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Radio Free Texas

by Libba Bray

Finding a voice in 1980s Texas

Regular price $18.94 USD
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AlbakiReads Editorial

Finding a voice in 1980s Texas

Set in a small Texas town during the 1980s, the story brings together high-school uncertainty, a budding crush, and an unexpected introduction to local radio. Bowie’s decision to take the blame for Comet’s firecracker stunt leads to community service at a station run by Marlon, an antiestablishment loner. That setup ties Bowie’s search for direction to questions of self-expression, connection, and the ways growing up can involve other people. Rock ’n’ roll and romance are part of the book’s coming-of-age frame.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teens and young adults interested in high-school coming-of-age stories
  • Readers drawn to stories combining first love, rock ’n’ roll, and radio
  • Those interested in 1980s Texas settings

Themes

Coming of ageSelf-expressionFirst loveConnection and communityMusic and radio

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

From beloved bestselling author Libba Bray, a story of love, rock n' roll, and sex (in that order) in 1980s Texas.

 

Bowie is a little bit lost in his small Texas town. As he starts his senior year, the only thing he's pretty sure of is that he has a crush on Comet Jensen, a girl who's such a firecracker that she actually sets off a firecracker on the first day of school.

 

Since Comet is one wrong move away from getting expelled, Bowie steps in and takes the blame for the stunt. His punishment? Community service at a local radio station run by an anti-social, antiestablishment anti-hero named Marlon. Suddenly, Bowie finds he not only has something to do, but he also has something to say. And, possibly, a future with Comet.

 

In the tradition of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Eleanor & Park, and any other book or movie that's nailed what it's like to be lost and then found when you're in high school, this is a funny, touching story about how growing up, like love, is never a solo project.

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