New York rocker Jesse Malin's story is told in Almost Grown, a new book co-authored by Debra Devi. This literary memoir and coming-of-age story explores Jesse's boundless creativity and triumph over daunting challenges, both physical and emotional. The book will be released on April 7, 2026.
Jesse Malin is a “gritty troubadour of the streets” (Rolling Stone) and “fearless storyteller” (Uncut) who tours internationally, and collaborates with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead, and Lucinda Williams. Malin went from playing CBGB at age thirteen to Madison Square Garden in his twenties. His first solo album, The Fine Art of Self Destruction, which was hailed as “a masterpiece rising from the pain of a difficult youth” (Classic Rock), launched his long and successful solo career.
Almost Grown is a raw, honest, and often funny account of how a hyperactive kid from Queens made his dreams come true—and the hustlers, sweethearts, misfits, and lifelong friends he met along the way. With Malin as its streetwise narrator, the book has more in common with The Basketball Diaries or Just Kids than with the standard rock biography. Although music is at the core of Malin’s soul, the memoir welcomes the reader into the tumultuous inner world of a boy from a broken home determined to create a life he could love.
(LEFT) Jesse Malin (RIGHT) Debra Devi
In 2023, Malin was struck with a rare spinal stroke that paralyzed him from the waist down. The lifelong runner and vegetarian went public with this news—and his fierce resolve to walk again—in an interview with Rolling Stone. The story was picked up by the New York Times, People, CNN, Variety, the Los Angeles Times, and other outlets worldwide. The massive outpouring of love and support culminated in the release of Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin—twenty-eight artists, from Jack Antonoff to Bruce Springsteen, covering his songs to raise money for his recovery.
On December 1 and 2, 2024, Malin gave his first public performances since his stroke, taking the stage for two sold-out concerts hosted by actors Michael Imperioli and Mary-Louise Parker at New York’s Beacon Theatre. Malin’s sold-out theatrical production, Silver Manhattan: A Musical Memoir of Survival, is debuting at the Gramercy Theatre in New York in September 2025.
Almost Grown is published by Akashic Books and is available for purchase online.
“Jesse Malin’s new memoir is raw and sweet and gritty—and surprisingly gripping. I’ve long been a fan of Jesse’s music, but I knew next to nothing about the man behind the songs until I read the dramatic and poignant NYC tale of his rise.” —Harlan Coben, author of I Will Find You
JESSE MALIN is a singer-songwriter signed to Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records. Malin’s critically acclaimed 2003 debut, The Fine Art of Self-Destruction, drew the attention of Bruce Springsteen, who invited Malin to perform songs from the album backed by Springsteen’s band at charity concerts. In the following years, Malin has released a string of well-received solo albums. Grammy winner Lucinda Williams produced his award-winning eighth studio album, Sunset Kids, which features guest appearances from Williams and Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong. In 2024, Malin released a live album and a full-length film, Chasing the Light, directed by David Stekert and Xander Strohm. He has also published articles in Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, and other magazines.
DEBRA DEVI coauthored the multi-award-winning memoir Goodbye Homeboy with Steve Mariotti (foreword by Wes Moore), which she is developing into a film with producer Richard Baratta (Joker, The Irishman). Her book The Language of the Blues (foreword by Dr. John) received the ASCAP Deems Taylor award. Devi is a rock musician living in Jersey City, NJ.
AKASHIC BOOKS is a Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing literary fiction, crime fiction, music/pop culture titles, children’s picture books, and political nonfiction by authors who are either ignored by the mainstream, or who have no interest in working within the ever-consolidating ranks of the major corporate publishers.
