The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: Meatballs & Microphones: A True Story About Small Kitchens and Big Dreams by Gregory Patrick Travers

Author: Gregory Patrick Travers
Release Date: 3rd June 2019
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 183 pages
Publisher: 
Blurb:
Being a cook and a rapper is hard work. Thankfully there are drugs to make it better.
They say out of all the aspiring rappers trying to make it, only 1% will ever find mainstream success. Gregory Patrick Travers pens a fiction-like memoir of the ups and downs of Vancouver rapper, joBlow. One of the 99% who didn’t. Set in the years 2010 to 2014, not only does the book give you a behind-the-scenes look at the world of underground hip hop and the politics of the chain restaurant industry, but it places you in the timeline of notable Canadian milestones like the 2011 Stanley Cup riots, the Occupy Movement, and the 2010 Olympics.
Meatballs & Microphones is a raw look into how one man’s chase for fame led to the destruction of every personal relationship he ever held dear. From bad band breakups to his struggle with addiction, to being homeless in order to pay for his tour expenses, this book lifts the veil of glamour surrounding fame and focuses on the hardships and downfalls that come with it.

Book Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Meatballs & Microphones by Gregory Patrick Travers is a touching and extremely relatable tale of someone who did not make it big in the music industry and, therefore, is a very realistic dig at the other side of the coin towards which a lot of people tend to turn a blind eye. This book is very much an eye-opener for anyone who either wants to enter the hip-hop music scene/industry or want to know how things really are behind the scenes.

I loved the writing of the author as it successfully delivered the context in a very relevant way and managed to pull at my heartstrings at the same time. I felt strongly for the author and was enraged in the last third fo the book, though thankfully, I was relieved by the ending as it turned out to be okay, if not great, for the author.

I’d definitely recommend this book to all the non-fic readers, but I’d also urge the fiction readers to check out this book as it reads really well (almost like a fiction novel) and tells a great story.

You can also read this review on 

I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
September 2020
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Spotlight: THE FATIMA FILE: The Case of the Missing Millennium by Tom Lysaght 

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring Tom Lysaght for their latest release, The Fatima File: The Case of the Missing Millennium. Book: THE FATIMA FILE: The Case of the Missing MillenniumAuthor: Tom Lysaght Publication Date: 12 May…

  • Book Review: Red Sky by A. B. Acharya

    Book Details: Author: A.B. AcharyaRelease Date: 2 March 2026Series: Juggernaut Series (Book #1)Genre: Medical Conspiracy ThrillerFormat: E-book Pages: 334 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:He came to fix the world’s most dangerous drug. The drug had other plans.Narin Roy is writing his…

  • Book Spotlight: The Strains of Malice by Andrew Beardmore

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring Andrew Beardmore for their latest release, The Strains of Malice. Book: The Strains of MaliceAuthor: Andrew BeardmorePublication Date: 28/2/2025Publisher: Ryelands Books (an imprint of Halsgrove Publishing) Pages: 397Genre: Epic…

  • Book Review: North of Broken & Furever Home by Holly B. Gutwillinger

    Book Details: Author: Holly B. Gutwillinger Release Date: 14 February 2026Series: Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Animal FictionFormat: E-book Pages: 264 pagesPublisher: Ramblings From The Little Shed PublishingBlurb:Renley Nelsen’s life is unravelling. She’s caught between midlife melancholy, her sons have drifted…

  • Author Interview: Travis Peterson

    Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome Travis Peterson, author of Salvation Reigned, for an author interview with The Reading Bud. About The Author Travis Peterson Travis James Peterson is a former Marine. He has spent…