Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee Paperback – July 19, 2011

I have always admired Hoda Kotb, ever since she was a reporter in our city of New Orleans -- everyone loved Hoda. Her voice and her smile are always genuine whether on air, on the sidewalk, and now in her book.It was interesting to learn about the education and leadership of Hoda's family in Eqypt and in the USA. The reader really gets to know her and enjoy her family relationships, especially her Mom who is quite a character and generously shares her recipes too. Hoda's crisis with cancer is inspirational and educational, while further deepening the support and relationship with her family.Everyone can identify at some time with Hoda. For example, being an African American woman, I sure could identify with her hair woes as an Egyptian woman. Sibling relationships, typical sneaky teen episodes, and cultural clashes were insightful as well as fun.Despite some of the lightheartedness, her strong character is clearly revealed. She was appropriately forthcoming about her failed marriage, but with the decency not to reveal her ex-husband's name which says a lot about her character and civility. Her crisis with breast cancer is inspirational and educational. On the subject of Katrina, I greatly appreciated her unbiased reporting while expressing her love for the City and its citizens.There were episodes so down right hilarious that I had to laugh out loud. This is a good read, and I learned a great deal about the media and reporting from inside the profession. Through HOda's generosity and insight, I even got to like Kathy Lee Gifford!

I can’t believe I received it. Was very heartwarming and great book.

I enjoyed reading Hoda’s memoir. I miss watching her on the Jenna and Hoda show! I’ll need to read another one of her books that is more recent. It was a fascinating read.

Hoda. Very interesting

I tend not to read autobiographies or biographies, I’m more of a fiction reader. Having said that, there are a handful of autobiographies that I have read and LOVED! One was Becoming by Michelle Obama and another was this book by Hoda!! We think we know her because of The Today Show, well we do!! That’s who she is and I really like her! I could relate to her stories and I laughed and laughed and laughed! It was great! Can’t wait to read her next “chapter”!

I have had many opportunities to be in the same room, at the same function, and to speak with Hoda Kotb throughout the last seventeen years or so. She has been the guest at many club functions and the guest speaker at others.I can still remember my first encounter with Hoda. I met up with her to escort her to an event that I was chairing where she had agreed to be the guest speaker. She was so bubbly and friendly, and was never quiet! If she wasn't talking, she was humming. She immediately captivated me. She has the ability to draw an audience in and hold them captive, no one wants to miss a word of what she is saying.So, when she mentioned her book on the Today Show, I knew there was no way I was not going to read it. When I picked up the book to read it, before I even opened the cover, I was hoping that it would be like having a conversation with her. I was not disappointed. Her humor comes through ten-fold. It was like catching up with an old friend. So, Hoda, if you ever come across my review, I am a friend of Laura's (in South Louisiana because I'm sure you will not remember me!)I hope you enjoyed the quotes (I wanted to quote the entire book) and it makes you want to pick up the book and read it. If you enjoy watching Hoda on the Today Show, you will enjoy reading this book.

I loved reading this book! I was interested to find out some of Hoda's background. I am amazed at all the interesting things she has done in her life. She appears to be the same joyful woman in the book who appears on the morning show with Kathy Lee. This is one book I will certainly keep and read again sometime in the future. It is very well writen and offers some smiles, some chuckles, and possibly some tears for the reader.

Big Hoda fan before I read her book & appreciate her more after reading. She is so authentic detailing her life. She is interesting even if she wasn’t on the Today show. This is a nice, easy, interesting book that is great for your purse so you can read while waiting or at lunch since the chapters are episodes of her life rather than a story with cliffhangers. I find her inspiring, authentic, genuine & so full of joy. The world could use many more Hoda’s.