Finding the Bright Side: The Art of Chasing What Matters

by Shannon Bream

From the host of  Fox News @ Night , a deeply personal book about finding purpose and growth amid life’s unpredictability.

“What a gift this book will be to your soul.”—Lysa TerKeurst

Whether it's her work today as a reporter and host for Fox News, her years in law school, or the time she spent competing in pageants like Miss America, Shannon Bream has spent her entire adult life navigating high-pressure environments where perfection is expected and competition is the name of the game. But in this laugh-out-loud book of stories and inspiration, Shannon shares the moments away from the cameras and the halls of government, in which she learned that the values and faith of her blue-collar upbringing could keep her grounded in a world where everyone wants you to be something other than who you are.

In  Finding the Bright Side , Shannon continues a conversation about authenticity, humility, and trusting in God that she's already begun with her followers on social media. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from Washington, D.C., revelations from her time reporting on the Supreme Court, and lessons learned from the most challenging moments of her life—from the time she was fired from her first job and told, “You’re the worst person I’ve ever seen on TV,” to the time she heard “There is no cure.” But through all of this, faith (and a little bit of stubbornness!) has helped Shannon to keep hope, find purpose in the pain, and find laughs along the way.
 
Praise for  Finding the Bright Side

“Integrity. Faith. Diligence. Success. Shannon’s book—and life—elevate these cherished values. For anyone hoping to move forward without compromising convictions, this book is a must read.” —Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author
 
“In  Finding the Bright Side , Shannon reveals that her sunny face and disposition is not just from good genetics. Her success is long in coming and well-deserved. She is sheer joy in a bottle.” —Kathie Lee Gifford, bestselling author of  The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Biography, Memoir, Audiobook, Religion

208 pages, Hardcover

Published May 14, 2019

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought i'd find myself reading biographies, but I just think it's so cool to learn about people's lives who we think have the most perfect life without struggles. Finding The Bright Side by Shannon Bream was so raw, and so authentic. As many of you know, Shannon Bream is the host of Fox News at Night. From watching Shannon on tv, it always looks like she has her life together, but after reading this book I have learned that she has struggles of her own. Finding The Bright Side is a deeply personal book about finding purpose and growth in life's unpredictability. Shannon always has such a positive attitude, even when she was going through rough patches in life. This book was so inspiring, and so compelling. The only thing I had a problem with was that I wish this book was longer because it was truly touching. I often found myself laughing out loud with Shannon's story, but it also got me a little teary eyed after learning that Shannon wanted to end her life.

Shannon talks a lot about her life growing up. She tells the story of how she was only allowed to listen to a certain kind of music in her household. Shannon thought she had the meanest mom when she was younger because she always had curfews, but it kept her out of trouble, and got her to where she is today. Shannon talks about her faith, and her strong Christian beliefs, and how she turned to God when things got tough. Shannon takes us on the journey of her childhood through elementary school, middle school, high school, and college. Shannon went to law school, competed in Miss America pageants. Shannon talks a lot about her health issues as well. Shannon also shares the moments away from the cameras and the halls of government, in which she learned that the values and faith of her blue collar upbringing could keep her grounded in a world where everyone wants you to be something other than who you are.

Shannon Bream shares stories and behind the scenes from Washington D.C., her time reporting on the Supreme Court, and lessons learned from the most challenging moments of her life from the times where she was fired from her first job and told that she was the worst person someone has ever seen on t.v. Shannon talks about other Fox News reporters that she has formed a bond with over the years. Shannon has spent her entire adult life navigating high pressure environments where perfection is expected and competition is the name of the game. In Finding The Bright Side we learn how Shannon met her husband, Sheldon. We learn about Shannon having horrible eye pain and being told there's no cure for it that she wanted to end her life because she never understood how God could let someone go through this. All in all I loved this book so much. It was so beautiful, but heart tugging at times.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring little book. I found the most interesting part was her experience with a chronic painful condition. One without any known cure.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon Bream gives us a glimpse into her inspiring life, one based on faith and hard work. She talks about being motivated to study hard and achieve high goals as a student from grade school through college, law school and into adulthood, having a competitive nature. After law school, she worked at a law firm for a short while before working her way in television news where her real interests were. Working with local news on network television for a few locales, she finally got her dream job working with Fox News, first covering the Supreme Court and now she has her own show. She came to rely on her Heavenly Father when things did not go as planned. Shannon is a great storyteller with a genuineness that shows through with her honesty and candid openness about her struggles, moments of despair, feelings of being different at times in this world we live in today but always with her eye on God, giving Him the glory. We see her lovely personality and high moral character in how she approaches all areas of life. A Florida girl, born and raised, she loves football (FSU) and married a handsome baseball player from Pennsylvania that she met while at Liberty University. Her story is told in a way that has one smiling with her and sad for her at times but with a positive outlook. This is an easy read that flows smoothly and quickly.
I received an ARC from Crown Publishing and Convergent Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In today's contentious world, "looking on the bright side" is the only way to go!

"Shannon's sunny face and disposition is not just from good genetics. Her success is well-deserved. She is sheer joy in a bottle."--Kathie Lee Gifford

Shannon Bream's memoir is a delightful and inspiring read.  Shannon's well-deserved success story can be attributed to her indefatigable work ethic, positive attitude, resilience, and her strong Christian faith. 

From beauty pageants (Miss Virginia, Miss USA, Miss Florida) to law school to a journalism career, Shannon's journey from a "normal" blue color family to the newsroom is anything but typical and is a story that will resonate with all readers.

Before listening to this book,  I knew very little about Shannon Bream.   I knew that she was married but I did not know when she was engaged, her 24-year-old-college athlete fiance Sheldon was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  When Sheldon's tumor was surgically removed, he experienced brain swelling that crushed his facial nerves and created severe paralysis.  Needless to say, he was also very depressed.  A month before their wedding date, a miracle had happened and Shannon saw a small movement in Sheldon's face.    Shannon's support of Sheldon during this difficult time is just one of the many examples of her strength of character and her loyalty to loved ones.

In addition to sharing her husband's health struggles in this book, Shannon also reveals her own.  Shannon suffers from corneal dystrophy, a condition that causes searing eye pain.  Throughout her 18-month ordeal dealing with chronic pain, Shannon was the consummate professional and went on air with her trademark smile. Many times, she was not even able to see her teleprompter.

I listened to the audiobook that was read by Shannon Bream.   I always love it when authors read their own memoirs and Shannon, as usual, hit the narration of this book out of the park. 

The audiobook was short (5.5 hours) and I liked that. No wordy tangents, just compelling straight talk.

4.5 Stars

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very personal and funny memoir. A quick, engaging and really interesting read. I enjoyed and recommend it.

[Becky Willey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved Shannon Bream's positive attitude while she delivered the news. This book is a selection of stories from her life that show you that she has made the most of difficult situations. Her faith and sense of humor are evident throughout the book. It is an easy, encouraging read. I didn't want to put it down. The only thing I wished was that it was longer. Can't wait for the next one!!!!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, honest and compelling! I won an ARC of this book from Goodreads and I truly believe that getting a copy of this to read early was divine intervention. It really was what I needed to read at this junction in my life. Struggling with some serious health issues myself while trying to figure out what the future will now need to look like has been a heartbreaking challenge to face. Reading Shannon's story and her honesty about her struggles and triumphs is a story everyone can relate to no matter their background. Her never give up attitude and ability to hold onto her dreams and faith throughout so many difficult stages in her life and career is incredibly inspirational. It makes the rest of us who have faced similar disappointments or situations feel like we are not alone and that there can still be success in the future afterwards. This book is a MUST READ!! Thank you Shannon for sharing your wisdom and perspective with me.

[Sharon Foust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shannon Bream is one of my favorite news people. I have new found respect for her as she describes her up bringing and her college years where she competed in the Miss America pageant as Miss Virginia and in the Miss USA pageant as Miss Florida and then after graduating from law school her decision to leave the law and go in to the news business. She shows in the book that her beauty that took her to the pageant stage is more than skin deep. She is a beautiful soul. This is lovingly demonstrated as she tells about her husband and the circumstances of their marriage. How she ended up at Fox through a chance meeting by her husband with Britt Hume. She tells of her discomfort in her many meetings with Roger Ailes. Very honest and forthright but never mean. Shannon is a Christian and is always open about that and shows how she lives her faith! God bless her!

[Cathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very encouraging book with lots of stories from the author’s life. Shannon has a good way of finding God amidst the different joys and sorrows in her life. I highly recommend this book because it was a joy to read. She has a good writing style that’s fun and easy to understand.

[Kathleen Klingenmaier-Vinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written by Shannon Bream. Now I understand why her and her husband don't have children.

[Cristie Underwood]

This book was the typical memoir, there weren't any shocking things that stood out or moments discussed that were extremely interesting. It was an ok read, just not overly exciting.

[Jonathan Koan · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Book 44]

This book was short and sweet. I was really surprised by all the experiences that Shannon Bream went through. I thought that she really wrote the book in such a way as to thoroughly explain herself without going too long. It felt perfectly paced, designed to be read on the beach in one afternoon(It took me two reading days, but if I had more time I could have done it in one).

What shocked me the most is truly how deep Bream's relationship with God is. Most T.V. Personalities claim that they were raised in church, but they really don't present evidence in their daily lives. But Shannon Bream goes against the culture and makes at least 1 Bible reference in every chapter(sometimes 3 or 4 or 5 Bible references).

I also loved how connected she was with Liberty. Not only did she go to Liberty, but she is a fan and supports the college even post graduating. She even was married to her husband by Jerry Falwell(Sr.) himself!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a good change of pace and I really hope that more Christians in media like Bream start to come out of the woodwork. 7.1 out of 10!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian living from start to finish and everything else in life that happens in between. I appreciate that Breams allows the reader to see her at some of the most vulnerable times in her life. She puts her faith into action. It’s not just talk. It’s so inspiring to see people keep there faith and persevere even if they have to start over a few times — or they don’t do it perfectly. Life can be unpredictable at times but i love how Breams shows the reader how to make the best of your circumstances and to see the best in all of life’s up’s and downs. Sometimes things don’t go as planned and that’s okay. God always has a better plan and can use everything we go through to serve a greater good & purpose. I liked how Breams mentions in the book that we are not intended to be cookie cut imitations of each other; we are unique and God intended for it to be that way. She lives by example and encourages readers to celebrate the good that God has afforded them with— be yourself and allow God to carry you through every phase of life.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it inspirational. This books reminds us of how human each of us need God, family and friends to be with is through all of life’s good and difficult times. This read helped me to remember that God and family should be our priorities. The challenges that Shannon has been through can be a lesson to each of us when we go through our own life challenges . I struggle day to day with finding and maintains meaning. This book is a model on how that can be achieved and maintained front and center. I recommend this to anyone going through personal challenges and any stage in their like. Thank you Shannon Breen.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fast read and the author's life and how she got to be an anchor at fox news.
I want to give her credit for taking a lot of risks in life, from pageants to go to law school to going into the news business to becoming an anchor at a major station. She came through a lot of odds and persevered through it all.

I appreciated her honesty to some of the hardships she had overcome in her life and because she is a public figure it is good to show that she is not perfect. I appreciate how she wrote her book and put herself out there so that everyone could see the story of her life so far. Definitely inspiring!

[Kiera Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started and finished this book in a matter of hours. Shannon Bream recalls her life and what led her to become an anchor on Fox News in a humorous, straightforward, and sometimes heartbreakingly honest way. She does not sugarcoat the struggles she faced and the things she has been through at all, but one thing is for certain: only her faith and reliance on God has gotten her through. This book was absolutely wonderful, and I’ve gained a new role model. My only criticism would be that sometimes the timeline wasn’t in order throughout chapters, but the way she articulated the lessons she learned makes sense.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful inspiring read about a woman who worked hard and kept her faith while navigating the Washington DC news beat. She was raised in a normal, blue collar family and became a beauty queen, and a well known face on Fox News. She tells funny stories about her life and some of her stumbles along her life's path but her faith never failed. The book is inspiring, fun and a look at her life that has you thinking of her as a friend. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jim D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very inspirational look at someone whose life is not as rosy as it appears on TV. I have admired Shannon Bream's intelligence and command of the issues for years. I had no idea of the significant health and personal obstacles she endured in her life. She is definitely an example for young men and women alike as they navigate through the minefields of their lives. She is not shy about her faith in God nor about the deep crises she had to overcome. I am glad I read the book and think you will as well.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shannon Bream's Finding the Bright Side gives an autobiographical account of her journey through life's successes by learning that not every failure is meant to keep you down but to lift you up according to God's plan. As she struggles with her vision problems, she also is keenly aware of her husband's journey with his health battles. I had to laugh at her ventures into the Miss America contests and some of the behind-the-scenes activities. Eventually, though she was able to land her ideal job on Fox News where she has been a successful anchor having replaced a long-time host.

[Cinda Cheshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

I could not put this book down. As a Christian I am so happy there are people in Shannon's position that share the same belief as I do and not afraid to share her faith. She made decisions based on the truth and what she knew she would have to live with not what other people thought they had to do to go further. She can hold her head high ! I just love her . It gives me hope knowing there is still good people out there when you're surrounded by hearing all negative things in life.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated her faith during times of crisis. She's definitely a "driver" personality and has accomplished many things in her life. Her writing style is just average. The book was easy to read and its message, very clear. "How you view your circumstances and respond to them can shape the entire trajectory of your life. I choose to believe there is purpose in the pain . . ." That insight is very true.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admire Shannon Bream and wanted to read her memoir. I still admire her and am glad I read her story, but I would not say it was a particularly well-written memoir. The writing seemed quite choppy and disjointed to me, and that meant I was not sure what the point of the book was. I would note that Shannon comes across as a decent and humble human being--which is actually rather difficult to portray when writing one's memoir.

[Eileenjp · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Finding the Bright Side," was a quick fun read about Shannon Bream's life and exciting career. While her career has been mostly uphill, her personal life has had a number of struggles. Her struggles includes the severe health issues of her husband and the near loss of her own eyesight. It was nice to see how her faith in God has been a major part of her life and her decisions. The book was a inspiring read I would recommend it.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ Love Shannon and all that she stands for. I related to her wiring and thought process, and I enjoyed hearing her stories.

- That said, this book was gifted to me by a family member, and when I read the title, I expected it to be a more inspirational self-help book than the autobiography it is. I don’t generally read biographies and probably wouldn’t have read it if I knew it would just be a collection of stories with nuggets of truth and wisdom sprinkled in.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the title I expected this to be more of a motivational book rather than simply a memoir. I don't know anything about her career, but Shannon Bream is clearly intelligent.

It's written in essay style which I enjoyed. The back half of the book had more captivating stories than the first. I'm sure she worked hard in her youth. I just have a difficult time relating to someone who could afford private college, a sorority, and to compete in two state-level pageants and win.

[Deanna J Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Story by Shannon Bream

Interesting read on the life of Shannon Bream. Tells about her early life, college and law school, Miss America Contests, marriage, and the start of her career at Fox TV Network. She shares her faith and also tells of difficult times. The book is an easy read.

[JDJay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Clearly, Ms Bream is as smart and hilarious as she is beautiful. She is also of high character and integrity. For this being her first book to have written, she did a mighty fine job. Even if one is not "into the news", this book goes beyond that area. I highly recommend it.

[Vanessa Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good, uplifting read. Shannon has overcome much in her life and found success!

In this book, she comes off as a normal relatable girl, someone you would want to make friends with. She does not shy away from discussing difficult moments and topics in her life, from her personal battle with a chronic condition, to professional failures.

This is a good quick read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An upbeat and personal memoir about her life experiences and learning what matters most in life. The writing was enjoyable because her voice was authentic. This was a goodreads giveaway and the opinion is my own.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

why did Christ die for you, rules and standards good, disordered life wounded with bandages, pursuits of life great job great education did not yield produce happiness, live in world with supernatural faith, army of saints praying for your joy, Coming Home Network.