Patti Smith has long been celebrated as one of the world's greatest singer-songwriters and poets. Now, the punk icon is getting her due credit as an author as well. Last night (November 17), Smith took home the National Book Award in the U.S. for nonfiction for her memoir, Just Kids.
The book, released in January of this year, tells of Smith's relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, set against the backdrop of late '60s/early '70s NYC. Amongst the people who appear in the book are Jimi Hendrix, Andy Warhol and Janis Joplin.
While accepting the award, Smith spoke about her love of books and urged bookmakers not to abandon print in favour of digital copies.
"There is nothing more beautiful than the book, the paper, the font, the cloth," she said [via Reuters]. "Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please never abandon the book."
U.S. National Book Awards come along with a $10,000 prize. Perhaps Smith can put this money towards recording a new album, as she hasn't released a studio LP since covers collection Twelve back in 2007.
The book, released in January of this year, tells of Smith's relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, set against the backdrop of late '60s/early '70s NYC. Amongst the people who appear in the book are Jimi Hendrix, Andy Warhol and Janis Joplin.
While accepting the award, Smith spoke about her love of books and urged bookmakers not to abandon print in favour of digital copies.
"There is nothing more beautiful than the book, the paper, the font, the cloth," she said [via Reuters]. "Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please never abandon the book."
U.S. National Book Awards come along with a $10,000 prize. Perhaps Smith can put this money towards recording a new album, as she hasn't released a studio LP since covers collection Twelve back in 2007.
