My Own Devices

True Stories from the Road on Music, Science, and Senseless Love

By: Dessa

Narrated by: Dessa

“I love the way Dessa puts words together. In her songs, in her poetry, in her short stories, and now in this beautiful and candid memoir. Wanna be an artist? Get this book.” (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

"Dessa writes beautifully about a wide range of topics, including science, music, and the pain that comes with being in love; it's a surprising and generous memoir by a singular voice." (NPR, best books of 2018)

Dessa defies category - she is an intellectual with an international rap career and an inhaler in her backpack; a creative writer fascinated by philosophy and behavioral science; and a funny, charismatic performer dogged by blue moods and heartache. She's ferocious on stage and endearingly neurotic in the tour van. Her stunning literary debut memoir stitches together poignant insights on love, science, and language - a demonstration of just how far the mind can travel while the body is on a six-hour ride to the next gig.

In "The Fool That Bets Against Me", Dessa writes to Geico to request a commercial insurance policy for the broken heart that's helped her write so many sad songs. "A Ringing in the Ears" tells the story of her father building a wooden airplane in their backyard garage. In "'Congratulations'", she describes the challenge of recording a song for The Hamilton Mixtape in a Minneapolis basement, straining for a high note and hoping for a break. "Call off Your Ghost" chronicles the fascinating project she undertook with a team of neuroscientists to try to clinically excise romantic feelings for an old flame.

Her writing is infused with scientific research, dry wit, a philosophical perspective, and an abiding tenderness for the people she tours with and the people she leaves behind to be on the road.

My Own Devices is an uncompromising and candid account of a life in motion, in music, and in love. Dessa is as compelling in this memoir as she is onstage, making My Own Devices the debut of a unique and deft literary voice.

©2018 Dessa (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“[Dessa is] a natural at the written word. There's not an essay in My Own Devices that's less than fascinating.... [My Own Devices] is funny, heartbreaking and brilliantly written, and very possibly the best memoir by a musician since Patti Smith's Just Kids.” (Star Tribune)

“Dessa has captured the punishing beauty of untenable love and touring, states of being that both require a stubborn, romantic heart.” (Tegan and Sara)

“Dessa’s words are an articulation of the universal.” (MN Daily)

Even more beautiful 2nd read thru

Love this artist!! So insightful and beautifully written. Will be re-reading/listening again for sure

If you like Dessa, you'll love the book

If you're into anything she does, this book will be an easy entertaining listen. This book gives background for all the things she's done, career or otherwise. It is like a sneak peak into Dessa's head.... almost literally

Prose for the soul

Absolutely stunning and vulnerable story everyone who has ever loved and lost and kept trying can find healing in. A must listen.

Interesting and Impressive

This book is beautifully written and performed by the Author, and while it chronicles the life of a touring musician, it investigates the realities of a career as a creative artist and the chaos of powerful love. For sure worth a listen or a read, the view through the eyes of Dessa is fascinating.

Cool Read

Cool read. Dessa definitely has a way with words and the extent to which she tries to forget her love for Xzibit was surprising. Would love to see a full fiction from Dessa, that would be neat.

Beautiful, intellectual, and fascinating

I fell in love with Dessa's music about eight years ago after picking up a copy of Badly Broken Code at my local record store. Since then, her voice has been a constant in my life. When she released Spiral Bound, I fell in love with her prose. This book does not disappoint. It is intellectually fascinating, and full of vulnerability and strength. I found myself laughing, and crying at times. Pick this gem up, you will not be disappointed. Thank you for this gift Dessa!

I just love everything Dessa does. She knows words

Seriously though. She has a way with metaphors like no-one else. I knew she was smart but dang....she's brilliant. I am super curious about who "ex" is.... but she would have told us if she wanted us to know. #Dessaforpresident

Brilliant, witty, poignant, joyful

So well written, colorful, textured with keen observations. A meditation on growing up, living an artist’s life and coping with “senseless love”. Made with care. Read with flair. Dessa takes us on her journey, and generously shares her brilliant insights from the road - thus far. Entertaining!

Skillful and natural storytelling

The stories in this book flow as naturally as if Dessa were simply reading from a journal, but also as beautifully as poetry. A very enjoyable listen.

Lives Up To Dessa's Amazing Music

Found myself crying on a long car ride as things got too relatable. Beautifully well-written.