Funny man

Title: Most Talkative: stories from the front lines of pop culture
Author: Andy Cohen
Genre: Non-Fiction
Sub-genre: Comedy, autobiography
Pages: 288
Published: 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
ISBN:   0805095837
Reader's Annotation: Stories that you refuse to admit you watch
Summary: Andy Cohen, producer and host of many Bravo TV shows, takes us on a journey of how he came to Bravo and the Real Housewives of _____.
My Evaluation:  While rather amusing, I was a little disappointed in this book... I was expecting a lot more stories about the Real Housewives and other Bravo stories. Instead I got more of a life story of him, which again while funny, wasn't what I was expecting when I picked up this book. 
Rating:  4.2.4 out of 5

Stories of the Black Hand

Title: The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy
Author: Laurie Fabiano
Genre: Historical fiction
Sub-genre: Semi-autobiographical
Pages:  410
Published: 2009
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN:  1442152613
Reader's Annotation: The story of a family through the 1900s into the 1980s and the role they played in Lower East Side in NYC's history
Summary: Fabiano brings to light stories form her family in Giovanna, who's family was a target of the early ancestors of the Mafia (known as The Black Hand), and how she survived to pass down her stories to the author.
My Evaluation: What an interesting book... I was not a fan of the switching time periods but it made sense. I also didn't like how many characters I had to remember and how they were related to each other. I also absolutely hated the ending. She just ended it so abruptly! The story was fascinating but some of it needed a but more flushing out...
Rating:  3.4 out of 5

Rockettes, Rockstars, and rockbottom

Title: Rockettes, Rockstars, and Rockbottom
Author: Keltie Colleen
Genre: Non-Fiction
Sub-genre: Autobiography, romance, dance
Pages:  168
Published: 2010
Publisher: Deadxstop Publishing Company
ISBN:  9780977766598
Reader's Annotation: How will Keltie's life change when she meets a rocker?
Summary: Colleen is a dancer in NYC who has danced with such companies as the NYC Rockettes. This book deals with her life as a struggling dancer, meeting rockers, and how her life has changed because of it.
My Evaluation: I enjoyed this book... to some extent. Her stories about auditioning were great but I expected more stories about what life was like as a Rockette. I didn't enjoy the tons of self-loathing that is a good chunk of the book. I would have much preferred to hear about life as one of an iconic dance troupes. I was also annoyed at the fact that when she talked about the guys she dated, she never mentioned their names. Yes, I understand the need for privacy but it was really annoying.
Rating:  2 out of 5

In the Garden of Beasts

Title: In the Garden of Beasts
Author: Erik Larson
Genre: Non-Fiction
Sub-genre: History, Nazism, WWII, European History
Pages:  450
Published: 2011
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
ISBN: 0307408841
Reader's Annotation:A window into the American Ambassador in Germany as Hitler rises to power
Summary: Erik Larson provides a historical look into the lives of William Dodd and his daughter, Martha as he is made America's ambassador to Germany in 1933. Rich with fact, Larson's look provides a window into an American family's perspective to the rise of the Nazis
My Evaluation: Once again Erik Larson is an consummate historian. His research is outstanding. I only know of Dodd by name and not much else so this was an eye-opener. Once it again, Larson proves his point that had the US government listened to Dodd as well as others, 6 million lives would have not been lost to the mad men of Hitler and his cronies. Dodd, a very staunch Jeffersonian, wants a different way for the ambassadorship, especially in Europe but once again the old boys club in Washington at this time, fails to listen to him. Larson's research into Dodd's life as well as Martha's, was amazing. Martha's tryst with NKVD operative is especially astounding considering the atmosphere at the time. However, unlike the other two books of Larson's that I have read, this one was much drier. His other two books had a mystery element to them, as both involved a murder (Devil in the White City and Thunderstruck) so this book was harder to get through than the others.
Rating:  3.8 out of 5
Readalikes: 
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie
The Monster of Florence by Preston Douglas
Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
The Liberators: America's Witnesses to the Holocaust by Michael Hirsh
The Mascot: Unraveling the Mystery of My Jewish Father's Nazi Boyhood by Mark Kurzem
Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi

Hollywood connections

Title: I'm hosting as Fast As I Can
Author: Tom Bergeron
Genre: Non-Fiction
Sub-genre: Biography/Autobiography
Pages:  240
Published: 2009/2010 (Paperback)
Publisher: HarperOne
ISBN: 0061765880
Reader's Annotation: What makes Tom Bergeron the host that he is?
Summary: Tom Bergeron, host of Dancing With the Stars, talks about his life as a radio and TV host, with pitfalls and funny stories along the way
My Evaluation: I've been a huge fan of Tom ever since he started hosting America's Funniest Videos, and then Dancing With the Stars so I was super excited to read the book. Like Tom, it's full of funny stories that will make you laugh and some interesting dialogue to make you think. It's a good, fast read and really funny
Rating: 4 out of 5

What do you tell your friends?

Title: Stories I Only Tell My Friends
Author: Rob Lowe
Genre: Non-Fiction
Sub-genre: Memoir, Auto-Biography
Pages:  306
Published: 2011
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
ISBN: 080509329X
Reader's Annotation: Rob Lowe uses humor and personality to show us his life
Summary: Lowe takes the reader on a journey from his humble beginnings in Ohio through his tumultuous years as a Hollywood star and finally to his his beginnings on West Wing, he brings humor and great storytelling to let you into his world.
My Evaluation: I fell in love with Rob Lowe on the West Wing (though I knew who he was before than, hello Austin Powers :)) so when I heard he was writing a book, I couldn't wait to read it. It completely lived up to my expectations. There was only one thing I didn't really like and that was Rob expected the reader to know every detail (like his escapade with an underage girl). He hints at things but never fully explains them. After reading this book, I have gained even more respect for him, both as an actor and as a human being.
Rating:  4 out of 5