Small Press National Literary Bestseller
Peaked at #151 on Amazon.com Bestselling General Fiction list
Amazon.com Bestselling List for over four years
From the Author:
My first novel, and my most successful to date. I conceived of the story idea when I was 23, and completed the novel when I turned 30, following many years of rewrites and revisions. The concept for the story was more of an observation, which was that punk characters in movies, books, and on TV were always the same, and always wrong. I thought, I should write about the experience of being immersed in the hardcore/punk scene that is both accurately depicted and emotionally involving. Seven years later, the book was completed. The story chronicles the lifestyle, ambitions, and attitude during the era of Black Flag, Minor Threat, and Bad Brains when Straight Edge was a new concept and hardcore was king.
To fund the initial printing of Salad Days, I got a second full-time job bussing tables and washing dishes at a pizza joint for a year. I had no interest in trying to get a publishing deal with it, and did not try. DIY all the way… Ten years and several thousand copies later, it is now in its eighth print with a new cover to mark its tenth anniversary.
300 pages
Salad Days is, in a word, amazing. I can’t describe how much of an effect this book has had on me. Nothing else I’ve ever read has so clearly interpreted the life of a punk, and told it so entertainingly. - Twenty Inches eZine
Salad Days…how things were when it all really mattered. - LA Weekly
Great book! I fucking loved it. Salad Days keeps your heart pumping high-octane gasoline and your emotions running high. Romalotti vividly painted portraits of the characters with such style and familiarity that you’d swear these were people you knew. The book gives you a good idea of the gnarly war-like schizophrenia of touring. Reading Salad Days felt more like a walk down memory lane–I came away with a refreshed optimism. Romalotti’s debut novel is quite an accomplishment. - Paul Barger, Maximum RockNRoll
Salad Days is the perfect book for anyone into punk and hardcore music. Romalotti has a real knack for description and character development. There is a great chance you will fall in love with Frank by the end of the story. His intelligence, drive, and will power make Salad Days an inspiring read. I especially enjoyed the detail of the shows; you will feel like you are right there, pumping your fist in the air. - Elyse Jankowski, Stars and Scars Magazine
First published in 2000, Salad Days has become a literary cult classic. Now celebrating it’s 10th anniversary printing in 2010, the book has attained a life like the band it depicts, that of being a dark horse and unknown favorite that will always be a part of the scene.
The story is believable and poignant. Anyone who’s been immersed in the punk or hardcore scene for any length of time will recognize all the scenarios and locations, and the references of to bands that are on the upswing at the time is heavily entertaining. By book’s end, Salad Days has taken a realistic spin on a common punk story, and that is that it’s unguilded and pretty painfully honest. It’s nostalgic, and not always pleasantly so. - About.com
It took a long time to find this, a fictional account of a punk life that has good writing. Offhand I can’t think of another book that does. Romalotti has a valid voice that describes the hardcore lifestyle with authority. The way I see it, there is nowhere else to get this sort of book. Romalotti has done a real service to the punk community. I enjoyed it from front to back. - Boston Groupie News
I really loved Salad Days. There’s nothing more compelling than a book that can make you feel as though I’m there, as this story does, by its biting usage of affluent tones and descriptions. I have enjoyed it thoroughly. - Mike Sosa, Mad Parade
If you grew up in the mid-1980s hardcore/punk scene in America, you won’t be able to put this book down. Salad Days is a very inspiring read. - Bones, Lower Class Brats
Salad Days is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. The main character, Frank Smith, was so well developed that I thought he was real and had to be reminded (more than once) that it was just fiction. Frank could easily be one of my best friends with his philosophies on punk and life in general. The book kept flowing, it didn’t end–no boring parts at all. I can’t wait to see what other writing the author has in stock in the next book. - Nicole, Undecided Distribution
Charles Romalotti’s debut novel, Salad Days, is an excellent first stab at punk authorship, penetrating the emotions and life scenes of a 1980s hardcore youth as he fights to survive a world that would rather see him destroyed. - John Graham, Willamette Week (Portland, Oregon)
Salad Days is great, a must-read. - Nick Mendoza, publicist for BYO Records
Kick-ass novel about discovering punk rock during the Reagan years in Nowheresville, USA. This well-written book is instantly recognizable to any punker. - Alternative Tentacles Records
Salad Days is a beautifully told story. Romalotti obviously knows his stuff and, as a result, Salad Days reads as much like an autobiography as a novel. I don’t know how much of this is based on real life, and how much is made up, but it all comes across as being real, especially seeing as every band mentioned in the book (except for the few major bands), is a real band. I don’t think that I can come close to doing this book justice in such a short review, but please, trust me, it’s fucking fantastic and I can’t recommend it highly enough. There has been very little fiction written about punk rock, which is a damn shame, but this just about makes up for that on its own. If you’re at all interested in punk rock, or even if you’re not, and you just want to read a great story, then, you really need to read this. - Electrocution Distribution, Australia
Salad Days is a solid read, and anybody with an ounce of passion for what punk/hardcore is all about will have a hard time putting it down. The last few pages actually gave me goosebumps. - Askew Reviews
I loved it. The characters were alive with dialog and actions so familiar and cherished, you’ll see old friends here in different names and faces. I felt at home. This book mirrored life in all facets. My favorite parts were the descriptive panoramas of shows on the road and at the Outhouse. Romalotti has a talent to put you in the middle of madness being birthed on a sagging stage occupied by people just like us. Reminded me of every perfect and worst moment in my life. Impressive and needed, Salad Days is an anthem of growing up punk. I can’t wait to read the next book, Rash. - Neil Edgar, Wiener Society fanzine
Salad Days is the kind of book that just hit too close to home. I cannot explain how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. - Tim Oi, Boots fanzine
Let me just start by saying that this book is amazing. This book is a must read for any fan of the punk/hardcore genre. What hit home the most for me is how detailed the story was, especially the way that I can relate to the main character. It’s one of those books that you read and you can just put yourself right in the same situations. Romalotti is excellent at developing characters that we can all relate to. So, all that I can say is that you should buy this book. Anything else I can say won’t do the book justice, just go out and buy it! - Through These Eyes.net
The author delves far beneath the shallow surface of hair and clothes, and presents a portrait of a guy searching for his place in the world. He learns a lot of lessons along the way, and his readers are the better for it. Salad Days is honest, poignant, romantic, and a fast read. I highly recommend it. - Aimee Cooper, author of Coloring Outside The Lines
Salad Days is a poignant memoir for anyone who ever believed in the power of music and its ability, if not to change the world, at least have an effect on one’s identity and perspective. Romalotti has a skill for character development, dialogue, and rich detail. The text is witty and quick-moving. Anyone immersed in the punk/hardcore scene will get a kick out of the references to bands and locales. - Al Quint, Suburban Voice fanzine
A classic punk coming of age novel. The author was there, and this is a great memoir of growing up punk in the early 80s. A fast-paced, engrossing, and thoroughly enjoyable read. - Ramsey Kanaan, President of AK Press
Let me be frank, I absolutely and thoroughly hate Charles Romalotti. For the past week I have rushed home from work only to lie down on my bed and read as long as my tired eyes allowed. I’d then wake up late and rush to work just barely making it on time. All because of Salad Days, a book I now consider one of the finest I’ve ever read.
Salad Days is many things. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and provoke countless constructive thoughts. Salad Days thrusts the reader into an emotionally charged reading experience. You can’t help but develop a strong feeling of attachment to each character. Perhaps it is due to the masterful way in which Romalotti develops each character, important or not. The stories described in the book should all hit home to the older punk generation, who can remember the hardcore scene of the 80′s. It will also be familiar territory to punk kids of today. Those of us who experienced that feeling of being the odd person out, the outsider, the freak, the punk kid.
However, it is very important to point out that this book is for everyone to read. You don’t have to recognize the band names or venues to enjoy it. You don’t have to understand each reference to the 80′s hardcore scene to understand the message in the book. The message being, find something you believe in. Something you love enough to put all your passion into. Work hard at it and enjoy it to the fullest. Hold onto that fleeing moment when you’re in control of your life and you feel like you’re invincible. Hold onto it, because nothing can last forever. - Bart, punkrockreviews.com
The touching story of your life, through the eyes of one Frank Smith. Everything you’ve experienced in here between the covers. Honest, sincere, forthright. - Gadjet Fanzine
