The Undisputed Top 20 Rock Novels of All Time, 2017

2017 was one of the worst years for new rock novels in recent memory. I found only one new title to read this past year--published in 2013--and luckily it merits Top 20 consideration or I would have no changes to my list.

The new title is The King of Good Intentions by John Andrew Fredrick, and I slot it in at #19. A review is forthcoming.

Fredrick has also published a sequel, The King of Good Intentions II, which I will take a look at soon. Here's hoping it's an early addition to 2018's list.

Until then, keep me posted on any new rock novels you might come across. There is no central place to find out about these titles, so I'm counting on you to fill me in when merited.

I've already got time set aside for This is a Memorial Device by David Keenan, which comes out in America in 2018. Let's hope for even more rock fiction next year.

20 The Last Rock Star Book, Or: Liz Phair, a Rant by Camden Joy


19 The King of Good Intentions by John Andrew Fredrick


18 Big in Japan by M. Thomas Gammarino


17 You Don’t Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem


16 A and R by Bill Flanagan


15 Saguaro: The Life and Adventures of Bobby Allen Bird by Carson Mell


14 Wise Young Fool by Sean Beaudoin


13 A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan


12 Wonderland by Stacey D'Erasmo 


11 Great Jones Street by Don DeLillo


10 Vexation Lullaby by Justin Tussing


9 How the Mistakes Were Made by Tyler McMahon


8 Losing in Gainesville by Brian Costello 


7 The Blue Bourbon Orchestra by Carson Mell


6 The Wishbones by Tom Perrotta


5 Never Mind the Pollacks by Neal Pollack


4 Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta


3 High Fidelity by Nick Hornby 


2 The Commitments by Roddy Doyle


1 Banned for Life by D. R. Haney


Yours in laying down the law,

Art

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The Undisputed Top 20 Rock Novels of All Time - 2016

It is my pleasure once again to bring you the top 20 rock novels of all time, 2016 style!

Our esteemed panel of judges found it fit to add one title to the illustrious Top 20 this year, Vexation Lullaby by Justin Tussing, which clocks in at Number 10. Read my review of Vexation Lullaby here.

For his efforts, Justin will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden, where he will take Bob Dylan's place in the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10th. He will also get Bob Dylan's check from the Nobel Academy, and half Dylan's song publishing royalties in perpetuity. It's the least we can do.

Check it!

20 The Cost of Living by Rob Roberge


19 The Last Rock Star Book, Or: Liz Phair, a Rant by Camden Joy


18 Big in Japan by M. Thomas Gammarino 


17 You Don’t Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem


16 A and R by Bill Flanagan


15 Saguaro: The Life and Adventures of Bobby Allen Bird by Carson Mell


14 Wise Young Fool by Sean Beaudoin


13 A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan


12 Wonderland by Stacey D'Erasmo 


11 Great Jones Street by Don DeLillo


10 Vexation Lullaby by Justin Tussing


9 How the Mistakes Were Made by Tyler McMahon


8 Losing in Gainesville by Brian Costello 


7 The Blue Bourbon Orchestra by Carson Mell


6 The Wishbones by Tom Perrotta


5 Never Mind the Pollacks by Neal Pollack


4 Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta


3 High Fidelity by Nick Hornby 


2 The Commitments by Roddy Doyle


1 Banned for Life by D. R. Haney


Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Watch the Book Trailer for Badge.

Buy Badge.

Undisputed Top 20 Rock Novels of All Time - 2015

Two new entries made my list this year, including one in the top ten. The new entries are by Brian Costello (#8) and M. Thomas Gammarino (#17). You can read my review of Losing in Gainesville here, and my review of Big in Japan is forthcoming.

Enjoy the ride.

20 The Sound of Songs Across the Water by Rob Yardumian


19 The Cost of Living by Rob Roberge


18 The Last Rock Star Book, Or: Liz Phair, a Rant by Camden Joy


17 Big in Japan by M. Thomas Gammarino 


16 You Don’t Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem

  
15 A and R by Bill Flanagan


14 Saguaro: The Life and Adventures of Bobby Allen Bird by Carson Mell


13 Wise Young Fool by Sean Beaudoin


12 A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan


11 Wonderland by Stacey D'Erasmo 


10 Great Jones Street by Don DeLillo


9 How the Mistakes Were Made by Tyler McMahon


8 Losing in Gainesville by Brian Costello


7 The Blue Bourbon Orchestra by Carson Mell


6 The Wishbones by Tom Perrotta


5 Never Mind the Pollacks by Neal Pollack


4 Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta


3 High Fidelity by Nick Hornby 


2 The Commitments by Roddy Doyle


1 Banned for Life by D. R. Haney


Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Watch the Book Trailer for Badge.

Buy Badge.

Top 20 Rock Novels of All Time - 2014

The new novels added this year are by Stacey D'Erasmo and Rob Yardumian. I also reread Great Jones Street after a couple of people claimed it deserved a higher slot, but I can't agree. GJS is a great novel that for me lacks some heart.

Anyway, take a gander.

20 Twisted Kicks by Tom Carson


19 Boarded Windows by Dylan Hicks


18 The Sound of Songs Across the Water by Rob Yardumian


17 The Cost of Living by Rob Roberge


16 The Last Rock Star Book, Or: Liz Phair, a Rant by Camden Joy


15 You Don’t Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem

  
14 A and R by Bill Flanagan


13 Saguaro: The Life and Adventures of Bobby Allen Bird by Carson Mell


12 Wise Young Fool by Sean Beaudoin


11 A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan


10 Wonderland by Stacey D'Erasmo 


9 Great Jones Street by Don DeLillo


8 How the Mistakes Were Made by Tyler McMahon


7 The Blue Bourbon Orchestra by Carson Mell


6 The Wishbones by Tom Perrotta


5 Never Mind the Pollacks by Neal Pollack


4 Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta


3 High Fidelity by Nick Hornby 


2 The Commitments by Roddy Doyle


1 Banned for Life by D. R. Haney

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Watch the Book Trailer for Badge.



Buy Badge.