Die Young with Me: A Memoir

(Paperback)

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In the tradition of John Greens The Fault in Our Stars and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, this incredibly moving and harrowing true story of a teenager diagnosed with cancer is a resounding affirmation of how music can lift ones spirits beyond gray skies and bad news (Kirkus Reviews).

Punks not dead in rural West Virginia. In fact, it blares constantly from the basement of Rob and Nat Rufusidentical twin brothers with spiked hair, black leather jackets, and the most kick-ass record collection in Appalachia. To them, school (and pretty much everything else) sucks. But what can you expect when youre the only punks in town

When the brothers start their own band, their lives begin to change: they meet friends, they attract girls, and they finally get invited to join a national tour and get out of their rat box little town.

But their plans are cut short when Rob is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that has already progressed to Stage Four. Not only are his dreams of punk rock stardom completely shredded, there is a very real threat that this is one battle that cant be won.

While Rob suffers through nightmarish treatments and debilitating surgery, Nat continues on their bands road to success alone. But as Robs life diverges from his brothers, he learns to find strength within himself and through his music. Die Young with Me is a raw, honest picture of the weirdness of growing up (Marky Ramone) and the story of a brave teens battle with cancer and the many ways music helped him cope through his recovery.

Author Bio

Rob Rufus is a musician and writer living in Nashville. His band, Blacklist Royals, has released two full-length albums and played in sixteen countries over the past five years. His new project, The Bad Signs, released their first single in 2015. He is the author of Die Young with Me.