Saturday, November 26, 2016

Settle For More, and More: Book Review







Settle for More
Megyn Kelly

My own copy



I didn't have any idea who Megyn Kelly is until the presidential campaign of 2016. She is a woman not to be wrestled with. She is feisty, hard nosed, and very competitive. This is how you see her on Fox News on the Kelly Files.

The memoir, Settle for More gives you a bit more depth of her growing up. It gives you intimate details of her life story. I don't know if I would share some of the very intimate feelings she shares. Some of the book comes off as a "self help", and a bit preachy. The reason I purchased the book was because of the presidential campaign. I was curious. There is not much about it only about a chapter or two.

I am really not sure why she wrote the memoir she is still young( 45 years old). She still has a lot more to say I am sure as her years continue. I don't usually read memoirs so that may be my issue. Usually author's of memoirs have contributed something. Megyn Kelly has not given anything back to society. I am not talking about financial. There isn't any causes that talks about or believes in.

There are a few topics that I would have thought she would have gotten into more detail. She says she doesn't like excuses. Everything with her has been hard work. She says she isn't  a "feminist". But, she is strong willed, and hard nails attitude.

I think most people thought the book would be about the controversy about President-Elect Trump and how she handled the controversy. If you think that is what the book is. I wouldn't suggest you purchase it. There is only a couple chapters at the end and the first chapter about the issue. She does discuss it but not in length. She also discusses the sexual harassment issue with the big honcho, Roger Ailes.

I was very disappointed that she didn't do anything about it. She decided not to pursue it because it would jeopardize her job at Fox News. She only came forward when she learned a couple other employees came forward. I was disappointed that she didn't defend her colleague, Gretchen Carlson. She preaches to the choir that this shouldn't happen at any workplace in her book. But, then stands down. Writing about it and acting upon it are two different things. Writing about it is not going to change anything. Acting upon it does. She claims because she was a "newbie" on the job is why she didn't come forward. Yes, I have no right to criticize unless I am in her shoes. But still.....

There were some good points in the book about school bullying that she experienced in 7th grade that affected later on in life. She later didn't realize she was protecting herself by not giving into her emotions. Later on she learned with the help of a counselor how to open up to her colleagues and associates and effectively make friends. It is OK to be vulnerable. Changing jobs in midstream of your life. Having a high powered job and juggle marriage with children.

The juicy part was yet to come about her exposure to Trump after the debate. She was threatened not by Presidential candidate Trump but by his followers and executives that worked for him. She does talk about leading up to the time Mr. Trump decided to run he was calling her and praising her. It leads to believe as well as her that he had intentions of running for president. He was lining up his eggs in a row to call in favors from the media, and elsewhere.

Which shes does say that Trump was trying to buy gifts for the newscasters of the big brass of CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS. She doesn't state if anyone did. But, she does believe that there was a possibility that the news stations may have been manipulated not to be fair, being easier on Mr. Trump. Also that Mr. Ailes and Mr Trump ran in the same circles that Mr. Ailes could have shown favoritism to Mr. Trump in his favor. Or just got more news coverage than the other candidates.

It is also suggested that she may have been poisoned the day of the Republican Primary Debates on her way to work by the taxi driver. He insisted that after he drops her off. He will bring her a cup of Starbuck's Coffee. After putting in her book. On interviews she has recanted the statement. They why is it in the book or even suggested?!!

Ms. Kelly is hard as nails and did come straight to the point asking Mr. Trump about his degrading comments about women.  On August 6th 2015 at the first primary republican debates.

Kelly: "You've called women you don't like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs,' and 'disgusting animals.' Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?"
Trump: "What I say is what I say. And honestly, Megyn, if you don't like it, I'm sorry, I've been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treatedme. But I wouldn't do that to you."
Apparently, the questions were leaked out to Mr. Trump ahead of time.

After reading the book I did more research on my own about Megyn Kelly. No one should be sexual harassed in the work place. But, it sends a mixed message what I found Howard Stern's program with Megyn Kelly exchanges lude remarks on his program. It is OK to be yourself on a show to market yourself. But, not to the point of it is disgusting, It is sending the double standard.
Is she marketing her self as a "sex symbol", or hard as nails reporter? I was shocked. Playing along to publicize herself.

Yes, she should be proud of where she is but don't glout. The book seemed to me almost like a self-help. Preachy telling the reader how to improve. There were parts of the book that made it sound like she was better than other.

I haven't read a memoir in a long time. It gave me insight to the corporate world, and broadcasting. I did find that interesting.  working in a man's world must be tough. She worked hard to get where she is. Her looks and her sexual appeal helped her along as well. Settle for More did hold my interest. The best part was during the presidential race. Here is an article here















Sunday, November 13, 2016

2 AM at the Cat's Pajamas





2 A. M. at the Cat's Pajamas
By Marie Helene Bertino




I had picked 2 am at the Cat's Pajama's for our book club. I was surprised what the book was actually about. I had thought it took place during the prohibition of the 1920's. What a shock that was. It started talking about a cell phone. That was such a disappointment. I expected the book to be quite different. Well, I kept on reading expecting it to get better. Unfortunately, it didn't. I liked the premise of the story about a little girl. But, then there were many more different characters that didn't jive with the story. The interconnecting characters just didn't connect well.

The story is about Madeline a young little girl. Her mother passed away. Her father was going through a lot of torture after loosing his wife. He couldn't relate to his daughter. He's daughter was getting in trouble in school for different things. The last straw was lice in her hair. The principle kicked her out of school.  Then the community became involved with Madeline since the father was so devastated about his wife's death. Which has already been quite awhile. We meet the owner of the Cat's Pajamas. The club is in trouble for violations. It will soon be closed up. Then one of Madeline's teacher. Has her own man trouble.

I had trouble with the father. I had no compassion for him. You pull yourself up and do it for your child. He had no sense to get over it. It was quite stupid in my eyes. Your children come first.

The end of the story is when Madeline sings at the club. That is when all three characters connect to each other. I am sorry it didn't do anything for me. The writing was too simplistic, and childish. The book each chapter went with the hour of the day and the character. I did like how the author changed the time. If only I liked the story.  I was  disappointed. I expected it to be different. More about the father-daughter relationship.

Oh, well you can't have everything. Hoping the next book for book club will be better. It is actually my fault. I picked it. Just like every book. Or book club selection. You are not always going to like it.
The most hated books are going to be the ones that are great for discussion. Most everyone  didn't like this book either. Not many read the book.

 Our next book club is a latke party for December. We are reading" A Man Called Ove". I have heard a lot about this one. They actually adapted it to a movie in Sweden.

My Review:

Empty Mansion





Empty Mansions
By Bill Dedman
      and
Paul Clark Newell Jr.


If you thought you heard, and knew the story of Hugette Clark.
 You should check out the book, Empty Mansion.
It was written by a man who was playing a game when he was searching for a new home for his family in Connecticut. He didn't realize what he stumbled across.  By chance he was NBC investigative reporter, Bill Dedman. The investigative reporting is on NBC website

I bought Empty Mansions because of the synopsis on the back cover. Who would want to live the rest of her days in a hospital room? Well, Hugette Clark did? She left her mansion empty for 20 years till her death.

She was born during the gilded age to W. A. Clark, and Anna. WA was born in Pennsylvania. Then moved out west.  He dabbled in mercantile, gold, banking, mining, and then became founder of Las Vegas known as Clarke County today. He became US senator in Montana which didn't fly to well, He also was a railroad baron. He was worth billions of dollars. Was compared to the Vanderbilts, and Rockefeller.

Hugette Clark was born into wealth with her older sister. She was born in 1906 in Paris.
Then 4 years later her family moved back to the U. S. Her sister died very tragically. She eventually married, but that was short lived. She lived with her parents, then with her mother. She was a very quiet person, and stayed to her self. Only went out with her mother.  She learned very early to be weary of people because of her millions.

Her family owned a home in Santa Barbara on the coastline. After her mother passed away she didn't visit any longer. She stayed in her home with her mother in New York City. She also bought a estate in Connecticut that was never used.

Hugette was worth millions, she was an artist, collector, of art, dolls, doll houses and paintings. She gave away money frivolously to many of her friends. Her employees she was very generous.

At the last twenty years of her life. She left her mansion in NYC. She was to be checked out by the doctors in Beth Israel and never left. They took her millions while she was staying in an ordinary room without a view. Her family came out of the wood work before she passed away. The only heir to her millions was her nurse for 20 years. The family protested the will.

There was more to this story. It was a fascinating story to read about the beautiful homes, and collections of dolls, and lithographs. Unfortunately her lawyers and accountants didn't keep records and watch over her fortunes. Some of her jewels became missing. As well as her Degas- Ballerinas.

She invested well in her fortunes and didn't die penniless. I enjoyed reading The Empty Mansion and learning about this fascinating woman. Not just about her eccentricities. But also her life. The changes in time from the Gilded age 1906. She lived through the sinking of the Titanic, to 9/11, to the election of President Obama. What a history to tell!!!

You can read further and see her possessions online. I posted a link on more about her. You also can check out youtube, and do your own research about this fascinating woman

My review