{"product_id":"alan-opts-out-9780316599108","title":"Alan Opts Out","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn this timely and comedic take on ambition, consumerism, and the sticker price of privilege, an ad exec who bombs the biggest pitch of his career decides to forgo capitalism and live off the land of his suburban Connecticut home. Perfect for readers of Rufi Thorpe and Taffy Brodesser-Akner.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Alan Anderson is a powerful advertising executive who has built a successful life and thriving business by making people buy stuff they don't actually need. He's up for the biggest pitch of his career and the account \u003ci\u003eeveryone\u003c\/i\u003e wants, US Dairy: cow's milk sales are plummeting, and the C-Suite wants to see trendy oat milk kicked to the curb. But when an anarchist farmer tanks Alan's presentation, Alan bombs the pitch but ends the day with an epiphany. No longer will he exploit the insecurities of others in the service of capitalism. Alan is opting out. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e This development is anathema to his wife, Vivian. She's just a few positive affirmations, a swimming pool, and an exacting series of social tests away from finally becoming part of the elite women's club, the Queen Annes, in their adopted town of Greenwich, Connecticut. As if contending with a daughter who wants to write plays (!) and another who has an unnatural empathy with animals isn't enough to manage, she can only watch as Alan moves into their backyard playhouse to live off the land and--worse--spend time with the family. But instead of shocking the neighbors, Alan's commitment to a less-is-more lifestyle seems to be catching on. Could everyone want what Alan's not selling? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Funny, sexy, intelligent, and poignant, \u003ci\u003eAlan Opts Out\u003c\/i\u003e is the most ambitious novel to date by celebrated author Courtney Maum, acclaimed for her stories that tackle big, chewy subjects of our post-modern America with wit and heart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Courtney Maum\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Little Brown and Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/02\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 352\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.19lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.49h x 6.26w x 1.21d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780316599108\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/13\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2026 pg. 114\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCourtney Maum\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of five previous books, including the romantic comedy \u003ci\u003eTouch\u003c\/i\u003e (\u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eEditors' Choice) about a tech worker's efforts to reclaim her humanity and the memoir \u003ci\u003eThe Year of the Horses \u003c\/i\u003echosen by the \u003ci\u003eToday\u003c\/i\u003e show as one of the best reads for mental health awareness. The author also of the groundbreaking publishing guidebook \u003ci\u003eBefore and After the Book Deal\u003c\/i\u003e and the bestselling Substack newsletter by the same name, Maum is an educator and writing coach helping people hold on to the joy of art making in a culture obsessed with turning artists into brands. In addition to her creative writing, teaching, and advocacy work for writers at the Authors Guild, Maum worked internationally as a brand strategist and corporate namer in the advertising world for twenty years. Learn more and sign up for her writing classes at CourtneyMaum.com. \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Courtney Maum \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":48397124042909,"sku":"9780316599108","price":34.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_7adc6061-1af7-4bec-b4c9-599fb6c31e52.jpg?v=1781073667","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/alan-opts-out-9780316599108","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}