The Why Caf

The questions surrounding the purpose of life have been pondered for thousands of years. Strelecky, an M.B.A. and inspirational speaker, gives some of these questions a fresh turn and brings the reader on a quick journey into self-exploration. Through a fictional account, he tells the story of John, who sets out on a vacation to escape from his unfulfilling life. But after a forced detour, he finds himself lost and his car very low on gas as darkness falls. Beginning to despair, John sees the lights of the Why Café in the near distance and heads in that direction. Despite its appearance, this isn't your typical cafe; it's one where the menu poses questions like "Why are you here?" Before long, John is facing up to what he needs to do to find his way to the life he really wants. This is a simple read but asks profound questions about the purpose of life and our role as individuals. While it often seems that John is overly obtuse, his questioning helps to draw the story out and offers a richer picture of the options available to anyone looking for more meaning in life. (June 1)