Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble by Dan Lyons

Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble by Dan Lyons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I identified personally with the author and his story. Dan Lyons was a 53-year-old laid off Newsweek writer who made a significant career change by working for a tech startup. He experiences a vastly different business culture and management style from what he experienced at Newsweek. Lyons found out quickly that his ideas, expertise and knowledge were not as valued as he expected them to be. Lyons was working for a boss about half his age and he was surrounded by other twenty somethings whose worth ethics were significantly different than his own. He was also met with skepticism and condescension due to his age.

Lyons struggles to fit in both with his coworkers, his boss and upper management. He finds it to be a losing battle. Allies become enemies and he can no longer trust those around him. He sympathizes with the plights of the salespeople who face enormous odds in meeting quotas and quickly understands that upper management are more concerned about making money than developing a useful and user friendly product.

This is a cautionary tale for workers over age 40 entering new jobs. The older you are, the less serious you will be taken. You may think that your experience can be useful but your employer and management may find it antiquated.

There is some intrigue at the end of the story as certain corporate forces are concerned about the publishing of the book and the FBI is called in...


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Bright, Precious Days by Jay McInerney

Bright, Precious Days by Jay McInerney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have not read the two books that precede this one (Brightness Falls and The Good Life) tracking the lives and marriage of Corrine and Russell Galloway. The story covers their life post 9/11 living and working in New York City. Changes are brewing. The economy is headed for a huge fall and it carries huge consequences for their careers and marriage. There is an assortment of interesting characters, friends, lovers, business and literary associates that move the story along. The book was about 400 pages and I read it avidly cover to cover. The focus of the novel is on the state of the Galloway marriage which at times was as unstable as the Wall Street Market in 2007-2009. Would love to see a screen version of this book...


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Debt To Pay (Jesse Stone series) by Reed Farrel Coleman

Robert B. Parker's Debt to Pay by Reed Farrel Coleman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think that this was the best story in the Jesse Stone series. The return of " Mr. Peepers" who is a cold-blooded, sadistic killer seeking revenge on Jesse and Suit brought a level of tension not found in the earlier books. Jesse faces many complications. He has stopped drinking and is struggling to stay sober. He has met a woman who he has fallen in love but is unsure of their future. To complicate matters, he experiences mixed emotions about the pending wedding of his ex-wife, Jenn. The reappearance of the evil Mr. Peepers thrusts Jesse into a deadly chess match trying to match move by move with his protagonist. Jesse tries to protect all those he loves and cares for – – unfortunately the ending leaves him devastated as his best laid plans come short.


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