I had difficulty writing this one, because I had trouble deciding on what to say about this wonderful book. I don’t read many autobiographies, but I love the new wave and punk rock band Blondie, and Debbie Harry is an important, bold figure to me, even before I read this book. She is successful by her hard work and perseverance, and the way she carries herself has encouraged me for as long as I’ve known who she was. Debbie also may or may not have inspired me to dye my hair bleach blonde last year.

Her autobiography, Face It, gives an intimate look into the life of New York punk, Debbie Harry, from her childhood to her more recent musings and music releases. Often all over the place, her storytelling about people in the music industry and celebrities takes the reader to a past life before 9/11 in New York City. Debbie talks about her independence, her willingness to grow and experiment musically, and the importance of creative relationships. The reader also learns a lot of personal details about her life, for example I had no idea she enjoyed having her picture taken, and that she loves the fan art that people send her.

What I found most surprising was learning more about her intimate partnership with Chris Stein, the guitarist and co-founder of Blondie. I didn’t expect to learn so much about him, but in hindsight, it’s understandable since he was important to Blondie. The next surprising thing I learned was about her experience with abuse, and her trauma relating to abandonment. She recalls these stories in a light, comedic way, but the lessons she learned are hard and true.

Before I give away too much, this book is definitely worth the read if you want to read about inspiring women and punk rockers, or if you love Debbie Harry as much as I do.

I give this book a 3.5 out of 5!

_Elizabeth