summer reading – Say Yes to Happy

I have long been a fan of the Kennedy family. I’ve seen my share of documentaries and interviews but “After Camelot: A Personal History of the Kennedy Family 1968 to Present,” was one of the first books I’ve read about the Kennedys.

Everyone is familiar with JFK and his story but this book delves into the lives of his very famous family in the aftermath in the years after both JFK and Bobby’s assainations.

I have always wondered about the relationships between the family members and how they all dealt with such huge losses and tragedies within the family. Many members of the Kennedy family were very religious and held onto their faith and each other during tough times.

This book chronicles over 50 years with the Kennedy family which included marriages, divorces, children, grandchildren, untimely deaths, rehab stints, politics, and the unattainably high standards that the second generation of Kennedys set for the future generations.

I have also been curious about the Kennedy family today and what they are up to.This book was published in 2012 so the information is all very recent and up to date about the family members today.

Even though this book is 526 pages long once I came to the end, I found myself wanting more still. I was really fascinated with all the stories and new tidbits of information I learned through reading this book. It is very well written. I liked how there were subtitles among the chapters and that the book was split up into parts that were focused on different family members.

This is a must read for all Kennedy fans and anyone who is curious about this very famous family.

Next week I’ll switch from one historically famous family (the Kennedys) to another more modernly famous family, the Kardashians, with Kris Jenner’s “Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian.”

It’s no secret by now that I love watching the Bachelor and the Bachelorette. (I have done fashion posts on previous bachelorettes Ali Fedotowsky, Jillian Harris, and Emily Maynard.)

So naturally when Melissa Rycroft, a contestant on Jason Mesnick’s season 13 of the Bachelor, came out with a book, I was curious and wanted to read it. It is titled My Reality.

Here is the synopsis: Best known as the girl who was proposed to by The Bachelor star Jason Mesnick and then dumped on national TV six weeks later, Melissa Rycroft immediately turned her life around. Now married to her original love, Tye Strickland, and expecting her first child, Melissa shares her “Cinderella” story of overcoming heartbreak and finding happiness.

The main reason I wanted to read it was to get her perspective on the things that happened during the Bachelor, and to see if she would give any juicy scoop on her time in the Bachelor mansion. I was a little disappointed that she was brief on her time in the infamous mansion and didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. It is probably out of respect for the contestants but I wish she would have given more details.

I’m actually surprised she was able to write about her experience during her time on the Bachelor at all. I hear they have very strict confidentiality contracts they have to sign to appear on the show and to not give away the show’s secrets. So maybe that is part of it too.

But it was interesting to hear how the process works from applying, to interviewing to getting accepted and going onto this well known show. She talked a lot about being in the “Bachelor Bubble” which was also refreshing to read about. She talks about how you are not allowed to have contact with your family or friends while on the show, you aren’t allowed to have any reading materials, etc. You are put in an environment with other girls all dating the same guy and how limited/small your world becomes.

And if you are a fan of the show you will know that it does have a great track record for couples making it in the real world after the glitz and glamour of the show has worn off. (In its 17 seasons only 3 couples have married their chosen one from the show) It’s no wonder though, because Melissa mentioned that she had only gone on 3 dates with Jason before he proposed! Three dates people! What can you really know about a person after such a short period of time?! It’s definitely a crazy whirlwind and it’s easy to see how theses people get wrapped up in the moment.

I also thought it was sweet to read about her roller coaster romance with her now husband Tye Strickland who she dated before and after the Bachelor. Their relationship went through a lot to get to the happy place they are in now and it really goes to show how fate leads you where you are supposed to be and how things really do happen for a reason.

And lastly I found it very interesting to hear how quickly things turned around for her after the Bachelor. She was offered a spot on Dancing with the Stars and placed third. Then Good Morning America asked her to become a correspondent for them, which lead to other jobs. Her life has changed a lot in the last few years and her book was a refreshingly honest and candid look at the road that lead her to where she is today.

It’s a nice quick read, I finished it the same day I started it. I would recommend it if you’re looking for a light summer read. If you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts as well!

Next Tuesday join me as I review Chelsea Handler’s latest book, “Lie Chelsea Handler Told Me,” written by her staff, family, and friends.