
Contemporary fiction
Startup
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Full of humor and scathing office drama: Risqué text messages. Tech bros. An influx of viral mishaps.
Millennials drinking green juice teetering between cushy benefits and Adderall addictions. The frantic pace, open office, the witty repartee, the keg parties. The mission! The stock options! Having worked at start-ups and in online culture for more than a decade, I’ve seen it all. And, based on my experiences at least, Startup captures the vibe perfectly. Â
A satirical and intensely entertaining debut, Startup is an amusing story of the absurdity of tech culture and modern romance gone awry. Even if you secretly lament the good ol' days when people used the telephone instead of Snapchat, anyone who’s ever held an office job will find something to identify within.
The story begins with Mack McAllister, the founder of TakeOff, a wellness app valued at $600 million. He is untouchable, cocky, and setting the pace in Silicon Alley (New York’s answer to California’s Silicon Valley). His ultimate goal: To get the business to $1 billion, no matter how empty the product might be.
Like Mack, the female characters in Startup are smart, unpredictable and display a level of brashness to be feared and admired. There’s Isabel, whose official title at TakeOff is Engagement Ninja. She’s young, beautiful, and seemingly careless with her life choices. There’s Sabrina, a working mom who, at the ripe old age of 36, is one of TakeOff’s older employees. Then there’s Katya, a fierce young reporter hungry for her big break at online magazine TechScene. Together these women develop an unexpected bond and might even have each other’s backs in a cutthroat industry. Trust me, they’ll need it.
Startup is full of humor and scathing office drama: Risqué text messages. Tech bros. An influx of viral mishaps. Doree Shafrir perfectly captures the absurdity of our internet obsessions -- all the useless apps that navigate our day-to-day existence. I found myself laughing (and occasionally cringing) at her vivid and scathing observations. I encourage you to read _Startup_ and see how their digital worlds collide. You won't be disappointed!Â
Kayla S.
Mcewen, TN
When I picked this book for the month of April I honestly thought I was going to hate it. It was actually pretty darn good. I felt like I could connect with one of the women and it made it much better
Katherine D.
Belmont, NH
This is a book that finally builds up and makes it harder and harder to put down. I found myself reading this faster and faster, anticipating what would happen next. Cliff hanging ending! What's next?
Elysa P.
Clarksville, TN
I picked Sleuth-Status & Spine-Tingling emojis because there are many exciting mysteries, but they're all office-gossip related. This novel is good stuff. Little slow to start but very worth finishing
Elaine H.
Yorkville, IL
Quick read but this book surprised me. At the beginning you think it will be the stereotypical startup machismo environment but it finishes with strong female empowerment. Women sticking up for women!
HEATHER B.
New York, NY
I expected a much lighter summer read and was pleasantly surprised to find it fun, but woven throughout with a strong feminist narrative and examination of the experience of racial minorities in tech.