Kbrooks' Biography Reviews
Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer and Kathie Lee
by Hoda Kotb
This was really entertaining book. Nothing earth shattering, just the story of Hoda's funny life with very bad hair, and things that have helped her to arrive where she is today as co-host of the 4th hour of the Today show. Her book is a delight and easy reading. If you are looking for somthing fun to read, this one is for you. I give it *** out of five stars.
Through the Storm
by Lynne Spears
If you ever wondered what goes on in the life of a pop star, this book quenches thirst. Much of the book is about setting the record straight for mother and daughter. The book reads like a personal letter to her children at times. If you are a fan of Brittany Spears you will love all of the inside information. Fascinating read. I give it *** out of five stars.
Finding it: And Satisfying my Hunger for Life Without Opening
the Fridge
by Valerie Bertinelli
This is a continuation of her weight loss story. In it she attempts to analyze why she eats and how she can maintain the weight loss. She explores her relationships with people and how she deals with stress as causes for her binges with food. At least this time she does not concentrate on her relationship and adoration for Wolfie (her son.) Although a good read this book could have been stated in a couple of sentences. She loves to eat, in good times and in bad times and she hates to exercize and run. So she gains weight. Oh yeah, she loves her son. If you like Valerie, you will like the book, if you are not a fan you will probably not finish it. I give it ** out of five stars.
Candyland
by Candy Spelling
Marica, Marcia Marcia is all grown up. If you think this book will be a "goody-two- shoe" novel of a brady kid, think again. It is hard to put this book down. It is about the trials of Maureen McCormick before, during and after the Brady Bunch. Her mother and grandmother both had mental issues and she was afraid that they were hereditary. She briefly talks about her romance with the actor who played Greg. After the Brady Bunch finished taping for good, it was very difficult for Maureen to get other parts, she had been typecast. She did have many small roles on Love Boat and a few other shows in the seventies. She also began experimenting with drugs, lots of drugs. Cocaine was her drug of choice. She would go the reherssals stoned and many times the directors would just look the other way. This is a story of survival and it is unexpectantly very good. I give it **** out of five stars.
Audition
by Barbara Walters
Barbara Walters has interviewed presidents, world leaders, Oscar and Emmy worthy actors, singers and notorious characters during her illustrious career. She has married and dated men who were movers and shakers and has won interviews with Fidel Castro and Anwar Sadat. As a journalist Barbara won, but on a personal level she sometimes lost. She lost with her father, her mother, her sister and later her daughter. While Barbara was away making a life for herself, her family was struggling with many issues. Although Barabara cared about all of them, and supported them financially as much as she could, emotionally she was absent. She regretted not being there when each of her family members died. She was away working. Her heart seems to have been in the right place. This had to be painful to write about, because to most people no matter the financial success, family is really all that matters. One really disturbing part for me was when she was about to move in Merv (her soon-to-be husband) she had no clue what to do with her daughter Jackie for the summer. She found a residental summer camp for her so she could have more time with her new lover. She found nothng wrong with that. All in all this is a really good book. If you are a US history buff you will really love it. I give it **** out of five stars.
The Legs are the Last to Go
by Dianhann Caroll
Julia is a senior citizen now, in her early seventies, but as feisty as ever. From her couture clothing, to her extravagant homes and cars, she spins a tale right out of old Hollywood. A movie or stage buff will really enjoy this ride down memory lane to the days of the big bands, big hair and exquisite gowns of orchestrated performances. Ms. Caroll gave up much to become the mega star that she became, including being the mother that she really wanted to be. Her borderline strange with her mother takes up most of the pages but she does devote one chapter to both her father and daughter. Deep down Ms. Caroll is more regular than diva. But she realizes she is a brand and she is always on and selling. Great read! I give it *** out of four stars.
Celebrity Detox
by Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie, Rosie, Rosie. This book should be entitled "A Letter to Barbara." Although this book is very entertaining and a quick read, it probably will not answer any questions that one might have about what went on behind the scene at "The View." Most of the book tells her side of the story of what we already knew. As always, Rosie is funny, witty and very open about the way she was treated and how she felt betrayed first by her mother, and then by her mother substitute, Barbara Walters. The fight between Donald Trump is mentioned but not her big blowup with Elizabeth which is probably why many people bought the book. All in all, it is a good read and will garner many laughs. I give it ** out of five stars.
Stori Telling
by Tori Spelling
If you think you know all there is to know about Tori Spelling, the daughter of the late producer Aaron Spelling, then you will be pleasantly surprised with this book. She is funny, smart , witty and very open. She seems rather normal considering the life she has lead. She openly talks about fights with her mother, her fathers lack of emotional attachment, her failed marriages and relationships, her 90210 co-stars, her auditions, Farrah Fawcett, her weddings, her infidelity and finally finding her prince charming. If there is a theme to the book, or her life it would be when things look like they are going to work out, something else comes along to spoil it. We can all relate to that. Great book! I give it **** out of five stars.
Confessions of a Video Vixen
by Karrine Steffans
Karrine Steffans starts her career as a music video dancer. She is very pretty and has a body to match, which some music video stars quickly take notice. What starts out as infactuation with these famous men, turns into a bad reputation for her. Many famous celebrities, including rappers, singers and sports heros begin spending time with her and helping to support her and her young son. She ends up with the nickname "superhead" which describes the sexual act that she is often asked to perform. As you read her own words, your heart goes out to her because it is apparent that she is a very intelligent young lady, but due to life circumstances, she leads a survivor's lifestyle. I give it ** out of three stars.
Life with my Sister Madonna
By Christopher Ciccone
Christopher Ciconne has written a very personal and up close look at one of pop music's most celebrated performers, his siter Madonna. As her dresser, and later her tour director, Christopher tells about the mood swings, the idiosyncrasies and other things that Madonna would probably not want the whole world to know about. The book takes on an angry tone in many areas and it is hard to separate his anger at his sister from what actually happened. Christopher seems to be talented in many areas, but compared to his sister it seems he can never shine as bright. Madonna seems eccentric in his dipiction of her, however, you can also feel his admiration for her as he tells their story. I give it *** out of five stars.
I'm Just a DJ, But...
by Tom Joiner
Tom Joyner will surprise you with this book. He reveals his past and future desires in this short but sweet journey into his personal life. The roads he traveled were not always paved with gold. There were hard times and missteps, but through it all he never compromised his integrity or his desire to help his people. He opens up about his family, his weight, his crew and his experiences with HBCU's. Whether it was flying back and forth between two cities daily, or boycotting a white radio station, Tom Joyner did it with class, dignity and always had his eye on the larger picture. The more money he made, the more he could help his people. I give it *** out of four stars.
Wendys Got the Heat
by Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams' book takes a look at her rise as a radio personality. She is candid about her drug addiction and her struggles with her husband. However, the book just touches the surface and although she alludes to celebrity romantic encounters, she never releases any names, thus keeping the reader in suspense. If you loved Wendy before reading this book, you will still love her. However, if you read it to discover her, you may be left with more questions than answers. I give it ** out of three stars.
Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones
by Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones describes his childhood as rough. His schizophrenic mother and the rough streets of Chicago are within these pages for all to see. Although this is a autobiography, some chapters are written by others, such as Jones' ex-wife Peggy Lipton. This memoir reads like a comprehensive music history textbook and the only thing that does not turn into gold as Jones touch it, is his family relationships. Although he is a musical genius and loved by the world over, he struggles with finding the emotional connections with the people closest to him. This is a must read for all jazz enthusiast. I give it **** out of five stars.