Headz [Paperback]

J J Colagrande (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2009

Fiction. Thelonious Horowitz is the next big thing, the Bob Dylan of his times, and he's feeling uninspired. In the past, traveling to music festivals always lifted his spirits. With his band playing a gig in a few days, he decides to leave New York to venture to Oracledang, the biggest and baddest musical festival of the summer. A diverse cast of ten characters, living in New York, Miami, and San Francisco, round out the novel. In HEADZ, everyone comes together at the music festival in Chicago, where paths converge for a summer event none of the characters will soon forget, and a show few will get to see.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J.J. Colagrande was born and raised in New York before settling in Miami. He has been a contributing writer for the Miami Herald, Miami New Times, 944, Closer, and the Sun Sentinel. J.J. currently works as a Guest Lecturer at Miami Dade College and a freelance writer. His fictions have been published in Carve, Big Bridge, Mary, Facets, and many more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: BlazeVOX Books; 1 edition (April 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935402110
• ISBN-13: 978-1935402114
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,410,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This should win awards, August 6, 2009

By 

C. E. Selby "Eric Selby" (Miami Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Headz (Paperback)

This is not a book I would ever have picked up were I browsing new releases in a bookstore. The title would have done nothing for me. And the cover would have been somewhat off-putting. However, I heard about the book through an associate. So I ordered a copy and found I had a hard time putting it down. I certainly agree with one of Mr. Colagrand's reviewers: this new-to-the-market author is indeed a natural writer. He is a master at dialog. The characters are just wonderful, people you would either really want to know or really never want to meet. I'll take the Horowitzes any day. And Mrs. Fetters should have died from the eel.
The central character is Thelonious Horowitz--yes, that is his name--and skateboarding New York native Thelonious is the son of Saul and Adele, two of the most wonderful Jewish parents who have higher aspirations for their late-in-life only child than his: to become a big name in the music business. "He'd be like Peter Pan. He'd find a way to stay young forever." And with a flair he says adieu to his parents and sets out for a big musical festival, singing one of his songs which includes this line: "In eighty years I'll be done with school...."
The cast of characters include the members of the band. The author introduces them in little priceless snippets. Teflon Jones plays basketball and is dealing with the suicide of his mother. KC is a writer who works in a bookshop and lives (for awhile) with Dickie, the son a a wealthy woman who disapproves of much. You just have to love a character who left a job in a museum because there had to be "a better job than the intermediary between humans and their own waste." (KC had tired of being asked where the restrooms were.) Then comes the crew from Miami. OMG! They are so Miami, but not stereotypes.
This is a book with what I call golden-nugget sentences that just bounce out, sentences that are just so unique--and wonderful. The book is written in wonderful little segments, all leading the reader toward a confluence at the bad-ass concert. And if you are in doubt, wondering if you really want to fork out eighteen bucks (You will see there is no discount. An Amazon book without a discount? Since when did this happen?), then all you have to do is read the scene (pages 29-30) between KC and Dickie's mother who has just bought KC off, as in paid her a substantial amount of money to stop her relationship with Dickie. The reader just knows this was a wise decision. How many of us would have benefited from that kind of deal?
It is just that type of book. And if you are, like me, a person without much knowledge in the "music scene," fear not. You will deal quite well. I just loved this book. And if I could I would add a few more stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool And Contemporary, December 10, 2009

By 

Tiffany S. Thompson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Headz (Paperback)

Headz is both funny and dramatic, suspenseful and brisk. The characters are alive, engaging, and easy to relate with. Set in three cities, New York, Miami, and San Francisco, the novel successfully captures the feeling of each location, eventually taking us to Chicago for a wacky and wild music festival. Without spoiling the story, it's safe to say this journey through our counterculture is full of life, action, and surprises. I'd definitely give this a read. It will remind you of people you know, and concerts you've been to, while satisfying your appetite for a funny, sexy and smart story.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read, audacious writing, July 30, 2009

By 

Anonymous "writetothefinish" (Savannah, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Headz (Paperback)

J.J. Colagrande's debut novel is a roller coaster into the core of hip culture, with memorable characters and a plot that will keep you turning the pages.