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Current Picks from

the Watermark Staff

"Fly Me to the Moon" by Alyson Noel (St. Martin's Press, ISBN 0312355084,
$12.95)

If you're looking for a great vacation book, look no further than "Fly Me to the
Moon" by Alyson Noel.  

"Fly Me to the Moon" is Noel's debut chick lit novel; her past works have been
for young adults. And while young adults could still read this novel and have a
good time with it, I found myself readily identifying with the protagonist of
the novel-—stewardess (errr...flight attendant) extraordinaire Haley Lane. How
many women (or men) have gotten their hopes up for a stunning
birthday/anniversary/holiday gift only to have it shattered by some lack-luster
packaging? Not only is Haley's gift lack-luster, but she gets a life-changing
surprise on her 31st birthday.   

This book's most endearing quality is Haley's voice. She wants the fairy tale
ending, but isn't sure if she's willing to give up her freedom in order to
settle down with Mr. Right. Added to that predicament, she isn't even certain
which of the many men she knows (are there five or six?) could even be "Mr.
Right." First there's the star-studded (emphasis on "stud") Pulitzer
Prize-winning author. Then the god-like Greek man she meets while on holiday.
But what about her would-be fiancé-pilot-boyfriend? And don't forget about the
publisher who encourages her to write a memoir and forget about flying. Oh, her
life is tough.  

While the majority of this novel plays out in picturesque locales like Cuba, the
Greek island of Mykonos, and the sometimes shady lives of other flight
attendants, I found myself getting wrapped up in the story. I'm not going to
lie: it's typical chick lit. But that doesn't mean it's not entertaining. In
fact, it's enthralling. I enjoyed Noel's detailed descriptions of places I've
never been and how she shatters the myth that all flight attendants really do
have everything put together.  

If you're planning a business trip, a vacation, or just an afternoon getaway,
take this book with you. And if you're going to be on a plane, ask your favorite
flight attendant (not steward or stewardess) if things really are as Noel
describes them.

Review by Shelly Walston, May 4, 2007


 

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