The Sunset Strip Diaries
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The Sunset Strip Diaries by Amy Asbury
There comes a time in every girl's life, where she has to choose good or choose bad. Amy Asbury chose bad, hands down. Good meant wallflowers, secretaries and subservient wives. Bad meant power- and a possible escape from a life of secrets. At twelve years old she was trying to make sense of a drug-addicted father and his disturbing behavior. By fifteen she was dealing with horrendous depression, blackouts and rape. At sixteen she was in a mental institution for suicidal tendencies and violent behavior. She knew she could never be normal. The only place for a girl like her was Hollywood. This is a true story of the social ascent (and eventual decline) of a girl in the Sunset Strip music scene of the early 1990's. From crazy parties to glittered junkies and man-eating strippers, Amy has chronicled what life was like back in the days of excess and debauchery. It is not just a fascinating look into an amusing time in pop culture, but also details the mindset of a young woman trying to find confidence and self-worth in a life full of pain and chaos. The party came screeching to a halt when the Grunge movement took over and heroin became more prominent. How far off track can a person go before it's too late?
Asbury, Amy: - Amy Asbury is the author of five books: Once Upon The Eighties, The Sunset Strip Diaries, Confetti Covered Quicksand, Valley Girl and Fuzzie Wuzzie. She is influenced by Truman Capote, J.D. Salinger, Mary McCarthy, and Judy Blume. She also draws inspiration from film (Martin Scorsese, Sophia Coppola, and P.T. Anderson are favorites), creative design, interesting photography, and beautiful animation. Amy is a collector of vintage books, retro toys, and eighties candy packages. She loves bookstores, libraries, old-time ice cream parlors and antique shops, and is most at home in the classic Hollywood restaurants or the beaches of her hometown in Los Angeles. She is married to an awesome New-Yorker and has one bookish son. Favorite Quotes: 'The most important thing is to be whoever you are without shame', and 'Keep true to the dreams of thy youth'. I need to give those proper credit but I cannot remember who originated them. Loves: Sunshine, masses of flowers, pastel colors, stacks of books, the 'Annie' soundtrack, The Beach Boys, Mad Men, Fast Company Magazine, vintage book covers, and office supplies. Loathes: Loud, high-pitched noises. I go insane. I also dislike the color orange unless it is October or November. I don't think there is an orange item in my entire house! I am not a fan of the new computer-animated kid movies. They are just too much. Over-stimulating, over-produced, and too slick. They have these generic hit songs and the big names attached...they just don't feel authentic. They just feel like big marketing machines. Comfort Food: Tater tots, lots of salt. And my very favorite thing to eat is pomegranates. Cold pomegranate seeds in a big silver bowl with a spoon! What is something we might not know about you? I love to take care of people and make things homey and comfy for my family. I try to make holidays absolutely magical. I live in a self-created bubble. My house is like Disneyland every day; I try not to let anything ugly into my home life, because there is so much else out there in the world. I have happy music, or fresh flowers, or a fire in the fireplace. It is always inviting and colorful. People want to know why the Sunset Strip Diaries ended on a cliffhanger. Why did you do that? Well, my manuscript was way too long. I actually had to split the story into two books (the second book is the continuation-Confetti Covered Quicksand.) Some people thought it was very gimmicky to do that to the readers and then to try and sell the second one. But the way it ends, is basically saying, If you want to keep going and read more about what happened to me, you can. But if you want to leave it here, that is okay too. There are reviewers who love the books and others who think they sound like a teenager's diary. How do you feel about that? Well, to those people, I will say this: It IS a teenager's diary! The Sunset Strip Diaries is literally my diaries from when I was sixteen, seventeen. So if you don't want to hear the thoughts of a misguided teenager hanging out in Hollywood, then definitely do not read the book. Because that is precisely what it is. And Confetti Covered Quicksand? My diaries from my twenties. I was a total moron! I agree with the trolls. I was in no way likeable. Most people really love your honesty. As a matter of fact, that might be the biggest thing about your writing. Well, yes, I was very honest in those books and it is embarrassing. I can't even read them now!
SKU | GOR007163435 |
ISBN 13 | 9780615439877 |
ISBN 10 | 061543987X |
Title | The Sunset Strip Diaries |
Author | Amy Asbury |
Condition | very good |
Binding type | Paperback |
Publisher | Estep And Fitzgerald Literary Publishing |
Year published | 2011-01-25 |
Number of pages | 348 |
Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
Note | This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us |