Friday, July 20, 2012

Thank You For Flying Air Zoe

I can't even tell you how excited I am about this book but if you listening carefully, that's not a pig you hear, that's me squealing! (Terrible image, isn't it? But if it helps I am eating brownie bites so it could very well be a pig.)

Thank You For Flying Air Zoe- Erik Atwell


Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fasten Seat Belt sign has been turned on, but feel free to ignore it, because sometimes life is best lived on its dizzy edges. Your cruising altitude today will be sky high, and you will be flying at staggering speeds as you travel alongside Zoe Tisdale, former Valley Girl and rock star turned bored butter saleswoman.
On the heels of a brush with mortality, Zoe concludes that she’s been letting time pass her by. Realizing she needs to awaken her life’s tired refrains, Zoe vows to recapture the one chapter of her life that truly mattered to her – her days as drummer for The Flip-Flops, a spirited, sassy all-girl garage band that almost hit the big time back in 1987. But reuniting the band won’t be easy. The girls who were once the whiz kid guitarist, the prom queen bass player, and the hippie lead singer grew up and became women who are now a reclusive dog trainer, a wealthy socialite, and a sociopathic environmentalist. Will Zoe bring the band back together and give The Flip-Flops a second chance at stardom? Is it possible to fully reclaim the urgent energy of youth?
As you follow this wild flight path, please know that your destination could be anywhere at all, complimentary oxygen is provided upon request, and baggage flies free. We hope you enjoy the ride, and Thank You For Flying Air Zoe.
I have to say, I love when a woman has a mid life crisis because it hits close to home. Any woman who tells you that she has not hit a low point in her life while crying on the floor of a Target bathroom because the plastic stick you just peed on says you're pregnant and your almost two year old daughter is screaming because of the automatic flushing toilets are spraying her, is quite frankly- a liar. Every woman has a moment like this and it may not be that dramatic and it might not be used as a "crazy customer story" at a Target training to which you'll have confirmed to you when you meet a mom at a toddler class who laughs about it as you cringe. 
But let's talk about Zoe. 
I loved her. I loved her in every way you could love a fictional character that could very well have been you if you started selling butter. She's your 20something friend who isn't married, doesn't have kids, doesn't have a real purpose in life and is basically treading water while everyone else is moving up in the world. She's the perfect example of how one life choice can send you in a tailspin for the rest of your life because you don't quite know how to most past it. 
The book starts off with a near death experience of an almost plane crash. And I have to be honest, I laughed. I kept laughing through the first chapter because it was funny. There is nothing funny about a plane crash where everyone dies but it is funny to see people around you freak the hell out and then it turns out OK. Right? That's funny, right? Well, I think it is. Mostly because I'm that girl laughing during difficult and stressful situations. You don't want me to help you put your oxygen mask on, I won't be of any help. 
The other part I loved about this book is how true to life it actually is. If there was ever a person who would have one bad thing after another happen, it would be Zoe. And me. (See? We're like the same person.) And I admittedly said, "AMEN" when I came a line in the book I reserve for the lowest moments of my life, 
"Sometimes when you think you've finally reached the very depths of hell, you discover that hell actually has a basement."
Right??? My closest friends have heard me say this for years every time a crisis hits me at the worst possible time because honestly, it's just the way life goes for me. And as it goes for Zoe. If Zoe were a real person I would have tried to learn to play an instrument to help her fulfill her dream of playing at the Whisky A Go-Go club in California. I've always been a big believer in going out and trying something new and exciting in your life and marking off the goals on your bucket list. What's life if you aren't going to actively pursue and do the things you most want to in the world? What's the point of having goals and dreams if you never try to go after them? Even if you fail, at least you can say you put forth the effort and maybe it wasn't meant to be. And in like Zoe's case, maybe it isn't so much the fact that she plays there, but more importantly, picking up the friends that were left behind as she moved forward in life. 
So. In all? LOVED THE BOOK. I can't tell you how much I think you need to go out and read this book. This is the book that I will be buying friends for Christmas or for friends who are on baby daddy #6 and maybe need some guidance and condoms. It's a fast read, it's entertaining and you'll get sucked in. And secretly wish you had been in an all girl band in the 80s. 
See what other tour stops are saying HERE too. Erik also has a funny blog and you should check that out HERE and not to mention his Facebook page HERE.  And for those of you who missed Erik's guest post on my blog last night, you absolutely need to do this. Even if you are at work. It's worth it. Go HERE to read it and laugh, but don't pee in your office chair. 

3 comments:

Julie H said...

Hmm someone just asked me yesterday if I was having a mid life crisis. Might be a good book for me? lol

Erik said...

Everything you say is true -- I never once wished I was in an 80s all-girl garage band until I read this book... And now, I dream this dream every day, and curse myself for writing the damn thing! ;)

Seriously, though... Sara, it thrills me to no immediate end that you enjoyed my little novel. You've got some serious writing skills yourself -- which is why I was hoping you'd take on the review gig. I look forward to the day your own book hits shelves -- I have no doubt this day will arrive.

Anyway, gush-fest aside, thank you SO much for giving me some stage time on your blog -- and for spreading the 'Air Zoe' love.

Oh, and don't think I don't see you hiding out there in the bushes. Just remember what the judge told you about boundaries and we'll all be cool... cool?

Excellent. Keep up the entertaining work.

~Erik

Anonymous said...

Oh Sara, this is SO your kind of book! I'm so glad you were on this tour!