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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
It ended so abruptly it was jarring. If there hadn’t been an acknowledgments section I would have thought the download had failed.
Probably more of a 3.5, but what's the harm in rounding up. Sometimes, you want a book that's pretty fun, feels like a world you know but a little skewered, and is full of terrible men who get what's coming to them (kind of) and (eventually, for the most part) vindicated women. That's this book, with IT in NYC as its focal point.
slow-paced
I live in Silicon Valley - land of startups, tech bros, and where the culture surrounding the advancing of technology touches everything. I say this because I feel like I personally have a strong grasp on what it means to be within a startup...maybe not one in NYC like in the book Startup by Doree Shafrir, but as a whole. I put this first because it really had a big role in how I approached this new book.
To be honest with you, this book wasn't even on my radar until it popped up as an option for Book Of The Month Club (which I highly recommend if you're not a part of!) The author is a writer at Buzzfeed, so I wrote it off pretty quickly - not because Buzzfeed doesn't do some cool things but because I figured my lack of interest in Buzzfeed's other work would mean that I wasn't in the desired audience for this book either. But after thinking about it for a little while I decided it was the most appealing of that months picks and that I'd give it a shot.
Startup is the story of a handful of people who find themselves deep within the startup culture - a CEO, a couple reporters, a newly hired social media manager, and those that are linked to them - and find their lives woven together by various links. Through scandal, they are forced to decide where their loyalties lie and how they'll ensure that their success is not marred by the decisions that they choose to make.
To be fair, the story isn't a bad one. In fact, it's one of those that I can easily see making it's way onto the big screen due to it's character likability and the way their lives play out affecting one another if though they may not realize it. But it took so much patience to get through the author talking down to the reader about the different aspects of Startup culture - much of which was either unnecessary or approached in a very condescending way. It would've been much more enjoyable to just stick to the story.
Of course, that doesn't mean that it's not worth your time. If you like inter-personal drama, workplace antics, and the occasional romantic tension...this is a fantastic pick! I really liked it more than I expected and since it's so easy to read, it's perfect for those plane trips or afternoons by the pool.
What did I think?: I really thought this was a good book, and despite not being action packed or too dramatic it really was quite enjoyable. It's not one that I'll be recommending as a "must-read," but if you're perusing the shelves and considering it then I say go on and go for it.
Who should read it?: If you're looking for something easy and light, part of the NYC startup world, or just want to dive into the tech world for a bit - this one's for you.
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To be honest with you, this book wasn't even on my radar until it popped up as an option for Book Of The Month Club (which I highly recommend if you're not a part of!) The author is a writer at Buzzfeed, so I wrote it off pretty quickly - not because Buzzfeed doesn't do some cool things but because I figured my lack of interest in Buzzfeed's other work would mean that I wasn't in the desired audience for this book either. But after thinking about it for a little while I decided it was the most appealing of that months picks and that I'd give it a shot.
Startup is the story of a handful of people who find themselves deep within the startup culture - a CEO, a couple reporters, a newly hired social media manager, and those that are linked to them - and find their lives woven together by various links. Through scandal, they are forced to decide where their loyalties lie and how they'll ensure that their success is not marred by the decisions that they choose to make.
To be fair, the story isn't a bad one. In fact, it's one of those that I can easily see making it's way onto the big screen due to it's character likability and the way their lives play out affecting one another if though they may not realize it. But it took so much patience to get through the author talking down to the reader about the different aspects of Startup culture - much of which was either unnecessary or approached in a very condescending way. It would've been much more enjoyable to just stick to the story.
Of course, that doesn't mean that it's not worth your time. If you like inter-personal drama, workplace antics, and the occasional romantic tension...this is a fantastic pick! I really liked it more than I expected and since it's so easy to read, it's perfect for those plane trips or afternoons by the pool.
What did I think?: I really thought this was a good book, and despite not being action packed or too dramatic it really was quite enjoyable. It's not one that I'll be recommending as a "must-read," but if you're perusing the shelves and considering it then I say go on and go for it.
Who should read it?: If you're looking for something easy and light, part of the NYC startup world, or just want to dive into the tech world for a bit - this one's for you.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
StartUp was a good book but I was a little disappointed in how the story played out. From the blurb I had the impression that the scandal and the outcome of the scandal would be a big aspect of the novel but it kind of felt it was just a build up to the release of the scandal then nothing. The characters weren't likeable and I found myself rolling my eyes at some of their reactions. A few bits in the book were also really predictable the whole Dan being into Katya, Mack and Isabelle's relationship blowing up in his face. I was a little confused by the whole Sabrina story line, from her shopping addiction to selling her underwear seemed a bit far fetched and a little bit weird. It just felt like it wasn't relevant to the book.
Not what I thought the book would be.. a little disappointed in this one
Not what I thought the book would be.. a little disappointed in this one
I really liked Startup. Nothing revolutionary, but it had everything I'd want in an enjoyable book and I didn't get bored throughout. The characters were fleshed out. All the men in the book were awful, which is always fun. The plot was interesting and kept me attentive.
Wasn't a struggle to finish. Probably closer to a 4.5 than a true 5 star book, but I don't feel like I wasted my time or anything. Would be a great beach or vacation read, too.
Wasn't a struggle to finish. Probably closer to a 4.5 than a true 5 star book, but I don't feel like I wasted my time or anything. Would be a great beach or vacation read, too.
I barely finished this one, I had to skim read the last third to get through it. The set-up has potential - a bunch of startup employees facing business and personal drama. However, NONE of the characters were compelling. Almost every paragraph is bogged down by references to technology and the plot is so slow to develop. By the end I was somewhat invested in the plot resolving.
2/5
2/5
Great as a beach read. Most of it's light and fun and actually gives a male perspective, which is rare in these almost chick lit books. It's a pretty accurate depiction of life in the tech/media/advertising world. I have heard some version of these conversations every day for the last 10 years - it [satirically] captures the millennial malaise well. That said, some of the characters infuriated me (below).
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SPOILERS
-Isabel made me SO angry. Her relationship with Mack was entirely consensual, she just found him annoying. Yes, it was inappropriate for the relationship to have happened in the first place, but given that they were both into it, it wasn't the worst of things. When it ended, Mack didn't treat her poorly. He treated her as he would (and did) every other employee, but she couldn't handle actually having to work. Her reaction no longer having success simply handed to her was to ruin Mack's life. She is an entitled brat who doesn't understand the gravity of her actions.
-Dragging someone through the mud when the didn't actually commit the crime you're accusing them of devalues all the legitimate and terrible experiences women are actually going through.
-By the end of the book we're supposed to dislike Mack and view him as a douche who abuses his power, doesn't care about women, etc. While I felt Isabel didn't consider anyone's feelings, I found nothing wrong with Mack's behavior. Once he realized the relationship was over, he behaved like a responsible adult. Yes, he's a bit douche-y, but he seemed pretty much like every early/mid-twenties guy I know in NYC. That attitude didn't bother me a bit, especially since the most annoying aspects were more related to him being a Millennial than to him being a dude.
-Dan is the one male in the book I detested. If you're unhappy in your marriage, talk to your spouse about it, don't hit on a 24 year old subordinate. Frankly, the same goes for his wife. If you resent your life and marriage so much, work on that; don't put yourself under a mountain of debt.
-Katya is the only somewhat likable female in the novel. Yet, when Dan makes a move on her, her thought is "gross he's old and I'm not interested in him". Two reactions would have been more appropriate: 1) as a woman, think of other women with a "how dare he - he's married with kids" or 2) "this is actually an unwanted advance by a boss and is wrong" - how did she miss this reaction when she's actually writing an article about sexual harassment in the workplace?
- At the end of the book, we're supposed to have a "9 to 5" type moment with the 3 women gathered in Isabel's apartment...except unlike that movie, these women don't need to inflict justice since they weren't actually wronged. If anything, they did the wrong-ing. i felt similarly about the book The Assistants.
-I disliked how the last line was something like "and she knew exactly what she was going to do next" - it felt cheesy and a shameless plug to look out for a sequel.
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SPOILERS
-Isabel made me SO angry. Her relationship with Mack was entirely consensual, she just found him annoying. Yes, it was inappropriate for the relationship to have happened in the first place, but given that they were both into it, it wasn't the worst of things. When it ended, Mack didn't treat her poorly. He treated her as he would (and did) every other employee, but she couldn't handle actually having to work. Her reaction no longer having success simply handed to her was to ruin Mack's life. She is an entitled brat who doesn't understand the gravity of her actions.
-Dragging someone through the mud when the didn't actually commit the crime you're accusing them of devalues all the legitimate and terrible experiences women are actually going through.
-By the end of the book we're supposed to dislike Mack and view him as a douche who abuses his power, doesn't care about women, etc. While I felt Isabel didn't consider anyone's feelings, I found nothing wrong with Mack's behavior. Once he realized the relationship was over, he behaved like a responsible adult. Yes, he's a bit douche-y, but he seemed pretty much like every early/mid-twenties guy I know in NYC. That attitude didn't bother me a bit, especially since the most annoying aspects were more related to him being a Millennial than to him being a dude.
-Dan is the one male in the book I detested. If you're unhappy in your marriage, talk to your spouse about it, don't hit on a 24 year old subordinate. Frankly, the same goes for his wife. If you resent your life and marriage so much, work on that; don't put yourself under a mountain of debt.
-Katya is the only somewhat likable female in the novel. Yet, when Dan makes a move on her, her thought is "gross he's old and I'm not interested in him". Two reactions would have been more appropriate: 1) as a woman, think of other women with a "how dare he - he's married with kids" or 2) "this is actually an unwanted advance by a boss and is wrong" - how did she miss this reaction when she's actually writing an article about sexual harassment in the workplace?
- At the end of the book, we're supposed to have a "9 to 5" type moment with the 3 women gathered in Isabel's apartment...except unlike that movie, these women don't need to inflict justice since they weren't actually wronged. If anything, they did the wrong-ing. i felt similarly about the book The Assistants.
-I disliked how the last line was something like "and she knew exactly what she was going to do next" - it felt cheesy and a shameless plug to look out for a sequel.
As the spouse of one who has been part of start-ups, this is a startlingly accurate portrayal of start-up culture.
3.5 stars. I found this book pretty interesting. It's basically a story about life in the startup tech world, with lots of references to today's technology-focused world -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Uber, mobile apps, etc. It was out of my comfort zone but it's a fast, fun read that is super relevant for our generation.