Michael Zadoorian will be reading and signing his latest novel "The Leisure Seeker" on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Book Beat, 26010 Greenfield, in Oak Park. For more information or to reserve books call 248-968-1190 or visit us online at thebookbeat.com.

Michael Zadoorian is a local Detroit born and raised author whose first book "Second Hand" (2001) was a runnaway cult hit. His follow up novel "The Leisure Seeker" is even better. Read on online Q & A: "The Truth About Fiction." Zadoorian will be interviewed on WDET-FM/ 101.9 FM on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 1:00 AM on the Detroit Today show.

"A colorful first novel...If you're a yard sale lover ... Second Hand may feel like a gift from the (Tiki) gods."
-- The New York Times Book Review

"Hooked me right away — [Zadoorian] is a very entertaining writer, hip and funny."
-- Elmore Leonard, author of Pagan Babies

"Funny and moving, especially as it moves toward its surprisingly beautiful ending. A fine and wonderful novel."
-- Charles Baxter, author of Believers

"Incisively humorous and surprisingly poignant, this is a quirky, surprisingly tender coming-of-age tale."
-- Publishers Weekly

Michael Zadoorian's newest book, "The Leisure Seeker" has been well worth the wait. It tells the tale of a rebel elderly couple who ditch their children and doctors, taking control of their life for one last time as they hit the road. Together they explore America's lost and weird attractions down Route 66, a wild and woolly adventure that rings with truth, freedom and absurdity. Zadoorian is spot-on creating 3-dimensional characters with a zest-for-life, and his quirky, dark sense of humor will have you laughing through the book. "The Leisure Seekers" is a warm, joyful and soulful story that resonates with our times.

"An elderly couple face down death by taking one last, thoroughly unauthorized vacation…A bittersweet fable of the golden years likely to offer consolation to readers who’ve ever known anyone old, or have plans to get old themselves."

"In this affecting road novel, an elderly married couple leave their Detroit home and take off in their camper for one last adventure together. Ella Robina has more health problems than a third world country, and her husband, John, is suffering from progressive dementia. Despite protests from their adult children and doctors, Ella and John hit the road and head west to Disneyland. By day, they stop off at cheese-ball tourist attractions, and at night they relive old memories by watching slide shows of their previous family vacations. Along the way, they receive unexpected aid from a rueful goth teenager, outmaneuver some roadside predators, get stopped by the police and consider running for it, and have sex. The ultimate decision Ella makes might seem life affirming to some and a callous betrayal to others, but its impossible to deny that Ellas wise, feisty voice turns what could be a sappy melodrama into an authentic and funny love story." -- Publisher's Weekly

For more information about the author, press and reviews visit Michael Zadoorian.

The Book Beat is an independent bookstore serving the metro Detroit area since 1982. For more information visit us online at thebookbeat.com