When You Need a Lift

September 17, 2007
Behar, cohost of ABCs "The View, " doesnt have any advice of her own to dispense. Instead, she offers brief personal essays from more than 100 of her best friends (childrens author David A. Adler and comedian Anne Meara among them). These mood boosters include I look at my friend Chip deMatteos eighth grade picture (Bruce Hornsby) and My remedy is my ukulele. I sit and strum my blues away (Tony Danza). Danielle Broussard is a big believer in the idea that there is very little that a new pair of shoes and a Klondike bar cant fix. At best, those like Regis Philbin remind us that exercise reduces stress and releases endorphins. In the end, perhaps the best advice comes from actor Richard Anderson, The world is imperfect. Be cognitive. Work hard. Stay out of politics. But you might have figured that one out on your own. "(Sept.)" .

July 1, 2007
Behar, comedian and cohost of ABC's "The View", offers a follow-up to her "Joy Schtick" with this compilation written by 100 of her friends, associates, and role models, including Barbara Bush and James Earl Jones. Little of the material is funny; only a few of the celebrities share significant catastrophes in their lives. What readers get are snippets of advice on coping with the "blues." In her introduction, Behar confesses to heading to a department store to cure the doldrums. And what do other eminently successful people do to give themselves a lift? Not surprisingly, many count their blessings. Others play with their pets, exercise, listen to music, turn to loved ones, help others, or go out for a good meal. One point that comes through is the importance of doing work that one lovesthat can often be enough of a tonic. This book proves that people are driven to find solace in similar activities no matter what their status in life. Fairly entertaining, it is recommended for large and medium public libraries catering to celebrity followers. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 4/15/07.]Mary E. Jones, Los Angeles P.L.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 9, 2007
Behar, cohost of ABC’s The View,
doesn’t have any advice of her own to dispense. Instead, she offers brief personal essays from more than 100 of her best friends (children’s author David A. Adler and comedian Anne Meara among them). These mood boosters include “I look at my friend Chip deMatteo’s eighth grade picture” (Bruce Hornsby) and “My remedy is my ukulele. I sit and strum my blues away” (Tony Danza). Danielle Broussard is “a big believer in the idea that there is very little that a new pair of shoes and a Klondike bar can’t fix.” At best, those like Regis Philbin remind us that exercise reduces stress and releases endorphins. In the end, perhaps the best advice comes from actor Richard Anderson, “The world is imperfect. Be cognitive. Work hard. Stay out of politics.” But you might have figured that one out on your own.