Neurotica by Eliza Gordon (Guest Post & Playlist)

Posted September 23, 2014 | 28 Comments

Today I am participating in the blog tour for Neurotica by Eliza Gordon. I read her debut novel – Must Love Otters – at the end of last year and I loved it so much, that it  made my Top Ten that year. So I’m very excited to read Neurotica! For now, Eliza is sharing her Top Ten Playlist for the book. Enjoy!

neurotica
Neurotica by Eliza Gordon
Published August 7, 2014

If you find yourself talking to Jayne Dandy, keep the conversation on Star Wars and rubber ducks—best not to mention men, dating, or S-E-X. Because Jayne is fine with the way things are: writer of obituaries and garage sale ads by day, secret scribe of adventures in distant galaxies by night. But her crippling fear of intimacy has made her the butt of jokes since forever, and hiding behind her laptop isn’t going to get her lightsaber lit.

After her therapist recommends that she write erotica as a form of exposure therapy, Jayne joins forces with pen and paper to combat the demons that won’t let her kiss and tell. Unexpectedly downsized at work, she adopts a pseudonym and secretly self-publishes one of her naughty books to make ends meet. When her adorable, long-time friend Luke, co-owner of the popular Portland food truck Luke Piewalker’s, hears she’s been demoted, he insists on hiring her to sling éclairs and turnovers at his side. Her secret must be kept, but sparks ignite between them, sending Jayne and her X-Wing into a tailspin that will either make her face down her neuroses or trigger a meltdown of Death Star proportions.

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Guest Post

As writers are wont to do, I asked a trusted friend (or two) to preread an earlier draft of Neurotica for feedback and constructive critique. With one particular reader, I got way more than that—a playlist! Everyone say hello and thanks to Mariyam at Oh Panda Eyes for her astute understanding of Jayne Dandy’s journey. I love it when friends and readers throw songs at me as it helps showcase the story in entirely new ways—especially because it’s fun to imagine the book coming to life in a medium bigger than paper. Big screen, baby!

Following is an awesome playlist with the accompanying scenes best narrated by the associated song’s lyrics and melody—I’m trying super hard not to *spoiler* this for you, but it’ll be fun to see if you agree with our choices. If not, feel free to leave YOUR favorite scene songs in the comments!

1. When our lead character Jayne Dandy and her BFF Gretchen realize that Jayne’s first book is doing so well? They might have grooved alongside the awesome energy of Electric Guest’s “This Head I Hold.” Of course, they probably woke up the hipster baby downstairs, but dude, so worth it.

2. It’s pretty obvious early on that Jayne has a thing for our adorable pie slinger, Luke (Pie)Walker. She visits the food truck every morning, watching his interactions (and flirtations) with customers, and it is only her fear of All Things Relationship that keep her from throwing her hat into Luke’s ring—at least at first. Mat Kearney’s “Ships in the Night” would do nicely here.

3. There’s a certain kitchen scene where two of our friends might be cooking up more than dinner and dessert. Christina Perri’s “Human” says a lot about what Jayne is feeling as she swims in unfamiliar waters.

4. Luke and Jayne find themselves in the midst of a misunderstanding big enough to derail whatever might be developing. For this, “Hurricane” by MS MR is a strong way to communicate what these characters are likely going through in their own heads.

5. This misunderstanding hits Jayne hard, especially when it compounds. It think Haley Reinhart’s “Undone” and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey might be called for here.

6. Of course, when the ice cream is gone, Great Big World will give Jayne a little more time to think about what she wants with “Say Something.” Someone pass the damn Kleenex.

7. Jayne takes a brave step to express her feelings by putting pen to paper, as she struggles with verbalizing what she wants or needs with pretty much everyone except her therapist. Although a man sings this to a woman, John Legend’s romanticism is drippy and sticky, just the way we like it. She might have played “All of Me” on repeat while writing her little love story to a certain éclair-baking Star Wars nerd.

8. This song probably got me the most excited while listening through the list. Jayne’s alter ego writes racy erotica, but her first love is sci-fi and fantasy. While working on the side story called Eider, Woodkid’s “Iron” is PERFECT accompaniment (as is pretty much the entire album) for what Mooney and Illyria are up against.

9 & 10. For these last two songs, I have to tread delicately—or else, SPOILER CITY! Have a listen to Ron Pope’s “Perfect for Me” and the remake of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” by Javier Colon. And then let me know what scenes you think those belong with. Awwww, love is so great. So are éclairs.

Swoon away, friends!

About the Author
eliza

A purveyor of fictions, Eliza Gordon has excellent taste in books, shoes, movies, and friends, and questionable sanity in the realm of love. Best leave that one alone.

Connect:

Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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28 responses to “Neurotica by Eliza Gordon (Guest Post & Playlist)”

  24. Melinda Dartmann

    LOL Questionable sanity in love!!! I hear ya Eliza! and I’m sure there are many other women who feel the same way!

    Reply

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