The Anti 9 to 5 Guide

January 1, 2007
Snappy and practical, this guide to quitting your job at the "e-mail-saturated, meeting-happy cube farm" will prove indispensable to any young professional itching to strike out on her own. Goodman, a successful freelance writer, aims her book at women between 25 and 35, but young men will likely find her advice (always send a thank you note after an informational interview; play it cool if you snort coffee out your nose) just as relevant. From "sussing out the gigs" to guidance on taxes and health insurance to battling "the inertia that binds one's derriere to the sofa like a tongue to a frozen flagpole," Goodman covers all the aspects of going solo. A "Show Me the Money" section at the end of each chapter gives readers money-saving tips (eat all the food in your fridge before it "liquefies or grows spores"), and checklists covering steps readers must take before becoming self-employed. Goodman's advice is applicable to a broad range of careers, though the non-profit and international travel chapters are useful primarily for pointing to other, more in-depth sources. Goodman's tone is realistic-taking into account the obstacles facing a generation burdened early by debt-but she retains a sense of humor, making this information-dense guide an encouraging, buoyant lifesaver.

February 15, 2007
Freelance editor and writer Goodman draws on her decade's worth of self-employed experiences and mistakes in this collection of practical suggestions and entrepreneurial tips for women trying to "flee the cube." Chapters are divided by thematic section, complete with quotes from other self-employed women and references to other books, and conclude with a short "Action Plan" and three- to five-item checklists culled from the text. While Goodman's tone and word choice are often a bit saucy, the first six chapters offer solid, if not overly detailed, suggestions for breaking into one's dream field, combining full-time and part-time gigs, working at home, and being in charge of one's own scheduling and bookkeeping. The final two chapters, although somewhat randomly placed, nonetheless furnish concrete advice for setting up one's own nonprofit organization and finding work that includes travel. Appendixes provide information on negotiating and doing temp work, and the bibliography lists business, legal, and financial titles for "fempreneurs." The result is both inspiring and grounded and has much to offer for its reasonable price. Although some information would benefit readers of either gender, the tone and approach will likely receive the best response from its intended audience. Recommended for all public libraries.Sarah Statz Cords, Madison P.L., WI

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2007
In a practical guide for young women who are ready to abandon their cubicles and carve out their own dreams, Goodman offers tools and tips for joining the DIY career club. Echoing many career-advice books, Goodman focuses on defining what your passion is and then mapping out a series of transition plans to get from cubicle to dream job. The book is most appropriate for women early in their careers who have not invested much time or energy on a serious career path. Her recommendations for freelancing, temping, part-time work, and lots of career exploration speak to a woman who has not yet found her calling. How-to sections on networking, deciding about additional schooling, resume preparation, and information interviewing are most appropriate for the younger worker still figuring out her career path.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)