Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto has quite a tale to tell in her new memoir, Coal To Diamonds.

In the book, published earlier this month, Ditto details her life growing up in rural Judsonia, Arkansas, where squirrels were prized as food and fashion accessories. Finding a home in the punk scene as a teen, she ditched Judsonia after high school for Olympia, Washington, embracing the riot grrrl movement. There, she eventually formed Gossip with longtime pals and fellow Arkansas refugees, Nathan “Brace Paine” Howdeshell and Kathy Mendonca.

I’ve only read the first chapter of Coal To Diamonds, excerpted below, but can’t wait to devour the whole thing from cover to cover. I hope Ditto remembered to mention her love for Madonna as she was writing the book.

Purchase Beth Ditto – Coal To Diamonds: A Memoir via iTunes, Amazon.