TRIGGER WARNING: politics, narcissistic parents, personal image issues

I felt for Liv due to everything that was wrong in his life. Why Liv? Has an interesting plot and the subjects covered make it unlike anything I’ve reviewed before.

I feel Jon Sebastian Shifrin was adventurous as an author to combine all these subjects. The resulting novel, Why Liv, is one I feel could spark debate amongst readers because of the issues covered, and the fact they’re issues that make us all feel uncomfortable and/ or uneasy at some point in our lives.

Because of this, I think the book will remain current in its plot and subject matter for years to come.

I think it would make a good book club pick for this reason.

I posted a spotlight post on my blog as part of the blog tour: https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/2020/01/24/spotlight-post-by-jon-sebastian-shifrin/

Thanks to Jon Sebastian Shiffrin and Bublish, Incorporated for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

"Why Liv?" by Jon Sebastian Shifrin presents a satirical take on the challenges faced by Livingstone Modicai Ackerman, or Liv, a seemingly successful corporate employee navigating the complexities of his personal and professional life. Shifrin attempts to explore the lack of purpose in modern work and the allure of reactionary politics in a cynical environment.

The novel introduces Liv, a relatable protagonist grappling with a tedious job, a superficial girlfriend, and narcissistic parents. Shifrin's use of humor, charm, and wit is evident in the narrative, creating a tone that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The exploration of Liv's struggles adds a layer of authenticity to the story, making it accessible to readers who may empathize with the challenges of maintaining dignity and worth in a disillusioned world.

The satirical commentary on the political climate, particularly the rise of a populist candidate with a catchy slogan, is a timely and relevant aspect of the novel. Shifrin successfully captures the febrile atmosphere dominated by reactionary groups, offering a critique of the societal and political landscape.

While "Why Liv?" tackles important themes with humor and insight, the execution may fall short for some readers. The narrative occasionally veers into predictability, and the satirical elements, while clever, may not resonate equally with all audiences. The characters, including Liv, sometimes lack depth, making it challenging to fully invest in their journeys.

The attempt to explain the lack of purpose in modern work and the allure of reactionary politics is commendable, but the novel might leave readers wanting more depth and exploration of these themes. The resolution and the reason to persevere, while present, may feel somewhat rushed and could benefit from additional development.

In conclusion, "Why Liv?" is a three-star read that offers a humorous and satirical exploration of contemporary challenges. Shifrin's wit and charm make the novel an enjoyable experience, but the execution may not fully satisfy readers seeking a more profound examination of the themes presented. It serves as a lighthearted commentary on modern life, but its impact may vary depending on individual preferences and expectations.

Interesting "Why live?" and I guess what drew me to this book was reading in the blurb about the whole question on modern work life balance- and when I started reading even I was depressed, bored and anxious reading about Liv's work environment and guess this was written with focus on Trump era- so there was that as well, however in between his decision to up and leave and go to Spain, the author lost my attention and I struggled with the pace only to pick it up towards the end.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

On the whole, the concept of this book was enjoyable. I enjoyed the analysis of the American political climate, with obvious relation to Trump. However, the pacing felt a bit wrong - I was 50% through the book before he even went to Spain and felt there was too much extravagantly worded explanation of his job, and how bored he was of it. Then when he was in Spain, it felt like most important things, such as his feelings for his girlfriend and the issues in their relationship, didn’t get explored well enough. I would've enjoyed more storyline development being illustrated to us, rather than just told.

Overall, the book was a nice read, but had quite a bit of inaccessible language/discussion as well as being a bit slow in pace.

I stopped at page 55. The plot was boring and predictable. Every character was introduced with detailed, nonsense descriptions. It was just weird.

This was OK. It's about Liv, leaving his corporate job and heading to Spain to 'find himself'. He meets a range of characters who are open to debate about their beliefs and how best to put the world right. Of course he meets a love interest that will help him express himself openly and honestly, help him to 'see' and find his way. At one point this woman tells him that 'Good writing is more subtle than that.' Which is ironic as the messages in this book are not subtle at all.
Any right wing readers will not read it long enough to get as far as the simply written 'reasons' as to how we slipped into dangerous politics (some of us are still there even if US has turned a corner so to speak.) Any readers who get where the writer is coming from knows already, so this is going to be a somewhat nothing book for almost everyone.
Having said that, it must have been quite cathartic for the writer. Getting all the confusion and frustration onto paper. And it's short, says what it wants to say, and it's easy to read, and if it enlightens only a few then that can only be a good thing (imo obs).
So overall a bit of a nothing book for me, I'm afraid. There are much better books for political analysis and there are more personal, less political (or at least a a lot more subtle) stories of people searching for enlightenment. This book tried to be a blend and it didn't quite work for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, Booksgosocial and the author for the review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of Why Liv, in return for an honest review. This was not my normal book choice but was pleasantly surprised and it was definitely thought provoking. This book will make you contemplate life. It will have you questioning life just like the main character. It's a very intriguing read.

I’ll be looking out for more by this author in the future.

A great read, I might not of agreed with every aspect of the book, but it will keep your mind thinking.

This was quite the nice surprise when I started reading this book! While it encompasses the most recent political catastrophe in the USA, the story focuses on a few main characters who create a dialogue not only about daily life but also a philosophical perspective of the human condition. Livingstone Modicai Ackerman—Liv, is open and honest and gets what life is about. The various settings in the novel are quite familiar to me as are some of the various references so I felt quite at home with this novel! This was the reading pick me up that I did not know I needed!