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Book Reviews on Reality Stars
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I just finished reading "A Place of Yes" by Bethenny Frankel with Eve Adamson. A Touchstone book Published by Simon & Schuster, copyright 2011 by BB Endeavors, LLC. The ISBN 978-1-4391-8690-9.
I almost skipped writing a review. It seems to me that if a blogger says anything bad about Bethenny Frankel,well, they pay a heavy price. But, then, I wouldn't be an honest blogger since I said, I was going to read as many of the reality star books as I could and then write what I thought about the book. So, here it goes! The book claims it gives you 10 rules for getting everything you Want Out of Life! Unfortunately, we have all heard a version of Bethenny's 10 rules in some form or shape. I think it is just Bethenny's story wrapped up in "I did it and you can do it too" package. This is Bethenny's trademark. I don't think it is bad,bad but I honestly did not feel Bethenny offered anything new in her book. For instance, Bethenny is clearly in the 'happy'/ early stages of marriage and parenting while writing this book and yet she is offering marriage and parenting advice? Call me cynical but it is hard for me to take her advice when I have been married to one man,for 23 years and I have raised two kids. It is even funnier because Bethenny at one point tells people to ignore other people offering advice and yet her entire book is advice? To me that is the ultimate contradiction. Bethenny even gives an example how she ignored her pediatrician's advice because she is a natural food chef and felt she knew more? I too, have ignored the pediatrician's advice and done something off of 'gut' instinct but I informed the doctor. I explained my reasoning to the doctor and we talked through it. Here is my point, I often wonder about a person who guides others to ignore people who have been in the 'trenches' longer and people who have studied and worked their asses off for their degrees? Then, the same person turns around and writes a self help book? Bethenny wants to provide you with advice just from her life experience? Please tell me you see the contradiction? In the end, the book is Bethenny. I can't say that I hated it because I do like many things about Bethenny. I respect her work ethic. I am thrilled she found her soulmate and she has her little girl. I think Bethenny's story is inspirational on it's own. But, I am not sure she holds any 'secret' on how to do it. Which leads me to question why it is in the 'Self Help' section? In addition, I think we learn from each others stories. I don't agree with all of her advice and a lot of what I read was a repeat of what I have learned about Bethenny from watching the reality shows. I don't like to waste my money on information I already have. As for it being a self help book? Gosh, I can't say that it isn't, Bethenny does her damnedest to use her life experiences and turn them into a lesson but in the end most of what Bethenny says we have all heard over and over again, even Bethenny! Unfortunately, Bethenny pretty much says, Listen to your gut, stop blaming your baggage or history, get off the couch, start making things happen and enjoy life! Not really concrete steps to making your life better. Or new information! It is a feel good book. Oh, and Bethenny knows how to 'play up' to her fans. She sympathizes with their failures and then gives them a pep talk. If you like this kind of cheerleading and you love Bethenny then this book is for you!! Personally, I think if you are fan then you know everything in the book and your first start to saying 'yes to bettering your life' would be to spending your money on something that will truly enhance yourself but I suspect if you are a die hard fan you bought the book! Therefore, I would love to challenge you to be honest with yourself and ask yourself if Bethenny's book really offered you anything NEW about making your life better? In addition, did you learn anything new about Bethenny? In the end my suggestion always comes down to should you buy this book? Only if you have extra money and love Bethenny to death, but then I am sure you already ran out and got the book LOL. If you are on the fence, grab it at a half price book store at some point. WHY? I believe in reading and you can always learn something and who doesn't enjoy a good pep talk?!?! Lucy
Upfront information before I begin reviewing! I feel it is only FAIR and HONEST to inform you UPFRONT that I enjoy Tabatha Coffey and her reality show, Tabatha Salon Takeover. Tabatha Coffey is one of my favorite Reality Television Personalities! I came across her show on Bravo one day and once I watched it I got hooked! Since, then I watch every season and I love to watch Tabatha Salon Takeover marathons on Bravo! Why, am I giving you this information? Because, I believe that my FEELINGS factor into a BOOK REVIEW. It is hard to do an objective book review. Well, unless someone was to hand me a book on something I knew nothing about and then that would make no sense because we don't purchase a book for those reasons. Which leads me to a few other points. I feel the majority of people that will HONESTLY buy Tabatha's book are people who watch her show and people who know her from the hair industry. Oh, and I bet they have caught an episode or two of her show. Therefore, with those variables in mind I will guide my review towards that audience. If you are considering purchasing "It's Not Really About the Hair, tabatha coffey with Richard Buskin" then I am assuming you have an interest in Tabatha Coffey. Either you have watched her show or you have encountered her at some point in your life. I purchased the book from Barnes and Noble (website) after hearing Tabatha Coffey in many interviews stress that the book was about her journey and how she hoped her journey could inspire and empower others. The book's first copyright is 2011, published by HarperCollins Publishers, New York and ISBN 978-0-06-202310-0.
Well, I must tell you I was hooked from the Introduction! Tabatha Coffey has lived an interesting life. BUT, was her book going to be just about her INTERESTING life? Tabatha states at the end of her introduction "As soon as I embraced my own inner bitch, I felt more comfortable with myself. Owning it actually made me feel empowered and how it's all right to be who you are, stand up for what you believe in and do what makes you happy without being defined by other people." Ultimately, for me, I want a book to live up to the INTRODUCTION. Tabatha Coffey's book does. The introduction set the stage. It was quick paced, direct and used Tabatha's life for her to illustrate her points. That is the BOOK in a nutshell. I feel Tabatha uses her life to TEACH her fans. Tabatha is no dummy. She figures it is FANS reading her book. Tabatha wrote like she was having a long chat with a fan. I loved it! I am a teacher at heart and Tabatha Coffey might be a hairdresser BUT she knows how to TEACH. At the end of every chapter Tabatha highlights what she feels the READER NEEDS to take to heart for THEIR OWN LIFE. What is funny, as a former teacher I think AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL kids could benefit greatly from this book. Yeah, I know it is foul mouthed and has some subject matter in it that Principals would NEVER let in the high school curriculum and yet most of us would agree these kids do half the shit and/or hear a lot it! LOL. That is the problem, we shelter our little cherubs the wrong way. Oh, Don't get me started. Back to the book review! I read It's Not Really About the Hair in three hours! If you like Tabatha Coffey you will love her book! If you need a book to help you find your INNER BITCH, grab this book. Tabatha Coffey leads you to YOUR INNER BITCH and she makes it clear it may look completely different than her! I must note that if you are looking for a straight up auto-biography then you will be disappointed. You can tell Tabatha is private and even though she shared a lot and I do mean a lot this is definitely not an auto-biography. In addition, this is not about Tabatha Salon Takeover. Therefore, if you are looking for a bunch of back stories about the Bravo show you will be sorely disappointed. Tabatha says it in her book at the end, "Clearly, a big part of this book has been me encouraging you to get in touch with your inner bitch and a big part of that journey is being honest with yourself and others. I would encourage you to write down your own stories and use the process of writing as a way to be honest with yourself and learn from your experiences." I felt that Tabatha Coffey was trying to be open and communicate with her fans while at the same time teaching and encouraging them to 'go grab their dreams'! In the end I have no problem suggesting someone spend money on It's Not Really About the Hair! Lucy
