From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

Punk 57

Penelope Douglas

Start date: October 21, 2019

Finish date: October 25, 2019

Discussion: Buddy Reads

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 63 topics — 2,542 comments total

Buddy Reads

* September 2025 Buddy Reads
By Diana · 13 posts · 21 views

last updated Sep 04, 2025 07:25AM

* Suggest a book for a Buddy Read in October 2025
By Diana · 11 posts · 9 views

last updated Sep 22, 2025 11:02AM

showing 10 of 10 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jan 25, 2019 Julie rated it really liked it

An unconventional friendship can have the ability to alter your life in the most unexpected of ways. For Misha and Ryen – their friendship began with a letter to each other as pen pals in elementary school. Those words upon paper would forever provide the other with a strength that would lead them through even the darkest of days. Neither gave in to the temptation of meeting for fear that it would forever change the way they looked at one another.

That change was closer at hand than either could An unconventional friendship can have the ability to alter your life in the most unexpected of ways. For Misha and Ryen – their friendship began with a letter to each other as pen pals in elementary school. Those words upon paper would forever provide the other with a strength that would lead them through even the darkest of days. Neither gave in to the temptation of meeting for fear that it would forever change the way they looked at one another.

That change was closer at hand than either could imagine. With such unusual names and the reality of living in neighboring towns, their paths were bound to cross. While out promoting his band, Misha meets Ryen at an event. Although he never gives her his name, Ryen often thought about the guy that took a few selfies with Ryen that night. For Misha – meeting Ryen would alter his perception on life in the most unexpected of ways.

With the changes that come about from that fateful night, Misha finds his quest leading him to cross paths with Ryen again. Unbeknownst to Ryen – everything that consists of her daily life was about to change in ways that she could never imagine. Through it all, Ryen still sends her letters to the pen pal that has been there throughout the years.

First let me confess – Punk 57 has been on my ‘to read’ list for quite a while. Why haven’t I taken the dive before now? I am not sure, but I was definitely reflecting on how I let this one slip through the cracks on me!! The plot of this story is definitely one that is unique in nature. A tale of two pen pals that find their paths in life crossing in an unexpected way. Well….it’s definitely more captivating than implied, but I can’t give you everything!!

Everything about the journey that Misha and Ryen are embarking upon kept me glued to the screen. The ups and downs in both of their lives left me wondering how the saga would unfold. There were times where my brain was constantly trying to figure out the ‘end result’. Then the ‘secret’ that was left towards the very end of the book happened. Hmmm…..I have to admit I didn’t see that one coming!! It’s amazing how life leads you to where you need to be at just the right time. This book will bring you towards the path that Misha and Ryen must travel to find their place in the world.

Punk 57 is definitely a book you should experience reading. Prepare yourself for the heartache, bullying, betrayal, mistakes and loyalties that will guide Misha and Ryen to their future. Will it be the journey either intended to discover? Find out for yourself when you unravel the secrets that exist between the covers of Punk 57!!
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 17, 2016 Julie rated it really liked it

To be honest, I'm trying to shy away from books set in high school 'cause they usually don't appeal to me anymore. Sometimes, I find the characters unrelatable (who are mostly just sex-crazed teenagers), their problems are too petty, and the plot (which is usually about a nerdy girl and a bad boy who hate each other's guts at first but fall in love in the end) has lost its originality.

But I have to say, Punk 57 was an exception. I'm just so glad I gave this book a try (even if my inner 26-year To be honest, I'm trying to shy away from books set in high school 'cause they usually don't appeal to me anymore. Sometimes, I find the characters unrelatable (who are mostly just sex-crazed teenagers), their problems are too petty, and the plot (which is usually about a nerdy girl and a bad boy who hate each other's guts at first but fall in love in the end) has lost its originality.

But I have to say, Punk 57 was an exception. I'm just so glad I gave this book a try (even if my inner 26-year old self is telling me not to).

The female lead (Ryen) is not your typical, likeable heroine. She is a liar, a poser, a coward, and a bully. While it may have been hard to like her, I think her character is what makes this book different and a lot more in touch with reality. Not that everyone would admit to this, but I'm pretty certain that at one point in our lives, we have been insecure and alone, and felt the need to be accepted. So, I couldn't really blame Ryen for wearing a social mask in an attempt to fit in, all the while believing that people will only accept her if she chose to act in a particular way.

I've read Bully, which was another work of Penelope Douglas, and it was...okay (not something that makes me want to read her other books), so naturally, I didn't have high expectations when I started this one. But I was really surprised to find myself hooked from the first few pages.

I think it was mainly because of the hand-written letters that Ryen and Misha (the male lead) were sending to each other for seven years. In this day and age, there's something very special about hand-written letters - you pick up a pen and paper, write your thoughts for another person by hand, purchase a stamp, physically drop your letter to a mailbox and wait for days until the other person receives it. They're timeless, personal, and tangible, in every sense of the word.

I also love the spray-painted messages in the school walls, and the lyrics (I wish someone can turn the lyrics into a song, so I can actually listen to it for real).

The only issue I have is that I don't really like it when any of the main characters is lying in the story, 'cause it tends to get too dramatic whenever the other person finds out about the lie (and let's just say...there's a lot of lies and secrets in this book). At least there was no cheating, so the lying didn't interfere so much with my love for the book.

That concern aside, this book is a hit for me, with its beautiful writing style and a powerful message that permeates through the story. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 20, 2021 Talita Gouveia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: teen

Eu não gosto muito de ler sobre adolescentes, porque já passei dessa idade faz um tempinho. Mas é tão gratificante. É mais fácil justificar os erros de alguém de 17 anos do que de um "adulto".
Os erros neste livros são justificáveis.
A Reyn é uma garota perdida, e que como tantas as outras garotas, quer ser aceita. O Misha... ah o Misha é o menino perfeito que todas gostariam de ter conhecido nesta idade. Perfeitamente imperfeito.

Faltou um pouco mais de contexto da vida pessoal dos dois, mas nad ...more

Like · see review

Apr 17, 2018 Milena rated it really liked it

Couldn’t put it down!

This was my first book by Penelope and it won’t be the last. I picked it up after seeing it recommended in a group and people were raving about it. It definitely lived up to the hype and I will be reading more by this author.

1 like · Like · see review