Similes are comparisons using "like" or "as". For example, "The moon is like a giant cheese wheel." "Falling Up" relies more on metaphors and other figurative language.
Here's an example of a metaphorical comparison in "Falling Up":
"The sidewalk was a river of hot asphalt." This compares the sidewalk to a river, but doesn't use "like" or "as".
If you can give me a specific part of the book you're interested in, I might be able to find a metaphorical comparison that fits your request.