Edward Klein - Katie: The Real Story

43. Katie: The Real Story by Edward Klein (2007)
Length: 278 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started: 1 April 2014
Finished: 5 April 2014
Where did it come from? From Paperback Swap
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 3 March 2014
Why do I have it? I like non-fiction and Edward Klein is a new author for me.

For the past twenty-five years - initially as the perky and spirited host of the 'Today' show, then as the only woman ever to anchor a network news program solo - Katie Couric has been a familiar visitor into millions of homes all across America. Yet, despite all her public exposure, no one - until now - has been able to penetrate the shield of her closely guarded personal life - to reveal her secrets and her struggles in the cutthroat world of television news.

In this stunning portrait of America's queen of news, bestselling author Edward Klein rips away the mask that has hidden the many faces of Katie Couric: the strong, independent woman and the needy wife and lover; the grieving widow famed for her kindness toward others and the fiercely competitive diva; the consummate television interviewer and the stumbling network anchor.

Drawing on scores of interviews of people who have never spoken openly about Katie before, Katie: The Real Story chronicles her meteoric rise to the top - from her early days at CNN and local television stations (where she was told she would never succeed) to her phenomenal fifteen-year run on 'Today'. For the first time, the author reveals the critical role Katie's father played in her risky decision to leave 'Today' for the hallowed anchor chair once occupied by Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather.

What is made clear in this book, is that Katie's road to stardom has been paved by a series of rocky personal relationships: a turbulent marriage to Jay Monahan, who died of colon cancer; testy associations with her 'Today' cohosts Bryant Gumbel and Matt Lauer; and several star-crossed love affairs, including one with a man seventeen years her junior.

Katie: The Real Story by Edward Klein is a candid portrait of a folksy, charming woman, a loving single mother, cunning business woman, feminist icon and notorious diva. It is a remarkably insightful, honest and unflinching look at an exceptional woman and the media kingdom she sought to rule.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, it was an excellent and intriguing portrait of the perils of show business. It was very interesting and certainly opened my eyes to a side of Katie Couric that is rarely seen by the public. I give Katie: The Real Story by Edward Klein an A+! and am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Introducing Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash!

I was delighted to learn recently that four books by Michael Phillip Cash have recently won several awards! Congratulations on such a great achievement, Mr. Cash - it is certainly well-deserved. I have had the pleasure of reading three of Mr. Cash's books, and my daughter Mareena is currently reading his fourth award winner - Schism: The Battle For Darracia. For the next four Fridays, I will be highlighting all of Mr. Cash's award-winning books - and once again, I wish him my heartiest congratulations on such a wonderful achievement!

I had the pleasure of reading Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash back in July of 2013, and must admit that this is still my favorite book by this author. Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash was a Finalist for the Foreword Review's Book of the Year Award of 2013 in the Horror Category, and also received an Honorable Mention for the Rebecca's Reads Readers Choice Awards of 2013 in the General Fiction Category.

Meet Michael Phillip Cash

Michael Phillip Cash is an award winning and best selling author of horror, paranormal, and science fiction novels. Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island, The Hanging Tree, and Schism: The Battle For Darracia have all been named to Foreward Review's Book of the Year Awards. Michael currently resides on Long Island with his wife and children.

Connect and Socialize with Michael!

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter

Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island by Michael Phillip Cash (2013)

Length: 232 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island Blurb: 

Paul Russo’s wife just died. While trying to get his family’s life back in order, Paul is being tormented by a demon who is holding his wife's spirit hostage on the other side. His fate is intertwined with an old haunted mansion on the north shore of Long Island called Stillwell Manor. Paul must find clues dating back hundreds of years to set his wife's soul free.

Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island Book Trailer:

 

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Carole P. Roman - The If You Were Me and Lived In...Series

36-42. The If You Were Me and Lived In...Series by Carole P. Roman (2013-2014)
The If You Were Me and Lived In...Series Books 1-7 (If You Were Me and Lived In...Mexico; If You Were Me and Lived In...France; If You Were Me and Lived In...South Korea; If You Were Me and Lived In...Turkey; If You Were Me and Lived In...Kenya; If You Were Me and Lived In...Norway; If You Were Me and Lived In...India)
Length: 194 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started/Finished: 2 April 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Red Feather Publishing for sending me copies of these books to read.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 April 2014
Why do I have it? Actually, Red Feather Publishing was kind enough to send me several books to read. Occasionally, I enjoy reading children's books and I have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past. 

This exciting new children's series written by Carole P. Roman, focuses on learning about and appreciating the many cultures that make up our small planet. Interesting facts and colorful illustrations help children to realize that although the world is large, people all over the globe are basically the same. Perfect for children from Pre-K to age eight.

I enjoyed reading this series, myself. In my opinion, each book teaches children about new cultures effortlessly - in a way that is entertaining and fully captures a child's attention. I give the whole series a definite A+! 

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Carole P. Roman - The Captain No Beard Series

31-35. The Captain No Beard Series by Carole P. Roman (2012-2014) 
The Captain No Beard Series Books 1-5 (Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life; Pepper Parrot's Problem With Patience; Stuck in the Doldrums: A Lesson in Sharing; Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas; The Treasure of Snake Island: A Captain No Beard Story)
Length: 184 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started/Finished: 2 April 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Red Feather Publishing for sending me copies of these books to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 April 2014
Why do I have it? Actually, Red Feather Publishing was kind enough to send me several books to read. Occasionally, I enjoy reading children's books and I have read and enjoyed I Want to do Yoga Too by the same author in the past.

Whenever Alexander and his cousin Hallie hop on Alexander's bed to play, they become Captain No Beard and his fearless pirate crew of 'The Flying Dragon'. They set sail for a voyage of imagination as First Mate Hallie, Mongo the Monkey, Linus the loudmouthed lion, and Fribbet the floppy frog - who are in reality, three stuffed animals. Together, Alexander and Hallie sail the seven seas in a magical vessel bound for dangerous and exciting adventures. 

I must say that I enjoyed reading these books. They were quick reads for me and overall, I would give the entire series an A+! In my opinion, this series would make a great gift for children. Each book teaches children valuable lessons such as patience and tolerance; sharing; responsibility and cooperation; being a good friend and what to do when meeting strangers.

A+! - (96-100%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Carole P. Roman - I Want to do Yoga Too

30. I Want to do Yoga Too by Carole P. Roman (2012)
Length: 24 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started/Finished: 2 April 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Red Feather Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 April 2014
Why do I have it? Actually, Red Feather Publishing was kind enough to send me several books to read. Occasionally, I enjoy reading children's books and Carole P. Roman is a new author for me.

Hallie always loves to do what Mommy does. One day, she and mommy go to the yoga studio and Hallie is excited to join her mommy's yoga class. However, Mommy tells her that she isn't allowed. Hallie is upset, so she complains to the babysitter, who then gently guides her through four yoga poses. Hallie learns that not only is yoga easy, but fun as well.

I must say that I enjoyed this book. As with all of Carole P. Roman's children's books that I've read, I found that the illustrations were colorful and eye-catching. I also appreciated that Ms. Roman's books teach children about subjects in a way that is fun, engaging, and easy for them to understand. I give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Anne Tyler - The Tin Can Tree

29. The Tin Can Tree by Anne Tyler (1965)
Length: 188 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Started: 29 March 2014
Finished: 1 April 2014
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 3 February 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

In the small town of Larksville, the Pike family is in the midst of terrible crisis. They are hopelessly out of step with the rhythms of daily life after the tragic, accidental death of six-year-old Janie Rose. Janie Rose's absence is keenly felt by everyone and her family will never be whole again.

Lou - Janie's mother - blames herself for her daughter's death, and so has retreated into her own private world of grief. She seldom speaks to those around her and is barely aware of her surroundings. Roy - Janie's father - has been forced to emerge from his many years of long, comfortable silence. Janie's ten-year-old brother, Simon, is suddenly without his baby sister or any proper understanding of why she's gone.

Those closest to this shattered family must learn to comfort them - as well as confront their own private shadows of hidden grief. If time cannot draw them out of the dark, and thus foster any expectation of creating a meaningful future, then love just may be their only hope...

In my opinion, this was a gripping story. The plot was thoroughly engrossing and I was completely captured from the first page. I wanted to see how each character would cope with their grief. I give this book an A!

As I may have said before, I think that Ms. Tyler is an excellent writer. Those books of hers that I've read, have been filled with characters that you can't help but care for, going through circumstances that are absolutely plausible. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A! - (90-95%)
   
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Reading Wrap-up For March at Moonshine and Rosefire

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out March with 928 unread books lying around the house and ended the month with 920 books unread. All the books that I acquired this month came from Bookmooch, Paperback Swap and authors.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Rereads

- My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Changes to the TBR pile

Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- Put Yer Rosary Beads Away Ma: A Salty Tale of a Young Man's Musical Dreams and Struggles in 1970's Ireland by Cahal Dunne
- Class Reunion by Rona Jaffe
- The Rose and the Yew Tree by Mary Westmacott
- Earthly Possessions by Anne Tyler
- The Scapegoat/The Last Angry Man/The Muses Are Heard/The Fruit Tramp/The Enemy Below by Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Volume 2 1957
- A Slipping-Down Life by Anne Tyler
- Ashenden: A Novel by Elizabeth Wilhide

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! Not too bad though, I suppose:))
- Put Yer Rosary Beads Away Ma: A Salty Tale of a Young Man's Musical Dreams and Struggles in 1970's Ireland by Cahal Dunne (4 copies)
- Katie: The Real Story by Edward Klein
- Jamaica Inn Daphne du Maurier
- The Scapegoat/The Last Angry Man/The Muses Are Heard/The Fruit Tramp/The Enemy Below by Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Volume 2 1957
- Mommy's a Mole: Unraveling the Joan Webster Murder and Other Secrets in a CIA Family by Eve Carson
- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - The Official Companion Book by Madison Press

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :)) 
- The Affair: A Novel by Alicia Clifford
- Lost Souls by Michael Collins
- The Firm by John Grisham
- The Hope: A Novel by Herman Wouk
- The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh
- To Turn the Tide by John F. Kennedy
- Paige by Paige: A Year of Trading Spaces by Paige Davis
- Time is a River: A Novel by Mary Alice Monroe
- Put Yer Rosary Beads Away Ma: A Salty Tale of a Young Man's Musical Dreams and Struggles in 1970's Ireland by Cahal Dunne (2 copies)
- Disobedience by Jane Hamilton
- The Red Scream: A Novel of Suspense by Mary Willis Walker
- Cruel Doubt by Joe McGinniss
- James Connolly: 'A Full Life' by Donal Nevin

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 8 
Pages Read: 2,163
Grade Range: A+! to A!

So, there you go! The reading month that was March. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight