Book excerpt: Reza Saint-Michel is a rather typical 23 year old of the new millennium. On the first night in June, Reza and two friends embark on a riotous night in New York City, encountering a vibrant stream of characters along the way. What starts off as a night of lighthearted camaraderie, slowly evolves into a candid reflection of the cultural conversations and dilemmas that this generation is wrapped up in. As events unfold, discussions about identity, healthcare, the environment, housing, and more take place. So often labeled lazy, uninformed, and over-sensitive; the characters strike these claims down while reflecting the ardent frustration and ambition that permeates this generation. The young are meant to play, but that doesn't mean they can't also be informed and passionate about what's going on in the world around them. The two modes of being aren't mutually exclusive, they're intrinsically intertwined in this generation. This is a story of friendship, an ode to the illuminated city and its myriad scope of characters. It's a portrait of youth in the modern age. Laden with poetic imagery and a glimmering palette of emotions, this is The Vapid Vanities of Wonder.