From the Bookshelf of For the Freaks…

Loose Gravel

Ginny Fanthome

Why we're reading this: It's a crazy punk rock road story about a punk band on their first tour.…more
[close] It's a crazy punk rock road story about a punk band on their first tour.

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What Members Thought

Oct 19, 2020 Ginny Fanthome rated it it was amazing

Reviews that have come in from other sources:
(to buy a copy on Shopify, Google ginnyfbooks)
Andy Bova:
"So much good in this. The pacing and plot was great - no lags in the action, and I always wanted to find out what was going to happen next. Lots of hilarious moments, but the jokes were always well balanced with the more dramatic, and sometimes horrifying, moments. Not a one-dimensional book at all. The evocation of locations was great, too. I knew exactly what each bar looked, sounded and smell Reviews that have come in from other sources:
(to buy a copy on Shopify, Google ginnyfbooks)
Andy Bova:
"So much good in this. The pacing and plot was great - no lags in the action, and I always wanted to find out what was going to happen next. Lots of hilarious moments, but the jokes were always well balanced with the more dramatic, and sometimes horrifying, moments. Not a one-dimensional book at all. The evocation of locations was great, too. I knew exactly what each bar looked, sounded and smelled like. I think I might have actually slept in that van last night! But where Loose Gravel really shines is in the characters, and their development. None of the characters were static, or caricatures - they were all multi-faceted, and changed and revealed more of themselves as the story progressed. I was sad to say goodbye to the gang when I was finished. Loose Gravel is really well done."

Chuck Welch:
"Loose Gravel is so much more than just a novel about a punk band on tour. The author excellently manages to address so many relevant and current issues ranging from the daily struggles of a gay male, to abuse throughout the novel. The character development was ongoing and extremely well done. Although I’ve never had the opportunity to experience the beautiful chaos that Loose Gravel exhibits, I felt as though I had. I found myself being excited to read for the first time in a while! Superb job!"

Tony Spivey:
"The absolute best compliment I can give is that a novel not only held my attention, but captivated me! I've always been a non-fiction reader. Loose Gravel is amazing! I connected to all the characters, and quickly. I KNEW these people! Some reminded me of very specific people in my past, a couple were a combination of a few of the real-life characters I've known. With the author's descriptive style, I could identify with the clubs, the fans and hangers-on, even the smells...oh lord, the smells. I don't know if a novel has ever produced such a sensory experience for me. I was in the van with the band, I was at those gigs, I was there! Fantastic read, and I can't wait for the next one!"

Sean Lourim:
"Helluva good read. What I find that the author does incredibly well is develop the characters fairly well within the first 25-30 pages, but then the reader is given bits and pieces of extra information as the story goes along, in a nice steady build-up, which gradually changes the reader's view about the characters. It was a very nice progression all the way to the end (and had an ending that I didn't expect). It was all so well laid out. So well done. And all of the alley scenes were bang on and reminded me of the time I helped my cousin roadie for a band. This one is a real page turner."

Paul Spiar:
"The book is an up close and personal and insightful account of a world that I knew nothing about but found fascinating. An easy read. I went through it in just three days."

Ruth Powell:
"I have to say that I enjoyed the adventures, and it took me to places that I have never been in my life. I have not gone to a punk concert before, nor have I toured with any band! Each night, I always looked forward to reading a couple of chapters before bed and wondered which adventure I would be a part of next. I am glad Lion "manned" up in the end. Well done!"

Crystal Smith:
"Loose Gravel follows a punk band on a tour that challenges them as a band and as individuals forced to reckon with their past and current personal struggles. The characters grab you right from the start; you immediately want to know more about each one. The structure and pacing ensure that you stay hooked, as each stop on the tour reveals a little more about each of the band members. You keep turning the pages to find out what will happen next, squirming at some of the locales the band finds itself in and laughing at some of the characters they meet on the road, but rooting for each of the band members to find happiness, however they define it. Being very dialogue-driven with short, crisp scenes at each stop on the tour, Loose Gravel would make a great film."

Al Wigney:
"I genuinely enjoyed spending 400 pages with Sam, Steve, Lion, Markus, Mikey and all the other players in this excellent tale of life on the road. Early on, I was particularly drawn in by all the many references to obscure bands and musicians that many music geeks like myself would get. But, if I may, the part that really reached me was the exchange between Steve and Sam that followed his confrontation with his dad. That was a dandy bit of writing and captured the emotions of the moment particularly well. Also, perhaps it's having read too many pat storylines, but I was fully prepared for the book to end a certain sort of formulaic way, but it didn't. Worth every penny. I look forward to the author's next novel." ...more

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May 05, 2025 Benji Ordille marked it as to-read

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