Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
M Train
M Train | Patti Smith
National Best SellerFrom the National Book Awardwinning author of Just Kids: an unforgettable odyssey of a legendary artist, told through the prism of the cafs and haunts she has worked in around the world. It is a book Patti Smith has described as a roadmap to my life. M Train begins in the tiny Greenwich Village caf where Smith goes every morning for black coffee, ruminates on the world as it is and the world as it was, and writes in her notebook. Through prose that shifts fluidly between dreams and reality, past and present, and across a landscape of creative aspirations and inspirations, we travel to Frida Kahlos Casa Azul in Mexico; to a meeting of an Arctic explorers society in Berlin; to a ramshackle seaside bungalow in New Yorks Far Rockaway that Smith acquires just before Hurricane Sandy hits; and to the graves of Genet, Plath, Rimbaud, and Mishima. Woven throughout are reflections on the writers craft and on artistic creation. Here, too, are singular memories of Smiths life in Michigan and the irremediable loss of her husband, Fred Sonic Smith. Braiding despair with hope and consolation, illustrated with her signature Polaroids, M Train is a meditation on travel, detective shows, literature, and coffee. It is a powerful, deeply moving book by one of the most remarkable multiplatform artists at work today.From the Hardcover edition.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
lil1inblue
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Eggs 🤎🫶🏻🩶 7mo
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
sophies_little_library
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

A set of loosely connected travel stories; a careful, devastating poet's voice; the permeating feeling of loneliness.
What did you think?

review
HannaPolkadots
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

A book basically about drinking coffee, reading and writing. So simple, yet so very enjoyable ❤

lynneamch So enjoyed reading this. I hadn't known she married one of the members of the MC5, the local band where I grew up. 3y
25 likes1 comment
quote
HannaPolkadots
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

As if I didn't already have plenty of reasons to love Patti Smith ❤

quote
Pinta
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

97 (Cowpoke) There are actually three kinds of masterpieces, was all he said.

99 The truth is that there is only one kind of masterpiece: a masterpiece.

211 I wonder if I would have been a good detective. It kills me to say it, but I don‘t think so. I‘m not the observant type. My eyes seem to roll within.

67 (Sebald) He recognizes voices within silence, history within negative space. .... What a drug this little book is...

A reader‘s book

quote
Pinta
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Honest nostalgia, loving beyond graves.

86 Not all dreams need to be realized. That was what Fred used to say.

142 The transformation of the heart is a wondrous thing, no matter how you land there.

157 I‘m still the same person, I thought, with all my flaws intact, same old bony knees, thanks be to God. ... As I said good-bye I realized I missed that particular version of me, the one who was feverish, impious. She has flown, that‘s for sure.

review
Pinta
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

How amazing it must be to be loved by Patti Smith. Just the full embrace. Her cowboy guide (surely Shepherd), reminiscences of domestic life with husband Fred, favorite cafe in the West Village, Rockaway bungalow, pilgrimages in search of Genet, Rimbaud, Kahlo & Rivera, Dazai, Akutagawa. Her openness & admission of vulnerability (related: Nobel ceremony). How come even learning her favorite snacks is interesting? Reads like an old friend. 2015

blurb
agrondin44
M Train | Patti Smith

An interesting book that you can read and analyse from different angles. I guess I was more on the side of the very not “artist“ person so some stuff seams a little bit like a non-sense to me. It made me question myself, made me try to get more open-minded about differences but it did not make me want to know more about Patti Smith, even if I tried I feel a little kind of indifferent. I'll have more thoughts about it and this feeling may change.

1 stack add
blurb
arlenefinnigan
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Ruthiella Perfect! 😀 5y
Cinfhen Fantastic choice 👍🏽‼️ 5y
32 likes2 comments
review
SamAnne
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Mehso-so

I love Patti Smith. And I mostly listened to the audio version—read by her. But I‘d only recommend this to Patti Smith fans. More a collection of short vignettes. Some cut-to-the-bone writing about life, loss, mourning, art. Interspersed with the really mundane. She writes about coffee so much I started to laugh. Getting coffee. Making coffee. Drinking coffee. Finding a hard time getting coffee in Japan. Still, it‘s Patti Smith!!

Severnmeadows Love your review. Atmospheric cover- makes me want to buy it 😊 (edited) 5y
53 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Eva_B
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Mehso-so

I don‘t think I was in the right mood to read this book. Patti Smith loves her coffee and I found myself drinking a lot of coffee whilst reading it! Apart from this, it sadly didn‘t have much of an impact on me.

blurb
Eva_B
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

I would love to be in New York right now....but I can‘t be there....so I am just going to have read about it through Patti Smith‘s eyes 😀

7 likes1 stack add
blurb
SamAnne
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Now here is a memoir I‘m enjoying. More of vignettes from her life, not in chronological order. Her writing is like spoken word. Listening to the audio—narrated by Patti! I could listen to her world weary gravelly voice for hours. Actually, I am! Just requested a hard copy from the library to peruse as I listen.

Theaelizabet Loved the audio. 5y
Suet624 Oh, I never thought to listen to this! Great idea. 5y
Samplergal I loved it. I learned so much about her I didn‘t know. 5y
47 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
Samplergal
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

#Bookishbingo

I got another bingo. I‘m likely to stall here.

review
Samplergal
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

Another book not included in my goals for #24B4Monday. Third finish. Now I‘m really going to work on that stack I originally picked. 😂. #mayMadness.

This was a wonderful book of essays. Such great writing. All I wanted was coffee and some talent for writing while listening to this book. 4⭐️

BeansPage Haha I think we all do that from one time to another. LOL 😋 5y
Andrew65 You‘ve had a great Readathon so far. 5y
84 likes2 comments
blurb
Samplergal
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Enjoying this audiobook so far.

pdever I started out not liking it, but that book turned me right around. I ended up loving it. 6y
Weaponxgirl Wait! This wasn‘t available from audible when I last checked for it in the uk! I‘m so jealous 😭 6y
Samplergal @Weaponxgirl I got it from my library on overdrive. Sometimes I get lucky. 6y
SamAnne Listening now and loving it! 5y
78 likes4 comments
review
writerlibrarian
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

Depression, grief, survivor guilt. All of this are the fondation of this slice of Smith‘s memoirs. I liked the slow spiral of her life. The flashes of brillance drowned into her everyday grey, monotonous life. Grief is a hard lover. Smith is also a fan of procedural tv shows and also a fangirl. Her Doctor is Ten. Her writing flows effortlessly. Depressing not joyful, still really good. #booked2019 #spring #featuringamusician

Cinfhen Fantastic review! I read and really enjoyed 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I really must read this one and Just Kids. Thanks for the nudge! 6y
38 likes2 comments
blurb
writerlibrarian
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

I'm at 90 % mark. Should be finished when the last period is over. #readingandlisteningtohockey

blurb
writerlibrarian
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Aiming to get to 50% on this Sunday afternoon hockey game.
Happy Mother's Day Littens.
#readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian Boston is going into Carolina ahead 2-0 in games. 6y
34 likes1 comment
blurb
writerlibrarian
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Game 1 🦈 and Blues.
#readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian 2-1 🦈 after one. At the end of two, 5-2 🦈 (edited) 6y
36 likes1 comment
blurb
writerlibrarian
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Then there are four. #readinggandwatchinghockey

Suet624 I‘m watching! 6y
writerlibrarian @Suet624 Quite a start from both team. 6y
Suet624 After so many years I still can‘t figure out how hockey players do what they do. 6y
writerlibrarian After one period, it's tied at one. But Boston D Men are a bit banged up. 🤕 🌪 open the second period with a 🚨 2-1 Canes. 2 PP 🚨 for the 🐻 3-2 Boston. 5-2 Boston (edited) 6y
31 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
writerlibrarian
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Do or die. Win or go home. This is Game 7. Go ⭐️
#readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian 1 - 1. ⭐️ tie. Great play by 91 6y
25 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
writerlibrarian
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

I have this in ebook and print. I loved Just Kids and so far, this one doesn't disappoint. It's my next
#booked2019 #spring and #featuringamusician

review
emilyhaldi
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

Smith is a very introspective artist and this memoir of her life stories waxes philosophical at times. She is able to relate her life back to art and literature in a way that can be touching at times, and other times over my head... While some of her anecdotes include her children and late husband, mostly she writes from a solitary and sometimes melancholy perspective. #ownerofalonelyheart
#anglophileapril

emilyhaldi Using this for #booked2019 #featuresamusician 🎤🎸🎼 6y
Cinfhen Beautiful review and worthy musician 🙌🏻❣️ 6y
Mdargusch Sounds depressing. 😕 6y
See All 6 Comments
Reviewsbylola Hmmm I still need a book for this prompt. Which is better, this or 6y
emilyhaldi I LOVED Just Kids!!! @Reviewsbylola def start there. I have it if you want to borrow 6y
sisilia I just found it weird that she visits graveyards of her fav poets, singers etc 😶 6y
96 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
pdever
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

What a beautiful little book. I flipped back and forth about whether I liked it and even went so far as to tell a friend not to bother with it... I almost bailed. In the end, though, I couldn't put it down and I totally fell for it. It's a memoir of loss and grief told through stories of travel, dreams, and nothing, really.

blurb
WanderingBookaneer
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

If you‘ve read tagged book, you may remember the visit and might enjoy the photographs.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/patti-smiths-talismanic-photos-fro...

Weaponxgirl Thankyou! 6y
75 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
mariaku21
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

Not a typical memoir but more a collection of musings on art, philosophy, music, coffee, family, and self.

I enjoyed this small glimpse of Smith and totally understand why she's labeled as the rock n roll laureate.

blurb
Pax5
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Love the Hill of beans story! #pattismith #mtrain

review
Bookalong
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

5?/5
One of my favorite authors!!
"Lost things. They claw through the membranes, attempting to summon our attention through an indecipherable mayday. Words tumble in helpless disorder. The dead speak. We have forgotten how to listen."
~Patti Smith,M Train
#pattismith #poet #mtrain #books #bookish

blurb
TheBookstorePodcast
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Reading this mere meters away from the Florabama Bar is either the least Patti Smith or most Patti Smith thing I could be doing.

-corinne

rustoryhuf FloraBama! 7y
Mlfoley012 Heart the Florabama! 7y
59 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
SharonAlger
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

This is a non fiction about thoughts in Patti Smith‘s head. It‘s an easy read, some parts I found interesting and I enjoyed her perspective on life. Her use of dialogue drove me batty. She listed her dialogue with these at the beginning: - . Why? As much as I enjoyed it, my mind did wander quite a bit as I read this.

I enjoyed reading something outside of what I‘d usually read, and I loved her artist‘s perspective and her life experiences.

xicanti Dashes instead of quotation marks is very much a non-English thing, but a few English-speaking writers adopt it too (presumably because they think it's fancy). Personally, I find it creates a distance between me and the dialogue, so I struggle to connect with writers who do it. 7y
SharonAlger @xicanti, I agree. 7y
37 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
MelindaCooper
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

I don‘t buy many paper books (I use a combination of the local library and buying kindle books) but I had to make an exception for Patti ♥️

SamAnne Yes. 5y
7 likes1 comment
review
Eyejaybee
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick
16 likes1 stack add
blurb
SharonAlger
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Who wouldn‘t love to trade places with #PattiSmith?

24 likes1 comment
quote
SharonAlger
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Where are you standing right now? #vmbookclub

review
KatieKate80
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

Half way through the veggiemama bookclub pick for Feb

DebbieGrillo Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. 7y
Kaye Welcome ♥️ Thank you for the Follow. 7y
10 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
SharonAlger
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

I just started reading this. So far, so good . #vmbookclub

DebbieGrillo Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
SharonAlger Thanks so much ❤️ 7y
MelindaCooper I‘m really liking it so far too! Also recommend Just Kids if you‘re a Patti fan ♥️ 7y
See All 9 Comments
SharonAlger I‘d give it a go 😊 7y
RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! from me too! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. 7y
SharonAlger Thanks very much, @RaimeyGallant ❤️ I will do that 7y
RaimeyGallant Hope it helps. :) 7y
PurpleyPumpkin Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a great community and I hope you enjoy it here. Really enjoying your posts!😉👍🏽 6y
SharonAlger @PurpleyPumpkin thanks so much ♥️ 6y
16 likes3 stack adds9 comments
quote
cnfurlano
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

One may tolerate demons for the sake of an angel.

2 likes1 stack add
quote
erzascarletbookgasm
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
TheAnitaAlvarez Patti Smith ❤️ 7y
readordierachel She's the best. 7y
Cathythoughts Excellent quote ✨✨✨ 7y
91 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
JenniferJarrell
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

I've been saving this one for this trip to NYC.

blurb
BookHermit
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Perhaps the polar opposite of sitting in a cafe in NYC. The nearest subway stop is a three day drive away. Quite enjoying Patti's poetic storytelling.

44 likes1 stack add
quote
Bookalong
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth." ~ Patti Smith
Love all her writing! Looking forward to her latest release in Fall. Have you read any of her work?

#books #bookish #booknerd #bookgeek #pattismith #poet #artist #writer #reader #booklover #reading #biblio #literature #bookcollector #pattismith

SkeletonKey Can't wait to read her new book, she's one of my favorites. 7y
Bookalong @SkeletonKey Me too! Soo looking forward to it! 7y
11 likes2 comments
blurb
SconsinBookyBadger
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Morning cuppa with Patti Smith.

4 likes1 stack add
blurb
JenniferJarrell
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Vacation purchases during a trip to Spotty Dog Books and Ale in Hudson, NY. #bookhaul

review
amrsprout
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

Loved it! Wonderfully written memoir.

blurb
CherylDeFranceschi
M Train | Patti Smith
post image

Seems so simple. But to me, the fact that there is still love between Patti and Sam 40 years later is so moving! So, it may be simple but I think it's a really #greatdedication #riotgrams

kspenmoll Agreed! ❤ 8y
88 likes1 comment
review
AlizaApp
M Train | Patti Smith
post image
Pickpick

Melancholic but beautifully written memoir of love and travel and how to say goodbye. #roguebookbingo