I read all over the map, and like to mix it up. Fiction, SciFi, History and then... The next book was Ricki Lake's autobiography, Never Say Never.
There was Ricki the 240 pound teen star of Hairspray, and after a mediocre hits, a dramatic weight loss. She talks about her relationship with Divine during and after the movie, and I was surprised to know he was only 350 pounds when he died. That's a lot, I know, but some people on The Biggest Loser are larger, and it's sad to think he died on the edge of "making it" in show business, after figuratively working his ass off to get there.
Then there was The Ricki Lake Show which ran for many seasons and is coming back this fall. She had a admirable way of talking about her romantic encounters, like calling them Mr. Charisma, and The Sensitive Heartthrob. Not knowing all the details of her life yet, I was forced to get up from bed, go to the computer and look up just who she was talking about. Nice to be discreet, but one click of the mouse and the veil is removed. Perhaps I lost a few calories walking to the office and back, and this is yet another benefit to reading Ricki's book... Shall I reveal who they are or do you already know?
The second half talks about her natural child-birthing, and working on The Business of Being Born, a documentary on natural versus hospital childbirth, in which she (I read) shows the video of her own son's birth.
The last chapters were about her rise up the leader board on Dancing With The Stars. She didn't win, but I respect the technique and energy a schedule like that would be. Seems like everyone from Dancing With The Stars gets a book deal as part of the package, winner or not.
I learned about weight loss and natural childbirth, and Ricki was a fun person to be with for a few days. If you are interested in natural childbirth, the documentary sounds well made, and the book is an interesting window into that process. Well-written, funny and entertaining.
2012 / Hardcover / 304 pages
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