Why Does Everyone Steal My Lighter? — Michael Johnston

Michael Johnston's unruly and hysterical novel follows a cast of characters from the '90s rock band, Texas Flip: their story told through various concerts during the band's two-plus-decade career, each leap in time connected by a fine thread of rushed quarter notes, broken strings, and free drink tickets. Amongst them is Zach Long, guitarist and overseer of their dogged pursuit of musical excellence. Luke Strange, lead singer and bass player whose sex addiction has ruined more than one performance. A manager, Todd Shift, clutching at the group's frayed coattails for as long as their ride will last.Collected, these musicians deliver the playbook of what life in a band used to be like--navigating a world without GPS, social media, or legal marijuana, with a thirst for only the next gig or riff, with amusement and passion and simplicity. Regarded as an early classic, Why Does Everyone Steal My Lighter? is right away comical and entertaining, wholly funny and justly memorable.