"Bulls, Bands, and London" is a fictional travel memoir that combines an unpredictable love story with a spirited adventure through the rock 'n' roll wonderland of London and thrilling Pamplona during its San Fermin Festival.
Neil Jarvis believes that the wild and sexy Jordan is the best thing in his otherwise predictable life. So when she mysteriously disappears in England after their first big fight, he drops everything in order to search for her and win back her heart.
Now while his journey begins in the rock 'n' roll wonderland of London, it unexpectedly leads him to the chaotic debauchery of Pamplona's San Fermin Festival. And that's where salacious secrets are uncovered that inevitably test Neil and Jordan's roller coaster relationship—and threaten to tear them apart.
John Meyer continues to rewrite the rules of the traditional travel book with another fictional memoir that combines the fun facts of selected history with present-day drama and humor.
Excerpt
"Our first big fight felt different from all the rest. Of course, it contained the usual amounts of outrage and pettiness. But it also introduced something new: an acute impression of finality.
When Jordan slammed the car door, I knew she wouldn’t return my calls for awhile. And I knew that I couldn’t patch up our problems with a warm embrace or a fitful apology or an overpriced gift or a complete retraction of everything I had said or had meant to say. No, I would need something bigger than all that.
The conversation that evolved into our big blow-up started off innocently enough. Since popular music was my obsession and her profession, we often debated bands and artists. But it never ended acrimoniously. I liked Paul McCartney better than John Lennon. That was okay. I liked David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust while she liked Berlin Bowie. No problem. I preferred "OK Computer;" she preferred "Kid A." I’d rather see Doves; she’d rather see Snow Patrol. I’d take Carl Barât over Pete Doherty, while she liked them the other way around. It was all good and without remorse. But that all changed when we discussed Michael Jackson..."
(page 1 from "Bulls, Bands, and London")
Professional Reviews
Britpop, Travel, and Romance (from amazon.ca)
Just finished reading Bulls, Bands and London and enjoyed every page. Couldn't put it down the night I started reading it and was halfway through before I was forced to turn out the light for the night. If you're a fan of travel, Britpop, London or Spain then you'll enjoy this fictional travel memoir. This is the author's second book and he has really hit his stride with his characters and you feel that you are traveling along with the lead character Neil as he journeys through London and Pamplona in search of his love Jordan. Some twists and turns, along with running of the bulls, and you have a very satisfactory conclusion to this book.
Nostalgic Musical Journey (from goodreads.com)
John Meyer returns with his second novel, this time exploring the sights and cultural eccentricities of Pamplona and London. John continues to pioneer and develop the travel novel concept and, once again, successfully achieves an entertaining journey with Bulls, Bands and London. The exploration of the Britpop musical genre is worth the read alone and any novel peppered with musical references gets two thumbs up from me. I thoroughly enjoyed John's first offering, 'Bullets, Butterflies and Italy', and his latest work is a fantastic follow up.
A Travel Book with a Difference (from amazon.com)
This is a great, funny book that takes readers into the heart of the music scene in London. It's a travel book with a difference - as the author John Meyer cleverly weaves fiction and a travel memoir into one!
This story follows Neil Jarvis on his journey to track down the love of his life, who he believes has gone to London. There are twists and turns and lots of drama... And to know the full story you'll have to read the book...
Perfect for fans of Bill Bryson, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Cheryl Strayed, this is more than a travelogue—it's a hilarious and heartfelt journey for anyone who has ever wondered: "Is this it?"
At the heart of the eight compelling nonfiction stories and five-article appendix which make up Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah is this interesting question: What would your life mean if you were living someone else's dream of what it should be?
