Die Young with Me

A Memoir

By: Rob Rufus

Narrated by: Derek Kreider

The deluxe audio edition of this American Library Association Award winning memoir tells the incredibly moving and harrowing true story of a teenager diagnosed with cancer that is “a resounding affirmation of how music can lift one’s spirits beyond gray skies and bad news" (Kirkus Reviews).

Punk’s not dead in rural West Virginia. In fact, it blares constantly from the basement of Rob and Nat Rufus—identical twin brothers with spiked hair, black leather jackets, and the most kick-ass record collection in Appalachia. To them, school (and pretty much everything else) sucks. But what can you expect when you’re the only punks in town?

When the brothers start their own band, their lives begin to change: they meet friends, they attract girls, and they finally get invited to join a national tour and get out of their rat box little town.

But their plans are cut short when Rob is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that has already progressed to Stage Four. Not only are his dreams of punk rock stardom completely shredded, there is a very real threat that this is one battle that can’t be won.

While Rob suffers through nightmarish treatments and debilitating surgery, Nat continues on their band’s road to success alone. But as Rob’s life diverges from his brother’s, he learns to find strength within himself and through his music.

Die Young with Me is a “raw, honest picture of the weirdness of growing up” (Marky Ramone) and the story of a brave teen’s battle with cancer and the many ways music helped him cope through his recovery.

Deluxe edition includes a new afterward by the author and original music.

©2016 Robert H. Rufus (P)2025 Robert H. Rufus

Punk Rock Survivor! A shockingly beautiful memoir of truth.

Utterly blown away by this book.
I genuinely think Rob is even more of a badass learning the in’s and out’s of his journey told to us in his own words. I laughed, I cried, the raw emotive writing gave me so much hope. The story of illness can happen to anyone of us at anytime, this book does offer optimism knowing you’re not the only one going through health issues.
I literally could not stop listening to the audiobook to the very end.
Bravo to the beautiful piece of art through words.

A reminder that even when life tries to silence you, you can still find your song

Die Young With Me isn’t just a memoir, it’s a gut punch wrapped in raw honesty and loud music. Rob tells his story with the same energy and defiance that fuels his punk band. What makes this book unforgettable is how real it feels. Rob doesn’t sugarcoat his fear, anger, or pain. He writes about chemo and hospital rooms with the same unfiltered voice he uses to talk about mosh pits and friendship. This book isn’t just about surviving cancer, it’s about what it means to truly live. By the last page, you don’t just admire Rob Rufus, you feel like you’ve lived his story right beside him.

Baller book

Come sit down and listen to the greatest story ever told. Heartbreak, rebellion, young love; this audiobook has it all.

An incredible journey

This book is one of my favorites. Its the story of how music and family are what is needed to get through some tough times.. this story is grit, rock and roll and survival. And Rob is an inspiration. He shows you that with passion and hope you can keep going to reach your dreams and aspirations. It draws you in and keeps you wanting to listen to more. This is rock and roll period!

A brutally honest and beautifully written memoir.

Rob Rufus’s Die Young With Me is an emotionally charged and deeply inspiring memoir about growing up, finding purpose, and facing mortality far too soon. Rufus, a musician and self-described misfit from West Virginia, tells his story with raw honesty and a punk-rock edge that makes the book both heartbreaking and uplifting.

As a teenager, Rob and his twin brother found solace in music and rebellion, channeling their energy into punk shows and dreams of escaping their small town. But when Rob is diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, his life takes a devastating turn. What follows is not only a medical journey but also a deeply human one—filled with fear, anger, humor, and love.

Rufus’s writing is vivid and authentic. He captures the chaos of adolescence, the bond of brotherhood, and the way music can keep someone alive even when their body is failing. The memoir doesn’t shy away from pain, yet it also celebrates resilience and creativity in the face of suffering. Rufus’s voice is sharp, witty, and painfully real—you feel his exhaustion and his defiance on every page.

Die Young With Me is more than a cancer story.