Review: Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV by Brian Stelter

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I’m not a devoted morning news watcher, but ever since I could remember I had always leaned towards The Today Show. I guess it could be because that is what my mom watches. I vividly remember forcing myself to watch Good Morning America years ago because the stars of High School Musical were going to be interviewed. I wasn’t impressed and never watched the show again.

Although I don’t regularly start my day off with Savannah and Hoda or Robin and George, I was still drawn to Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV. And I must admit it was mostly because of the whole situation involving Ann Curry. Unfortunately, Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV was not the book that I had hoped it would be.

It was poorly organized, which made it hard to follow. For example, the book made numerous jumps from Ann Curry to unrelated incidents that had occurred at GMA. Then the book would jump right back to Ann Curry. I would have much rather the book to have a cohesive flow where all the information regarding one particular subject was all grouped together.

Also, there is a such thing as too much detail. Unfortunately, the author utilizes details a little too. The author spends a lot of time comparing and contrasting the ratings war between GMA and Today. I do understand the importance of ratings, especially with the two morning shows, but it was over explained and became annoying. It also became repetitive and boring. The same statistics were repeated numerous times.

Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV portrayed Ann Curry negatively. There were several times were she was mentioned as “awkward” or “lack chemistry”.

It is worth mentioning, it would be interesting to read a book centered on morning news that included the most recent events that have happened.

Final Analysis

Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV  does not provide any riveting content about the two major morning shows.

Review: Saving Me by Sadie Allen

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Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Aly seemed to have it all. She was a track star, she was top ten in her class, she had the right friends and the richest boyfriend, but her life was far from perfect. After an accident that ends her track career Aly decides to take what little control in her life she has...to end it. Luckily her soon to be knight in lip ring and worn band tees steps in and decides that he is going to save her. 

Saving Me is a look into modern day teenage life. It shows the pressures kids are hiding underneath and the ways they try to escape them. It reflects what it is like to be put on a pedestal with no hopes of getting down. By showing how a seemingly perfect child can feel as if there is only one way out, it opens the door to a conversation that you cannot know what is truly going on in someone's life unless you want to know. There is love, loss, growth, and even some humor. This story is a new age 80s movie where the jock is lost and the nerdy group is there to rescue, but with a few twists throughout. 

Overall this is a great YA book. Readers will be hooked, wanting to know what is going to happen to Aly. Will she really be saved? Be sure to read it and find out. 

Review: The Fox Hunt by Mohammed Al Samawi

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I don’t even know where to begin with a book like this. It is relevant, especially considering what is happening right now. It is needed. It is one of many silence voices that deserves to be heard. When conversations arise about the Middle East, I’m sure for many, stereotypes surface and presumptions about the people are spoken generally. What’s sad is not everyone is bad or has hate in their heart. For those who try to bridge the gap between cultures for a better world, we never hear about them. In a region where religious affiliations and cultural divide are prominent and tumultuous, anyone who risks their life by trying to stand up and fight for interfaith relationships is worth talking about. It takes a village but as the tagline sums up so perfectly, The Fox Hunt is “four strangers, three faiths and one extraordinary escape to freedom.” 

I’ll admit, I was expecting a different kind of book. The more I read, the more I was drawn into a world that I had no idea existed. Yes, I follow the news and know that for a long time, that region of the world fought internally against each other but everyone has a story and Mohammed’s was so compelling. Reading a perspective of someone who’s life was caught in the middle, gave a voice to a vague reality that puts life in perspective. 

Mohammed is someone who was brought up in a culture that was taught to hate other groups with a long list of reasons to support it. Then one day, Mohammed was challenged to a promise by a friend to read a bible, something that conflicted with his life, culture and religion. It opened his heart and mind to learn more about the people he was taught to hate. Secretly asking questions, attending social groups, he put himself in danger and his family but it led him on path that changed his life more than words could ever describe. 

Overall, this was really an inspiring and empowering read. Not just because of him but for the people who put themselves on the line to help him. What a great example of humanitarianism.. It really opened my heart and mind to that area of the world to see a perspective through the eyes of someone who has suffered so much but lived to tell about it. Here’s someone who had a disability from childhood that limited him to an extent physically but never allowed it to be an obstacle. Even when he got death threats and his life was in danger, he kept trying to do the impossible because he wanted to be a voice for change. 

Beyond his story, he is very thorough with the geographic and cultural details which really helps the reader understand the significance of the what was happening. I’m glad I read this because it makes me appreciate the life that I have and the freedom that comes with it. I highly recommend taking a chance to experience his story. You should add this to the tbr pile! 

Review: The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

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Nothing is more sweeter in a life than getting a chance to start again, especially when it’s not to late. The Heart Between Us was a sweet, fun journey that really grabs your heart and makes you appreciate life an not to take it for granted. The book deals with second chances, mending broken relationships and searching for answers that only life seems to give at the most unexpected moments.

The Heart Between Us, shares the memorable journey of how Megan, a transplant recipient gets a new heart and a chance to live life in a way that she hadn’t been able to do before. The problem was she was struggling with trying to live her new life. A reunion at a hospital fundraiser with the only person who can really understand what she went through, Caleb, inspired the idea that for many donors transitioning into this new life, meeting the families might jump start her new life. Hesitant, she reached out to her donor’s family and was taken back by their warm reception and discovery of their Amanda’s final wish.

Similar to her own aspirations, Amanda had a bucket list to go around the world. Before she could even think about, she agreed to do this as a way to get to know the person better who gave her new life. One problem, she couldn’t do it alone. Even though she hasn’t seen or spoken to her sister, she thought this would be the perfect opportunity to connect. I’ll let you read their backstory to understand what happened between them. Little did they know how life works in mysterious ways. We not only get to follow their journey of fulfilling a dying girl’s dream but also see them find their purpose to keep living.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Life is so short and having a chance to mend a relationship with someone before it’s too late is probably the greatest burden lifted but gives you a chance to share your life with the ones you love. You can tell the author put her heart into the characters because of the depth of their transitions in their relationships and overcoming their obstacles really resonate with you. The familial estrangements, the marital problems, overcoming fears, finding love and purpose are just some of the plot points that will keep you engaged. The journey between the two sisters completely that bucket list will make you laugh at moments and hopefully appreciate their experience as it unfolds. I am recommending you add this to your TBR list! 

Review: Elite by Carrie Aarons

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Buy Amazon

Buy Amazon

Elite is about a girl named who Eloise who leaves her privileged life in London to attend university in the United States. While in the US, she meets the star of the university’s basketball team, Colton Rieter, and even is invited to join a mysterious sorority, Unbeknownst, to her, Colton is involved in some shady business.

I enjoyed myself while reading Elite. It is not a perfect book by any means, there were a few moments where I was left confused or frustrated. And I wouldn’t say that this is book that I loved. However, it was an enjoyable read with a few unexpected surprises.

The banter between Eloise and Colton was outstanding. It was hard to deny the chemistry between these two characters. And both main characters were intriguing with a solid background story. I especially liked how they had relatable motives and did not see things in black and white. For example, Colton’s huge secret. Although it was illegal and could ruin his future, he was doing what he felt that he had to do. He had a strong motive for doing it; and it was not something that he enjoyed doing. He felt guilty and understood the consequences.  

In the beginning, I thought the pace was appropriate. However, I will note that towards the end it felt rushed. There were two time jumps that felt unnecessary, and made it seem that things were unresolved and if things were resolved they were mentioned briefly.

Final Analysis

Elite is filled with angst, romance, and unexpected moments. There are moments where you could get confused or scratch your head, but all and all, it’s a decent book.

Review: Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty

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Three Wishes is not my favorite book by Liane Moriarty. Nevertheless, it is a good book that I was deeply committed and engaged it. Three Wishes follows the lives of 33 year old triplets- Lyn, Cat and Gemma Kettle. Cat has recently discovered a secret about her marriage. Lyn is dealing with a step-daughter, baby, and internal struggles. And Gemma’s relationship never seems to last after the six month mark. The book explores the lives of the three sisters through laughter, heartbreak, and happiness. The center themes in this book are marriage, family and children.

Like all of Liane Moriarty’s book, Three Wishes had a mellow and easy flow. It felt conversational and quirky.  Although simple, the writing packed a punch with dark undertones. It was never predictable or repetitive.

The story was told through multiple perspectives. And because all of the sisters were unique it was never hard to guess which POV I was in. It was interesting to see how the sisters interacted with each other. They didn’t always play fair or even agree with one another, but somehow in the end they always supported each other. It felt like a true sisterhood that featured the good and the bad.

I think one of my favorite things about Three Wishes is that it featured passages from onlookers- those who had encountered the sisters over the years. So in addition to getting an insider look at the family, you get to see the family from another angle which was interesting. And it made me think about how many people who I have encountered on the street that may not have impacted me but I had impacted them in a way that made our small encounter memorial.

Like mentioned earlier, Three Wishes is not my favorite book by Laine Moriarty. The ending was not as strong as I had hoped. I would have much rather had a definite ending for Cat like her sisters had gotten.

Final Analysis

Three Wishes is a funny and lovable tale about three sisters who are dealing with life in the best way they can. It features strong relatable characters and quirky narrative.