Beige by Cecil Castellucci

Synopsis:

Exiled from Canada to Los Angeles, Katy can't believe she is spending the summer with her father—punk name: the Rat—a recovered addict and drummer for the band Suck. Even though Katy feels abandoned by her mom, even though the Rat's place is a mess and he's not like anything she'd call a father, Kathy won't make a fuss. After all, she is a girl who is quiet and polite, a girl who smiles, a girl who is, well, beige. Or is she? From the author of BOY PROOF and THE QUEEN OF COOL comes an edgy L.A. novel full of humor, heart, and music.

I thought this book was a great, fast read. At first, though, I was a little annoyed with Katy. All she did was bitch and complain about her lot in life. She grew on me though, and I started to feel just as put out and angry with her parents as she was.

Her father, The Rat, has never been around. Sending postcards and gifts from afar throughout her life, and now she's supposed to adjust to his life? I did feel for Katy and I found myself cheering for her to come out of her shell.

The supporting cast is amazing, especially her new found friends Lake and Garth, and her Dad's girlfriend Trixie. Lake's tough and abrasive exterior is just a show to hide the fact that she's as lost as Katy on the inside. And Trixie is just the coolest. None of my stepmothers were ever as cool as Trixie. She's completely free, outgoing, and accepts Katy for who she is.

I've always been a music fan, so I loved reading about the LA punk scene. It's the kind of life you dream of until you live in it. It's not all glamour and riches, but it sure sounds like a lot of fun. I also loved the chapter headings which are all classic punk songs, some of which (Cherry Bomb by The Runaways and Sheena is a Punk Rocker by The Ramones) are my favorites. I always love a Runaways shout-out.

I've never read any of Castellucci's other books, but I plan to. Have any of you read them? What do you think? Overall, I really enjoyed this read. I can't wait to read more of Castellucci's work. And I'd love to read more about the LA punk scene.