I recently read Keith Gessen’s debut novel All The Sad Young Literary Men and loved it. This passage from the first chapter — “Keith: The Vice President’s Daughter” — takes place in November of 2000:

The night of the election Jillian and I stayed home and watched the results come in, and ate fancy pizza, and blogged away. When they called the election for Lauren’s father, I asked Jillian to marry me — it was corny, it was psychologically obtuse, but I couldn’t think of a better way — and she said, “Yes.” She put on the ring I had bought her and added to her acceptance: “Especially now that we’ll have an environmental President who’ll assure a future for our children.” I kissed her.

When they called the election back, we sat there together in disbelief. The diamond dangled on her finger like a fake.

If you’re so inclined, read the novel’s Prologue on Gessen’s n+1 website. Good stuff. And that’s only the beginning.

Another stimulating thing about this book is the cover: a minimal design and intuitive illustration from the wildly creative minds at The Heads of State. Check it:

Because you love good writing, read Gessen’s book. Because you love good design, visit The Heads of State portfolio. You won’t go wrong with either one.