Book · 2006 · Women poets
Just Kids
- mentions
- 7
- people
- 4
- podcasts
- 4
- episodes
- 5
- recommendations
- 3
But just kids, the beauty of it, the reason I think it worked for so many people, won the National Book Award that year is it it's one of those rare books that makes you feel what a moment must have been like.
Ezra Klein · The Ezra Klein Show · Nov 2025 Listen at 1:37 What they say about it
- Reads repeatedly2
The best things said about it
I've read Just Kids. It's uh one of those books I've read repeatedly and and I know a lot of people for whom that's true.
Ezra Klein The Ezra Klein Show · Nov 2025 The best audio book ever recorded is Just Kids by Patti Smith.
Seth Godin Conversations with Tyler · May 2023 Where and when it comes up
Most mentions, by podcast
4 people who brought it up
Why people recommend it
Just Kids by Patti Smith is a celebrated memoir chronicling the author's profound artistic relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe during their youth in New York City and the Chelsea Hotel. On The Ezra Klein Show, Ezra Klein stated that he first picked up the book in 2010 when it was widely read, loved it immensely, and has since returned to read it repeatedly. Klein praised Just Kids for winning the National Book Award and remarked that it is one of those rare, resonant works that successfully evokes the distinct feeling of a specific historical moment for its readers. On Conversations with Tyler, Seth Godin also recommended the work, specifically highlighting the audiobook as the best ever recorded and a remarkable testament to an artistic journey. Beyond its direct recommendations, the memoir generated significant discussion elsewhere. On Stuff You Should Know, Chuck Bryant noted that the book sat on his shelf among other rock and roll titles awaiting his time, while using the opportunity to share stories about Patti Smith. Additionally, on The Book Review, Gilbert Cruz brought up the memoir as a high-profile title that notably missed a major list of best memoirs since 1969, an omission that had already prompted complaints from readers and observers on social media.
Every mention
Ezra Klein But just kids, the beauty of it, the reason I think it worked for so many people, won the National Book Awa… 3
“So, back in 2010, I picked up this book that everyone seemed to be reading that year, Just Kids by Patty Smith.”
“But just kids, the beauty of it, the reason I think it worked for so many people, won the National Book Award that year is it it's one of those rare books that makes you feel what a moment must have been like.”
“I've read Just Kids. It's uh one of those books I've read repeatedly and and I know a lot of people for whom that's true.”
Seth Godin The best audio book ever recorded is Just Kids by Patti Smith. 1
“The best audio book ever recorded is Just Kids by Patti Smith.”
Gilbert Cruz and maybe in particular Patty Smith just kids which some people on social media have already griped about 2
“and maybe in particular Patty Smith just kids which some people on social media have already griped about”
“and maybe in particular Patty Smith's just kids which some people on social media have already griped about”
Chuck Bryant I have that book I haven't read it yet it's on the the Shelf with a bunch of other rock and roll books that… 1
“I have that book I haven't read it yet it's on the the Shelf with a bunch of other rock and roll books that I have yet to get to but boy can I tell a quick Patty Smith Bob Dylan story... Patty Smith's book that she wrote about her time with Maple Thorp I think it's called Just Kids”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (7: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Life, which was a Keith Richards memoir, and Just Kids by Patti Smith.”
“Patty Smith has her second Memoir coming out U follow up to her bestseller just kids in September”
“And love reading Just Kids, Patti Smith, being a part of that scene.”
“and then Patty Smith's two Memoirs just kids and M”
“I think she talks about him a lot in her recent Memoir Avenue M after my story ran yesterday I heard a great anecdote”
“her first one just kids of course won the national book award a few years ago”
“maybe Patty Smith got the ball rolling back with just kids which won the national book award in 2010”