Author Spotlight: Patti Smith

Patti Smith.....where do I begin? 

I stumbled upon a copy of Just Kids last year in a Goodwill. I had seen reviews for it on BookTube and decided to give it a go. I absolutely loved it! It is a piece that has stayed with me since I finished it and I think of it almost daily. The memoir documents Patti's relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. He was a photographer and Patti and he were inseparable. The way they were together was very familiar of my own relationship with the love of my life. I think that's why I love it so much. 

It chronicles their lives living together in the Hotel Chelsea, her friendship with the Beat Writers...etc. All the way up to the death of Robert to AIDS, and .how she felt afterward. I ADORED this book and will definitely be re-reading it soon. 

I just recently read M Train by Patti Smith. This book follows Patti after the death of her husband, Fred. It documents her travels and photography and living in New Jersey during and after Hurricane Sandy. Her writing is so poetic and rich. I couldn't put it down.

I recently acquired two poetry collections of Patti Smith's as well. 

Auguries of Innocence and The Coral Sea 

Auguries of Innocence is the one I am currently reading. I love her writing so much, but I'm finding it hard to understand the themes in each poem. I understand that my interpretation is just that. An interpretation., but, sometimes it feels like random words on a page, which may be exactly what she was going for. I don't know. I still feel connected to her poetry, and will continue to read anything she writes.

The Coral Sea is about Robert Mapplethorpe. I am including the quote about this book from Goodreads because it explains this story much better than I ever could.

"Through the linked pieces of The Coral Sea, Patti Smith honors her comrade-in-arms Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989). She tells the story of a man on an ocean journey to see the Southern Cross, who is reflecting on his life and fighting the illness that is consuming him. Metaphoric and dreamy, this tale of transformation arises from Smith's knowledge of Mapplethorpe from a young man to a mature artist; his close relationship with patron and friend, Sam Wagstaff; his years surviving AIDS; and his ascent into death."

I am absolutely OBSESSED with her writing and I would read her grocery lists!! I am making it a mission to read everything of hers that I can get my hands on.