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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I wanted to like this more, and it's surreal and fascinating, in a good way, to relive some of the biggest moments in news/ history, but from the much-different-than-mine perspective of Katie Couric, but this didn't make me feel the feels. Sometimes it seemed like Couric was being conservative in her coverage of her own life, as if she didn't want to be too controversial or unlikable. Likely in part because she has so much time and breadth to cover, but I felt like I was glossing on the surface, as well as bouncing between the personal and professional. That said, I still found it interesting to hear about the ups and downs, and the behind-the-scenes, of Couric's life as a woman making her way in a male-dominated field, trying to walk the narrow path of being herself yet acting pragmatically and opportunistically when necessary.
P.S. I think that one of the reasons why this didn't resonate more with me was due to the fact that Katie Couric is an affluent white woman. While I realize that there are, and have been, many white women who have pushed for gender equality, this couldn't help but feel as though it was missing something to me because it lacked intersectional analysis.
P.P.S. I wish that Katie Couric and/or her editors would've removed her usage of the ableist terms "tone deaf," "blindsided," and "wheelchair-bound." The first two terms appeared multiple times in the book.
P.S. I think that one of the reasons why this didn't resonate more with me was due to the fact that Katie Couric is an affluent white woman. While I realize that there are, and have been, many white women who have pushed for gender equality, this couldn't help but feel as though it was missing something to me because it lacked intersectional analysis.
P.P.S. I wish that Katie Couric and/or her editors would've removed her usage of the ableist terms "tone deaf," "blindsided," and "wheelchair-bound." The first two terms appeared multiple times in the book.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Couric has had a fascinating life and doesn't shy away from her ups or downs. She is very real and it seems no stone is left unturned and she doesn't portray herself as a darling at all but a real human woman, good and bad, and what she learned. Also, it's wild to see how much has happened in her career which covers my life span and how much hard news has happened.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Whew! Ninety-nine chapters completed! For the effort Katie put forth in her memoir, she deserves to receive at least three stars. For the effort I put in for ninety-nine chapters, I deserve to keep one of those stars for myself. I settled on four!
Katie is both a smart and an exceptional journalist. She also discloses more information than I needed to read. If the reader wants salacious details, this is a good read. If someone wants serious perspectives on news, this is a good read. I’m just not certain we should be reading the two in the same book. Am I glad I invested the time? Yes. Will I be quoting it in my classes? Probably not.
On a good note, I do love that Katie reminds the reader to be thankful for the opportunity to age. On this point, she is wise!
Katie is both a smart and an exceptional journalist. She also discloses more information than I needed to read. If the reader wants salacious details, this is a good read. If someone wants serious perspectives on news, this is a good read. I’m just not certain we should be reading the two in the same book. Am I glad I invested the time? Yes. Will I be quoting it in my classes? Probably not.
On a good note, I do love that Katie reminds the reader to be thankful for the opportunity to age. On this point, she is wise!
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
fast-paced
She’s an excellent writer and I enjoyed reading her story of her life. Plus, short chapters (my fave)! The book is aptly titled, but personally I think there were a few moments where she shared information that felt like a little too much. I appreciated how reflective she was and open about sharing when she felt she would’ve done things differently if she had the chance. At a hefty 488 pages it still managed to be a quick read.
Katie Couric, an American Television Journalist is seemingly unaware of how she comes across in this tepid memoir. A few pages in, and Couric writes of Helen Thomas; "I spotted legendary Helen Thomas in the front row looking like a harried housewife in a sea of men." It's this depiction of Helen Thomas, who was a legend as the 1st female member of the White House Press Corps that sets the tone of this memoir. This was only the beginning of how Couric views women of power, women who are not her.
Her description of Jane Pauley fares even worse as she writes, "I even loved her assorted hairstyles, including the ponytail that draped over her that looked like a squirrel's tale."
Conversely, she is sympathetic in the descriptions of her male coworkers. Of Matt Lauer she writes that he could charm the pants off of people. It's this level of nescience or unawareness that is most appalling. IF Katie Couric were more aware, perhaps she might not consistently blame others for her lack of continued professional success.
* I read an advance copy and was not compensated
Her description of Jane Pauley fares even worse as she writes, "I even loved her assorted hairstyles, including the ponytail that draped over her that looked like a squirrel's tale."
Conversely, she is sympathetic in the descriptions of her male coworkers. Of Matt Lauer she writes that he could charm the pants off of people. It's this level of nescience or unawareness that is most appalling. IF Katie Couric were more aware, perhaps she might not consistently blame others for her lack of continued professional success.
* I read an advance copy and was not compensated