hoda kotb

Congratulations to Mona from Connecticut for being the winner of February’s giveaway!  I used random.org to pick a winner from the author of every comment that was made to pleasure in simple things during the month of February.   Mona will receive a signed copy of Ayad Akhtar’s debut novel American Dervish.  It is a wonderful read and I know you will enjoy it!

For the March giveaway, I will be sending a lucky winner a signed copy of Hoda Kotb’s New York Times bestselling novel  Hoda:  How I survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee.  New York Times bestselling author Adriana Triginai had this to say about Hoda’s book:  “Hoda Kotb is a wonderful storyteller.  Hilarious, honest, and inspiring, you will marvel as she describes her family’s roots in Egypt and their American sojourn, which leads her to the career of her dreams.  This book is a manual for overcoming obstacles and living life with passion and purpose.  I loved it.  Hoda is the working girl’s Cleopatra.  She rules!”

Like many women that work outside of the home, I have never seen the the “Today” show hosted by Kathie Lee and Hoda.  The only thing I actually know about the show is the controversy over the hosts drinking wine during the show.  And, I do know Hoda is a cancer survivor.  I also know that she started out as a newscaster.

When I saw that the Wilton, Connecticut library was hosting Hoda, I decided to check it out and learn a little more about this newscaster turned controversial talk show host.

It ended up being a very enjoyable evening…Hoda was everything you would imagine a talk show host to be…very enthusiastic and engaging.  In a light-hearted way, she told a detailed account of the almost thirty rejections she received before she landed her first job as a newscaster…saying,  “it only takes one.”  Even when she brought up the fact that she survived both cancer and divorce in the same year; her positive attitude was infectious.

I know you will enjoy this charming memoir by Hoda Kotb in this month’s giveaway.  Good luck!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of your weekend, Jackie