The Ask - by Sam Lipsyte

The Ask - By Sam Libsyte

My most recent commuting partner has been The Ask, by Sam Libsyte.  This is his 3rd novel, but the first I have read.  A satirical, dark novel The Ask was a quick read (try 3 train rides).

In an era where estate and income taxes for the wealthiest Americans are being debated this timely novel that centers around the world of development for a smaller educational institution hits home.  The main character Milo is a lowly development officer in a world where there are still "the ruler and the ruled" in terms of economic power equaiting to societal value. In The Ask we follow Milo as he navigates the extremes that come between those that have and those that do not.

Milo is a self-hating dreamer who failed to achieve the dreams of his youth and is now in what comes across as a mediocre existence -- although to some his young son and wife would be "the dream" -- his additional trials are certainly something that many in today's environment of an astounding 9.3% unemployment rate will relate to.   He finds himself in the lowest of his low days only to be reunited with a college pal, who has made quite the fortune and needs Milo's help in a personal task.  Milo is quickly drawn into a world that does nothing to help him out of his depression.  In fact, he is surrounded by iconic figures which reach out to the reader and shake them into the fact that this is not just Milo's reality, but a conversation about the reality in which we all find ourselves today.

As Milo's world closes around him the reader is filled with a general sense of dread and bleakness that can only come from good writing. 

Here's a few other reviews of this book that might interest you from The NY Times  and my personal favorite, if for nothing else but the unique and equally depressing citations, The LA Times.

"According to Santa Fe Institute economist Samuel Bowles, roughly one out of every four Americans is now employed guarding the wealth of the rich."  

Sadly, if you, me and 2 other people were in a room...I'd be that one.

You see, I work for an organization that acts as servants to development officers that work to serve the wealthy...as such I can't help but be left with a bit of a depressive hang-over after completing this novel.

Overall, this is a well-crafted tale that keeps you interested until the last word.  Certainly worth your time, but make sure you've got something light and airy to act as dessert to this heavy intellectual meal.

Such A Pretty Face

My good pal and fellow avid reader sent me this fantastic book, Such A Pretty Face, by Cathy Lamb.  My pal noted it was one of her favorites and after page 14 I was already quite sure I understood why.  I DEVOURED this book in a matter of 3 days.  It is intense and wonderful and heart-wrenching and heartwarming all at the same time.

The novel centers around the life of Stevie Barrett - a now thirty something that has been through hell in her short life.  From a schizophrenic murdering mother to a heart-attack at the age of 32 due to a serious weight issue this novel sifts through Stevie's memories as she recovers from the heart break she allowed to build up inside her until her heart, well genuinely broke.

From eating disorders to multiple personalities to alcoholism and beyond...this book examines neurosis and the way that different people work through the challenges that life presents in a beautiful, non-preaching sort of way.

The metaphors through-out the novel are sharp and clear without being overbearing.  We cheer as Stevie works to find out what being Stevie means and finds out what love means - love of herself, love of the world and love of others.

What I found so wonderful about this book is not only the graphic, no-holds barred look into the mental disorders that so often tear at the souls of people but also the unforgiving way it honestly shows that not everyone is perfect and not everyone is a hero.

The novel also does a wonderful job of weaving a love story within the main characters life without that ever being the main theme for the character.  In so much, finding romance does not heal Stevie and does not make her whole - she does that, she works to fix herself, her life and her soul and reaps the benefits of doing so.  She never gives herself up to the romance in such a way that she loses herself or the reader loses sight of the true self-work Stevie is faced with.

I can't recommend this book enough, but make sure you keep some tissues on hand as you work through it.  No matter how stable you are this honest book is sure to explore some deep wounds and make your breath catch as the tears fall in a refreshing release that can only come from true, honest writing.

A perfect read.

The Forty Rules Of Love

"How we see God is a direct reflection of how wee see ourselves..."

I think I've mentioned before, but I am not a religious person perse, but I do hold a strong believe in The Flow and as such I would be considered spiritual. So, please do not think that I have suddenly become "born again" or anything of that nature.  Much to the contrary - what I am about to discuss has only solidified within me my believes of an energy in the world that leads us gently along and our own role in leading ourselves.

My most recent book, The Forty Rules of Love - by Elif Shafak, has caused me a few moments of enlightenment and I'm just on page 50!  The quote above is one such line that intensely spoke to me.


Something I think that speaks to everyone on some level us the search for meaning.  We all want to have a reason for being, to understand our purpose here and find our passions.  This subject is highly relateable and as such the book is a joyous, quick read.

Ironically, the story in this novel is that of a women searching for meaning in her life, which she finds in her career as a reader for a large publishing company when a chance novel crosses her path and leaves her forever changed.

The author entwines the modern day story with one written in the 1200's in Arabia.  The older story touches on mysticism and the search for something deeper in life.  It is the older story, which holds the quotes which gave me cause for pause.

Perhaps it is only with great fortune in life that one has time to have these such concerns.  I feel that it is my current, comfortable lifestyle that allows me now to introspect in a way that is causing me to take long pauses to meditate nearly every other page as I work my way through this novel.  I assume, that I will have several posts to better understand myself as I work through this wonderful book -- and I hope you'll understand.

So, as I believe in The Flow - I have always come to the understanding that what I see as God is within myself in some way.  However, the line regarding the reflection of ourselves in how we define God or in my case, The Flow is an interesting one.  If not only is God within us, but also a reflection of ourselves -- one must hope that that reflection can change and grow as we also change and grow.

You see, I've recently achieved a long-term goal of mine, a financial goal, but a goal nonetheless that has shaped much of my recent time here on Earth.  Having both achieved my personal financial goal and then also the long-awaited goal of being in a stable, healthy relationship...I've found myself searching for definition again.

I've been floundering for a purpose, a passion, something.  Something within me that would point my internal compass onward.  The quote of today reminds me that regardless of what that something is, it's inside of me.  I know what that next step/place is and yet I am blocking myself from it.

This past weekend I came aware that I was doing a few things that brought my spirit down rather than up - even though they were things I once quite enjoyed.  They were things that I feel no longer served to move me along this journey in life, but yet I've done so long that they are "part of who I am."  I struggle to balance my efforts to be enlightened with reality and living in real situations. 

To open this book on a Monday and feel so very entwined it it's story and to have my inner learning vein filled with new blood, well I consider that a Flow Fritter and am quite joyous to have something to regain my momentum with.

I'll leave you with this other quote as I continue in the ponderous of this book.

"The Path to Truth is a labor of the heart, not of the head.  Make your heart your primary guide! Not your mind.  Meet, challenge and ultimately prevail over your nafs with your heart.  Knowing your ego will lead you to the knowledge of God."

The Cookbook Collector

Do you ever catch yourself in a moment; full of anticipation, feeling as if you are in the process of solving a complex problem and yet have no idea what it is that your energy is working on or what is pulling at you?

After a day filled with normal dramatics and one particularly challenging calculation at work I found myself in such a state as I made my way back home via bus, train then car.

This feeling has been happening a tad more frequently to me as of late.  It's like almost figuring "it" out, then the solution slips into the recesses of your brain cavity only to leave you with the sense of "what is it?!"

It's a very strange and unsatisfying feeling.  I recall an old Sex in the City episode where Carrie wakes each night with a start, only to realize nothing was wrong and that was so new to her that she was unsettled by it.  Mayhaps that's the situation at hand?  I have no idea.

Luckily, I have been completely enraptured by my most recent library selection.  Side note: if you've not been using your local library to it's fullest, shame on you.  (and me up until recently)  I've rediscovered the wonder that is the library and the whole library system.  I send them an email saying I'd like X book -- no matter if my local branch has it -- then voila in a matter of days I receive an email saying "come pick up your book!"  Magic, I'm telling you.

Anyway, back to this amazing book I'm reading.  It's The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman.  It's a book about love and life set in a fairly modern time (mid 90's).  I've been so caught up in this novel this whole week that I've nearly missed my stops on the train several times!  Certainly a good - lose yourself in a book - kind of novel.  It's not particularly life changing, but it is a great story.

Click here for Ron Charles' of the Post's review of the book...he's probably a bit more qualified to review it for you as I've yet to finish!

Needless to say, I'm nearly done with said book and will be looking (and always am looking) for another -- so send in suggestions if you have any of recent titles you've enjoyed!

I have a feeling I might need them to keep whatever it is my subconscious is so diligently working on at bay!!

Have a happy day!