This book is full of music that both inspires the characters and tells the stories of their lives. Click around to listen to the music, watch music videos, and see which characters were influenced by which artists and songs.

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Story of My Life: Ballads

Some of the songs that each ballad references can be heard on the playlist on the right. But, you can check out the videos for each song that is discussed in the novel.

This line opens the book:
"If you made a book of what really happened, it'd be a really upsetting book."
~Angela Chase (played by Claire Danes) on My So-Called Life (You can go watch it!)

Angela is not a musician, but she was the voice of many teens during the early 1990s series, My So-Called Life. This quote sets a tone for the entire show and is wildly appropriate for the book.

Songs by Ballad
Kara: "Tonight, Tonight" by the Smashing Pumpkins
Stacey: "Had a Dad" by Jane's Addiction
Cass: "Girl" by Tori Amos
Adrian: "Bastards of Young" by The Replacements
Christian: "Breaking the Girl" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Liam: "What is Truth" by Johnny Cash
Maya: "Asking for It" by Hole

Soundtrack (from Stephanie's site)

Stephanie was heavily influenced by the music as she wrote. She compiled a great playlist for you to listen to. CLICK HERE FOR THE PLAYLIST AND LISTEN TO IT!

The list includes:
Social Distortion
Johnny Cash
PJ Harvey
Tori Amos
The Replacements
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Offspring
Rise Against
Hole
Guns n Roses
and much more awesomeness...

I also love these songs that were mentioned...
Liam and I love Johnny Cash. This one is my favorite ballad:
"Folsom Prison Blues"
And of course,"Story of My Life" by Social Distortion

Kara and Liam liked to watch this video together:
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana (one of my favorite videos too)