Monday, May 4, 2009

Fire Me - Libby Malin


Put Fire Me by Libby Malin on your summer reading list. Newly released from Sourcebooks, this is perfect beach bag chick lit!

The Burnham Group provides consulting, lectures and it's latest venture - ' camps' for management teams to work on trust issues among it's services.

Anne Wyatt works at the Burnham Group and was in a relationship with CEO Mitch Burnham. She heads to the office on Pizazz Day (another team building exercise) to hand in her resignation and move on with her life.

But before she can do that, Mitch announces that they need to tighten their belt a bit and he needs to let a staff member go. However, he will be fair and that person will get a generous severance package. Well, Anne could use that severance money. The problem is that a few other people in the office could as well. Sheila and Ken were planning on leaving as well. The money would be an added bonus. Ken was last hired, so he feels pretty confident it will be him let go. But Anne and Sheila are taking no chances......

The entire book takes place over the course of that day in the office. Anne and Sheila do their best to become the worst employee ever, with absolutely hilarious results. It begins with simple things, jamming the copier, bad coffee, loud music and progresses to TV parties, gifts for everyone and completely inappropriate behaviour in an office. Sheila is a formidable competitor though as their efforts to outdo each other escalates. I had to check if Malin had ever worked in an office (she has) as her descriptions of office antics and politics had me laughing out loud. Each chapter begins with excerpts of wisdom from Mitch that are oh so clever! I saw past managers flash before my eyes. (If you like the television show The Office, you will appreciate the office antics in Fire Me)

With nothing left to lose, Anne begins to see her life with newly opened eyes. Is she really happy? And what about that Ken - he is sweet and nice looking, maybe.... And Sheila, why didn't she ever talk to her before this? The closer the end of the day and the decision comes, the freer Anne feels.

Who gets fired? I'm not telling!

Malin has written a light-hearted romp of a book. The race to be fired is the part I enjoyed the most. The romantic and self discovery elements are there, but play a smaller part. I found this to be a quick, fun read. Libby's website mentions that Fire Me has been optioned for a film. I think it would make a great comedy.

Read an excerpt of Fire Me.

Make sure to stop by A Bookworm's World on Monday May 11 - Libby Malin will be guest posting!!

12 comments:

Kaye said...

Sounds like a really fun book! I'm going to have to put that one on the never ending list. have a good week, Luanne.

Darlene said...

lol-This does sound like a fun book. I've been seeing a few reviews around lately. I'm not sure I can afford to add another book to the pile but I may have to.

bermudaonion said...

That does sound like the perfect beach read. Now if I can only make it to the beach.

Sharon said...

OOOOOOHHH! I just bought this one! Can't wait.

Jeanne said...

Sounds like a good summer book--sometimes I don't want too much perspective on the office when I'm still in and out of it (and as an academic, I'm more out than in during the first part of the summer).

Toni said...

I need a beach trip and for some reason I am craving chick lit or flicks. Thanks for the recommendation.

Mishel (P.S. I Love Books) said...

This sounds like a lot of fun!! I'll definitely be picking myself up a copy.

Anna said...

Now this sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Esme said...

This sounds like a fun summer read.

Dr. Mary Kennedy said...

Libby, this sounds terrific, can't wait to get a copy. mary kennedy

Esme said...

This sounds great.

Wrighty said...

Great review! I've been seeing this a lot too and it sounds like the perfect summer read. I'm going to look for this one and add it to the towering pile of books I want to read. Glad to hear you liked it. :)