In his memoir, 1982, adolescent Jian Ghomeshi embarks on a Nick Hornbyesque journey to make music—as well as his dream girl, Wendy—the centre of his life. Back then, acceptance meant being cool, and being cool meant being Bowie. And being Bowie meant pointy black boots, eyeliner, and hair gel. Add to that the essential all-black wardrobe, and you have two very confused Iranian parents, themselves busy adapting to life in Canada against the backdrop of the revolution in Iran.

Alternately bittersweet and laugh-out-loud funny, 1982 recalls such moments as Ghomeshi’s awkward performance as Ivory in a school production of Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder’s Ebony and Ivory, a stakeout of the studio where Rush was rehearsing for its world tour, and an eventful day at the Police Picnic of 1982. Music is the jumping-off point for Ghomeshi to explore young love, heartache, conformity, and the nature of cool.

Jian Ghomeshi is a broadcaster, writer, musician, and producer. He is the host and co-creator of the national daily talk program Q on CBC Radio One and CBC TV. The show, which began in 2007, now has the largest audience of any cultural-affairs program in Canada. In 2012 Jian won the prestigious Gold Award for best talk show host at the New York Festivals International Radio Awards. Ghomeshi was a member of the multi-platinum-selling Canadian folk-rock group Moxy Früvous. Born in England, raised in Canada, and of Iranian descent, Ghomeshi lives in Toronto.

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“1982 is a funny and compelling read … a nostalgic love letter to the 1980s …examining the meaning of cool, and the role music plays in who we become and who we love.” - The Globe and Mail

“A truly great read.” - Toronto Star

“[1982] is equal parts an exercise in Generation X nostalgia … romantic comedy and coming-of-age tale.” - National Post