school background and privileged but genuinely painful youth add a lot of character to the book. I especially think that fans of Patti Smith's last 2 books might like it.

A memoir unlike any I've read before. Kim Gordon's choppy, yet descriptive, prose was surprisingly easy to read. And I was glad for it! Because who better than the kick-ass bass player from Sonic Youth to conjure up such a heady work about her life, love, and hurt. If you want a memoir that is unconventional and un-linear (is that a word? Probably not. But it's the only way to describe it), then I dare you to read Girl In a Band.

I enjoyed this memoir- I think it helps if you're a fan of Sonic Youth, but it's a well written memoir, as well as an interesting look at NYC in the 70's-80's.

I loved reading about Kim growing up in the sixties, traveling, infiltrating the NYC art scene, meeting Thurston Moore and Sonic Youth's formation. I liked her descriptions of NY in the 70s and 80s. But I was left still feeling like I wanted more of who she was as a person. The marriage part is too recent and raw and at times it feels like Kim was still too bitter for real reflection. Having said that, Kim Gordon is an icon of counter-culture. I looked up to her when I was a teen, and after reading the book I can say I still do. She has a whip smart internal compass that has guided her through decades of style and dozens of interesting experiments, projects, Motherhood and expressions beyond Sonic Youth.

Not your typical rock girl memoir, as Kim Gordon shows a lot of class in her interest in art and her desire to raise her daughter with some sense of normalcy. Too bad Thurston Moore turned out to be a douche bag.

Interesting insight into the times when Sonic Youth were starting and "the scene" in which they incubated.
I know Gordon is an intelligent woman but I found the book to be awash in self pity.
If she finds any joy in her art it would be nice to share that too.

A little long to read, but a must if you are a fan of Sonic Youth.

An excellent read. Gordon is intelligent and honest. She gives an engaging sketch of the underground music scene during the 1980s and 1990s. Also, an interesting account of her life as a visual artist and musician.

So good!