Dee Snider’s Teenage Survival Guide
Snider
1987
It’s confession time, ALB fans. I, Holly Hibner, am a closet metal head. Actually, not so closet. I have been to several heavy metal concerts and been known to “bang my head” while driving. Are you shocked? Just doing my part to break the librarian stereotype…
Ok, now that true confession time is over, let’s talk about this book. Dee Snider was the lead singer of Twisted Sister in the ’80s. This was a cool book in my day! It’s still a good book message-wise, but if you gave this book to a teenager today they would probably laugh hysterically and ask who the clown on the cover is. It’s definitely time for an upgrade!
P.S. I will say that I love the radio show “House of Hair” on Sunday mornings, hosted by none other than…that’s right…DEE SNIDER! Awesome!
18 responses so far ↓
Justin // June 20, 2009 at 1:38 pm |
This book went from hip to obsolete to probably being cool again to the hipster kids who would view it as “ironic” and use it to make xeroxed gig posters.
Justin // June 20, 2009 at 1:44 pm |
uhm… http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0385238991/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
can I have that book?
Steph // June 20, 2009 at 1:51 pm |
Dee Snider was a teen when? 50 years ago? How old is he?
marykelly48 // June 20, 2009 at 2:36 pm |
If you want a really scary experience, look at Holly’s playlist on her ipod… very, shall we say, different!
Second true confession: I thought Dee Snider was a kid on Facts of Life. I will now crawl back in my cave
Mary
Steph // June 20, 2009 at 4:18 pm |
You need to employ Justin as part of that new crew of Friends of the Library….this would buy a lot of koolaid and cookies for after school programs.
Justin VK // June 20, 2009 at 6:24 pm |
Rock on, metal-head librarians! This is hilarious.
As a fellow metal head (though death and black metal are more my speed…not Twisted Sister), I am right here with you getting an extra-evil laugh out of this one. Hard to believe it ever *made* it into your library, let alone stayed there for decades. Ouch.
Oh, and thank you for proving that being a bookworm and a headbanger are not mutually exclusive.
gothougeekly // June 21, 2009 at 10:47 am |
Forget Justin. That book would fund a library class, textbooks and fees for me. Give it to me!
Hill // June 21, 2009 at 3:26 pm |
A really awesome teen survival guide is Kate Bornstein’s Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws….
DN // June 22, 2009 at 1:17 pm |
We’re not gonna take it,
No! We ain’t gonna take it!
We’re not gonna take it
Anymore…
William Smith // June 23, 2009 at 10:56 am |
Those Amazon prizes are from stupid auto-listing programs that pick sky high prices for books where only a few copies are offered. The Dee Snider is a solid $30-40 dollar book though and I would bang my head if I found it at a thrift shop.
JB // June 23, 2009 at 5:00 pm |
The Amazon prices are too high. AbeBooks lists it from $35 to $75, http://tinyurl.com/nbxgf5.
Maybe this one should be offered for sale (or donated) instead of weeded and pulped…
Tessa // June 25, 2009 at 4:59 pm |
According to Dee (in the interview linked below), this book is mandatory reading in Russian schools: http://therumpus.net/2009/06/the-rumpus-readers-interview-dee-snider/
Arnoldo // July 1, 2009 at 1:40 pm |
Still increadible relevant, lost souls abound
Alli // July 13, 2009 at 6:52 pm |
Oh my. I wandered by the website via Neatorama, and came across this post. My FIRST club band concert was by Twisted Sister (yes, I’m dating myself) and for years I was a SMFFOTS (erm, can’t spell it out due to foul language constrants). I actually saw them about 5-6 yrs ago when they tried to regroup and even wore my ancient band t-shirt. I would have LOVED this book (and frankly, would still be thrilled to own it)! Thanx for sharing – this one put a real smile on my face
aly // July 20, 2009 at 4:36 pm |
However kept this on the shelf may feel vindicated. Dee Snider is de rigueur once again, doncha know?
Mushroom // July 22, 2009 at 2:35 pm |
Advice from Dee Snider, according to Twisted Sister videos:
When an adult calls you “worthless and weak”, and demands to know what you intend to do with your life, you as a solidly-based teen should reply: I wanna rock! then strike a power cord with the amp up to 11.
Especially useful if your father or teacher resembles a character from ‘Animal House’.
christina // August 6, 2009 at 10:36 pm |
Oh gasp! I read this in 7th grade! Sadly, the only thing I remember is this anecdote about trying to impress his date by spitting and ended up spitting on her. I remember gagging through that chapter. I still have a rational fear of spitters.
sd // August 21, 2009 at 2:50 pm |
im a 45 yr old english guy.i got to see the twisted ones when they came to england befor the release of thier 1st album.i was also a member of the smf..house of hair,..awesome.anyone know of any other stations worth streamin..as for hte book…ill check it out