Welcome back to the Reader’s Den. In the early chapters of A Visit from the Goon Squad we meet Bennie Salazar. In his middle age Bennie is divorced, has a son and works as a record company executive. But Bennie fondly remembers his days playing bass in a punk rock band.

While Bennie and his bandmates are fictional, the bands they listened to made real music. You can borrow punk rock music CDs by the Dead Kennedys, the Sex Pistols, the Ramones, the Clash and Blondie.

For more music featured in the book, check out the website, Small Demons. It’s a neat site that connects books, music, people, places and events. You can even listen to a preview of the songs.

The punk movement was more than just the music. Art, fashion, film and books all played a part in defining the subculture. In New York, the magazine Punk helped bring all the aspects together. The Best of Punk Magazine, an anthology of interviews, photos, cartoons, articles and more from the magazine recently hit the stands. Reserve your copy today!

Enough about the music. Let's talk about the book.

Redemption seems to be a theme. Do any of the characters seek it? Do they find it?

Did you like or dislike the structure of the book? How did the shifting perspectives affect your perception of the characters?

"This is reality, right? You don't look good anymore twenty years later, especially with half your guts removed. Time's a goon, right?" says Bosco (p. 96). Do you think the characters perceive Time the same way?

Looking forward to reading your comments!