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Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories — A Funny Collection of Real-Life Stories
A sharp, funny, and honest collection of real-life stories from Kelly Ripa, showing the many dimensions and crackling wit of the beloved daytime talk show host.
In Live Wire, her first book, Kelly shows what really makes her tick. As a professional, as a wife, as a daughter and as a mother, she brings a hard-earned wisdom and an eye for the absurdity of life to every minute of every day. It is her relatability in all of these roles that has earned her fans worldwide and millions of followers on social media. Whether recounting how she and Mark really met, the level of chauvinism she experienced on set, how Jersey Pride follows her wherever she goes, and many, many moments of utter mortification (whence she proves that you cannot, in fact, die of embarrassment) Kelly always tells it like it is. Ms. Ripa takes no prisoners.
Surprising, at times savage, a little shameless and always with humor… Live Wire shows Kelly as she really is offscreen—a very wise woman who has something to say.
In Live Wire, her first book, Kelly shows what really makes her tick. As a professional, as a wife, as a daughter and as a mother, she brings a hard-earned wisdom and an eye for the absurdity of life to every minute of every day. It is her relatability in all of these roles that has earned her fans worldwide and millions of followers on social media. Whether recounting how she and Mark really met, the level of chauvinism she experienced on set, how Jersey Pride follows her wherever she goes, and many, many moments of utter mortification (whence she proves that you cannot, in fact, die of embarrassment) Kelly always tells it like it is. Ms. Ripa takes no prisoners.
Surprising, at times savage, a little shameless and always with humor… Live Wire shows Kelly as she really is offscreen—a very wise woman who has something to say.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,764 reviews
December 23, 2022
I never saw it coming. But I like Kelly Ripa. I really, really like her.
I say this with surprise because I’ve always felt rather ambivalent about Ms. Ripa. I’ve never disliked her, but aside from occasionally enjoying her on the various incarnations of Live over the years, she’s never evoked strong feelings from me either way.
Until now.
Because NOW I’ve had the pleasure of listening to her first book on audio, Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories, expertly narrated by Ripa herself. NOW I know that the woman can write. And NOW I know that she can write well.
Live Wire is a collection of stories from Ripa’s life. So it’s technically not a memoir, but the stories have the feel of one. In them, she delves into a wide variety of topics: marriage and children, her early years on Live with Regis Philbin, plastic surgery, her love for the Garden State, her most embarrassing life moments. And she tells the stories with great wisdom, a sharp wit, and revealing candor.
I laughed. I made my husband listen to a few especially adept passages. My eyes misted over.
Kelly Ripa, you live wire, you.
I say this with surprise because I’ve always felt rather ambivalent about Ms. Ripa. I’ve never disliked her, but aside from occasionally enjoying her on the various incarnations of Live over the years, she’s never evoked strong feelings from me either way.
Until now.
Because NOW I’ve had the pleasure of listening to her first book on audio, Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories, expertly narrated by Ripa herself. NOW I know that the woman can write. And NOW I know that she can write well.
Live Wire is a collection of stories from Ripa’s life. So it’s technically not a memoir, but the stories have the feel of one. In them, she delves into a wide variety of topics: marriage and children, her early years on Live with Regis Philbin, plastic surgery, her love for the Garden State, her most embarrassing life moments. And she tells the stories with great wisdom, a sharp wit, and revealing candor.
I laughed. I made my husband listen to a few especially adept passages. My eyes misted over.
Kelly Ripa, you live wire, you.
October 14, 2022
Kelly Ripa's "memoir" is not a memoir.
Instead, "Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories" is a collection of very, very, very "long-winded" and "I'm trying to be funny and entertaining" short stories about random happenings in Kelly's life.
Did I really care about when Kelly met Richard Gere?
Or when she passed out after she had sex with her husband?
Or about her plastic surgery?
NO!
(Is this what today's celebrities need to write about to sell books?)
Missing from this book was praise for her mentor Regis Philbin, who was instrumental in helping her jumpstart and catapult her career.
A very, very small portion of the book had negative comments about Regis Philbin. (Huh?).
Kelly's disparaging "Regis comments" show that Kelly never learned that it's poor taste to discredit a mentor, especially when this mentor is dead and can't defend himself/herself.
Also missing from this book was Kelly's "short story" about the unprofessional and self-centered stunt that she pulled in 2016 when she "went missing" from Live after her former co-host Michael Strahan announced he was moving to Good Morning America.
I would have preferred a chronological insightful memoir about how a bus driver's daughter from South Jersey with zero Hollywood connections earned and achieved her celebrity status.
I also would have liked to read some "short stories" about Kelly's behind-the-scenes moments at "All My Children" and "Live".
I listened to the audiobook read by Kelly Ripa. I always love it when celebrities read their own memoirs and/or "long-winded short stories" and to Kelly's credit, she did a superb job with the narration.
2 stars rounded up.
Instead, "Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories" is a collection of very, very, very "long-winded" and "I'm trying to be funny and entertaining" short stories about random happenings in Kelly's life.
Did I really care about when Kelly met Richard Gere?
Or when she passed out after she had sex with her husband?
Or about her plastic surgery?
NO!
(Is this what today's celebrities need to write about to sell books?)
Missing from this book was praise for her mentor Regis Philbin, who was instrumental in helping her jumpstart and catapult her career.
A very, very small portion of the book had negative comments about Regis Philbin. (Huh?).
Kelly's disparaging "Regis comments" show that Kelly never learned that it's poor taste to discredit a mentor, especially when this mentor is dead and can't defend himself/herself.
Also missing from this book was Kelly's "short story" about the unprofessional and self-centered stunt that she pulled in 2016 when she "went missing" from Live after her former co-host Michael Strahan announced he was moving to Good Morning America.
I would have preferred a chronological insightful memoir about how a bus driver's daughter from South Jersey with zero Hollywood connections earned and achieved her celebrity status.
I also would have liked to read some "short stories" about Kelly's behind-the-scenes moments at "All My Children" and "Live".
I listened to the audiobook read by Kelly Ripa. I always love it when celebrities read their own memoirs and/or "long-winded short stories" and to Kelly's credit, she did a superb job with the narration.
2 stars rounded up.
October 12, 2022
A couple of chapters were mildly entertaining, but I just didn't like the style of writing and couldn't connect with the lifestyle. There were also some negative statements about general groups of people. That's a real turn-off.
April 3, 2023
Rounding up from 3.5. The good = stories about her marriage and Live. Especially loved the Regis insights. Her current host seems to be one of her besties. Wondering if an NDA keeps the Michael Strahan details on the down low. Some of the stories are truly long-winded. Glad I could speed up the playback to keep moving - minus 1/2 star. Taking off one additional star for her potty mouth. The number of times she uses the f-bomb is surprising. There is a warning at the beginning about adult content and language.
March 25, 2023
I used to watch Kelly and Mark back in the 90's on All My Children, then Live with Regis and Kelly, so I figured I'd see what she had to offer. It's not a memoir, but she tells her story in the format she calls essays. There were some funny parts and some meh parts. Going to middle of the road it.
Narration:
Kelly Ripa ~ 9 hours 59 minutes
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Narration:
Kelly Ripa ~ 9 hours 59 minutes
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
September 29, 2022
Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love Kelly Ripa. I’ve always said my dream job would allow me to watch Live each morning then go in to work (I’m thriving on maternity leave). So naturally I was thrilled to hear she was writing a book. This collection of essays felt like an extended “host chat” with Kelly and had every bit of her humor and honesty. Like any memoir read by the author, you must listen to this one. It’s not a “tell-all” or super juicy by any means, but instead just a handful of stories about her and her family. If you like Kelly as much as me, you will love it, if you don’t, you should probably skip it.
October 13, 2022
Disappointing memoir.
I thought she was going to talk about her experience on the show. Nope. She mostly focused on her life before she got the "Live with Regis and Kelly" hosting gig and a little bit about her first few months there, but NOTHING ELSE. We know her from the show so to leave it out nearly completely was a very bizarre, intentional and glaring omission.
Instead, she talks about her marriage and family and plastic surgery and meeting Richard Gere at a random party. I kept waiting for her to get to the "good part" and she never did.
I guess if you're a super fan, you may care a lot more about college visits with her kids and the time she took half of a Xanax before a speech, but for the rest of us? This book is a swing and a miss.
I walk away from it wondering why she wrote it. Perhaps it's a love letter to her husband and kids? She did say it's not a memoir, it's a collection of essays. But it actually is a memoir, it just doesn't talk about her career at all. What is it like hosting with Ryan? What keeps her coming back to the show every day? What really went down with Strahan? What's her relationship with Gelman? Who was her favorite celebrity guest? Who is her favorite guest co-host? What was her most embarrassing moment on the show? What is her career advice for younger aspiring talk show hosts?
I can understand why she wouldn't want to speak ill of the show because she's still on it. But she doesn't talk about it at all. Not even the good stuff.
Instead, she tells what I think are supposed to be "hilarious" anecdotes. There are some funny parts, but she isn't nearly as funny as she clearly thinks she is.
Overall, unless you absolutely ADORE Kelly Ripa, this book was mostly a waste of time with no clear reason for writing it.
I thought she was going to talk about her experience on the show. Nope. She mostly focused on her life before she got the "Live with Regis and Kelly" hosting gig and a little bit about her first few months there, but NOTHING ELSE. We know her from the show so to leave it out nearly completely was a very bizarre, intentional and glaring omission.
Instead, she talks about her marriage and family and plastic surgery and meeting Richard Gere at a random party. I kept waiting for her to get to the "good part" and she never did.
I guess if you're a super fan, you may care a lot more about college visits with her kids and the time she took half of a Xanax before a speech, but for the rest of us? This book is a swing and a miss.
I walk away from it wondering why she wrote it. Perhaps it's a love letter to her husband and kids? She did say it's not a memoir, it's a collection of essays. But it actually is a memoir, it just doesn't talk about her career at all. What is it like hosting with Ryan? What keeps her coming back to the show every day? What really went down with Strahan? What's her relationship with Gelman? Who was her favorite celebrity guest? Who is her favorite guest co-host? What was her most embarrassing moment on the show? What is her career advice for younger aspiring talk show hosts?
I can understand why she wouldn't want to speak ill of the show because she's still on it. But she doesn't talk about it at all. Not even the good stuff.
Instead, she tells what I think are supposed to be "hilarious" anecdotes. There are some funny parts, but she isn't nearly as funny as she clearly thinks she is.
Overall, unless you absolutely ADORE Kelly Ripa, this book was mostly a waste of time with no clear reason for writing it.
October 16, 2022
Kelly Ripa was an opportunist when she auditioned for the spot next to Regis. Does anyone remember her sitting and telling the well-rehearsed squirrel story?
To read that she didn't have a relationship with Regis is not a surprise. She used him. Has had little respect for most cohosts. For a girl that started out as a B-rated actress on a soap opera, it seems like she has never really grown as a person. There is not depth to her when she tells her stories in this book. If that incident with Clay from American Idol happened now, she would be canceled. As she should be.
I can't imagine the pain that Regis Philbin's wife and daughters must have felt reading his or seeing her headlines from this. Sometimes our truths should just be kept to ourselves or those close to us. Not by writing a book and making money off it.
To read that she didn't have a relationship with Regis is not a surprise. She used him. Has had little respect for most cohosts. For a girl that started out as a B-rated actress on a soap opera, it seems like she has never really grown as a person. There is not depth to her when she tells her stories in this book. If that incident with Clay from American Idol happened now, she would be canceled. As she should be.
I can't imagine the pain that Regis Philbin's wife and daughters must have felt reading his or seeing her headlines from this. Sometimes our truths should just be kept to ourselves or those close to us. Not by writing a book and making money off it.
October 7, 2022
Rounded up to 4 stars because of how adorable and down to earth this is. The crazy ramblings are hilarious even though disjointed. But I just wanted more. More depth, more details, more background, more personal insights. And more crazy stories. An enjoyable read for sure.
November 30, 2022
Go ahead, call me shallow--but I LOVE Kelly Ripa! Even though I rarely get to actually view "Live with Kelly," I've been aware of Ripa for years and have always been entertained by her quick wit and apparent frankness. Well, this book did NOT disappoint. She claims to have written it entirely without a ghost writer, and if that is indeed true--props to her! Ripa's humor, reality checks and relatable life experiences shine through. Even though I was experiencing a sobering family crisis while in the midst of this, "Live Wire" gave me reason to laugh out loud and take me out of the moment on several occasions. She is open about the privileges she and her husband Mark Consuelos now enjoy due to their wealth and celebrity, as well as the Botox she has freely injected--yet she clearly cherishes her children, values her husband (they've been married for 26 years now--practically a century in the celebrity world) and has never forgotten where she started. You've got to love her for those reasons alone, but you really will love laughing with and at her as she shares scenes from her life. Ripa gives new meaning to the phrase, "Celebrities: They're just like you and me," because in a lot of ways....she really seems to be just that.
October 19, 2022
I'm a fan of Kelly and Live but am disappointed with this book. A lot of it I found boring. When reading a book like this I expect some inside scoop or tidbits of things I didn't know. That doesn't happen. I think I appreciate her humor better with her delivery than it being read. In Kelly's defense she literally has LONG WINDED right on the cover...believe her!
Also if you have conservative values or a reader who likes to keep politics out of their entertainment I would skip this one.
Also if you have conservative values or a reader who likes to keep politics out of their entertainment I would skip this one.
November 18, 2022
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. She can be a lot. But, I laughed my head off and related to so much of her story. The parts about sending kids off into the world made me cry. Any book that can make me laugh and cry is a win and I will read her again if she writes more.
November 6, 2022
I am glad this was a library book. I would not have been happy if I had to pay for it. I did not see any comedy in her book. It was poorly written and she didn't do herself any favors with some of her stories. I was hoping to read more about her sister and her relationship with her. But nothing. I think I liked her a whole lot better before I read the book. These are just my feelings and you may feel differently when you read it.
October 2, 2022
Let me just say I am guilty of watching Live with Kelly and Ryan while I am enjoying my morning coffee. Since her book, "LIVE WIRE: Long-Winded Short Stories,"was discussed often, I was eager for its publication. It is not a memoir, but instead it is a collection of autobiographical essays covering the highs and lows of Ripa’s life. I would have preferred a chronological memoir format instead of her essay version that lacked consistency. Some of the topics she touched upon were her early tabloid relationships, their infamous wedding elopement details, Botox or plastic surgery experiences, and finally their transition to empty nest parenthood. She only briefly touches on her long relationship with Regis and does not mention hot topics such as the show's Michael Strahan’s drama. Her stories were a mixed bag, some captivating, some rather random and not particularly pertinent. Her writing style left me a bit surprised; she seemed to be less poised or self-confident than she appears each morning.
October 2, 2022
Ripa’s hallmark self-deprecating humor about the challenge of drafting her non-memoir book of short stories has a grain of truth—the book fails to meet expectations. Ripa is hysterically funny in moments of these brief stories but they ultimately feel a bit vapid. There is a whole chapter devouted to experiences of traveling around the world and finding natives of New Jersey—what was the ultimate message there? I applaud Ripa for her trademark honesty about topics that are perhaps still taboo, such as post birth vaginal intercourse pain, which sends her to an ER after a fainting spell. However, for a woman who had a fascinating career, I wanted to hear more about what drove her career arch (other than luck) and her philosophy as a TV host. There is a nuance between comedy and seriousness and she seems to forfeit the latter. She seems to have missed the mark (no, not the hot hunky hubby, Mark who gets plenty of attention).
September 28, 2022
I recommend the audio book and listening to Kelly tell her own stories.
Of course I bought this believing it was an autobiography, but the disappointment learning it was not, did not last long. Filled with funny stories-some I laughed out loud to and eagerly waited to hear more. T’was a little disappointed went the book ended—not because the book was disappointing, but because contrary to her beliefs, she is a natural storyteller.
I rarely watch Live and came to know Kelly from watching All My Children. If she ever gets the idea to write down some more of her stories.. I’ll be here to listen, gladly.
Of course I bought this believing it was an autobiography, but the disappointment learning it was not, did not last long. Filled with funny stories-some I laughed out loud to and eagerly waited to hear more. T’was a little disappointed went the book ended—not because the book was disappointing, but because contrary to her beliefs, she is a natural storyteller.
I rarely watch Live and came to know Kelly from watching All My Children. If she ever gets the idea to write down some more of her stories.. I’ll be here to listen, gladly.
October 8, 2022
loooong chapters
whiney
still glad that i finished it
whiney
still glad that i finished it
October 20, 2022
I got close but i ended up not being able to finish this one. I did like how down to earth she seems and Although some stories were interesting and i like Kelly Ripa, we get it: Mark Consuelos is a smoke show but half the book happens to be about that - how hot her husband is. She goes out of her way to mention how charming he is and how he is constantly horny and wants to bone her. It was like listening (Audiobook) to her thirst trap consuelos instagram posts in real life.
Struggling between 2 and 3 ⭐️.
Struggling between 2 and 3 ⭐️.
September 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this honest and often hilarious collection of personal essays from Live host Kelly Rippa. She talks about her marriage, pregnancies, being a working mom, career challenges and so much more. There's a few really funny celebrity anecdotes included too. Great on audio read by the author herself and definitely recommended if you're a fan.
October 22, 2022
Before reading this book, I knew next to nothing about Kelly Ripa (besides the few segments I've watched of Live with Kelly and Ryan). After reading this book I still feel as if I know very little to nothing about her. This book certainly lives up to its title. It is long winded for sure. I was expecting this book to be humorous. Instead, I found this book to be a bit pretentious.
October 17, 2022
I think it would be better if listened to than read. Definitely long winded and not that good
November 21, 2022
Meh 😑 I was disappointed with this book. Just a lot of rambling.
October 24, 2022
Kelly Ripa sure does Iike Kelly Ripa.
October 22, 2022
This review is dedicated to my Mom - who introduced me to Kelly Ripa and kept this TV lady in my life for the last 20+ years, LOL! Yes, my Mom was an All my Children watcher my whole life, so somehow I know all about the characters Haley and Mateo, without really even watching them! Mom also watched Regis and Kathie Lee.......therefore Kelly! So even though I watch nothing regularly...somehow I know a lot about Kelly and Mark and their family! It's actually weird how much I knew listening to this book and only having really caught bits and pieces of the show throughout the years. I guess that's why she remains so popular. My opinion ~you don't have to be a dedicated fan to find this book entertaining. But you do need to get her personality!
Just as she is on her talk show - she is a great story teller. She has a way of combining her celebrity lifestyle, with her family life, and spinning a very relatable story with it - even though it is steeped in luxury and famousness - it still somehow remains love able, charming, and seem very normal!!! I have always felt her vibe was strong on love for her spouse and family. It's obvious they are her world and really an anomaly in the business - sorry to say! My favorite part of the book was her telling the stories of taking her children to college - funny, yet poignant and again so relatable!
I feel like you know her already because she shares so much of her day to day life on her show - and the stories in this book are very much like the things she shares. A few chapters chronicling how certain times of her life really went....getting to tell her side of the story. Not sure why she really wrote the book...since she joked negatively about the process the whole book! But as most of the stories it is quite tongue and cheek in it's delivery and kept my attention - also credit to her as the narrator of the audiobook and even had her husband chime in with his voice on some of his parts!
Just as she is on her talk show - she is a great story teller. She has a way of combining her celebrity lifestyle, with her family life, and spinning a very relatable story with it - even though it is steeped in luxury and famousness - it still somehow remains love able, charming, and seem very normal!!! I have always felt her vibe was strong on love for her spouse and family. It's obvious they are her world and really an anomaly in the business - sorry to say! My favorite part of the book was her telling the stories of taking her children to college - funny, yet poignant and again so relatable!
I feel like you know her already because she shares so much of her day to day life on her show - and the stories in this book are very much like the things she shares. A few chapters chronicling how certain times of her life really went....getting to tell her side of the story. Not sure why she really wrote the book...since she joked negatively about the process the whole book! But as most of the stories it is quite tongue and cheek in it's delivery and kept my attention - also credit to her as the narrator of the audiobook and even had her husband chime in with his voice on some of his parts!
October 8, 2022
This was a fun, light, quick book to read. Because it was written as short essays, I found myself thinking, “just one more chapter, and suddenly it would be three more instead. I feel like if I actually had entire days to myself, I could’ve read the book in one day. I enjoyed her sense of humor and the connection to what it’s like being a mom and a Mom that works outside of the house. Most of it was filled with a great deal of humor until you get to the last chapter when her kids are leaving for college. I then found myself on the verge of tears, understanding the scariness of moving your child far away & the pain of walking away. If she writes another book, I look forward to reading that, too.
October 28, 2022
4.5 - I gotta be honest, I really really enjoyed this book. I loved how Kelly was authentically herself throughout - flaws and all. I felt like I was sitting down to coffee with her to chat. I recommend to anyone who is looking for something to easily digest while gaining funny, wholesome, and heartwarming stories.
April 17, 2023
I frigging loved this.
I've been watching Live for years, and have been a Kelly fan since the Regis days. I once even camped out to get front row seats when they were here on PEI lol I don't know if you would love this as much if you're not a Kelly fan but I could listen to her talk for hours- which I did. Highly recommend the audiobook, and adding this to your TBR.
I've been watching Live for years, and have been a Kelly fan since the Regis days. I once even camped out to get front row seats when they were here on PEI lol I don't know if you would love this as much if you're not a Kelly fan but I could listen to her talk for hours- which I did. Highly recommend the audiobook, and adding this to your TBR.
December 20, 2022
3.5 ⭐s
Live Wire is a collection of stories / essays from different periods throughout Kelly's life. Many of them are about her husband, Mark. It's actually well written for someone with no writing experience. In Live Wire, Ripa is candid, funny, and entertaining. I listened to her narrate the audiobook, and I liked hearing it in her voice (which sounds nothing like I expected it to 😅).
I didn't really know much about Kelly Ripa aside from watching a handful of episodes with her and Regis on Live, back in the day, so I don't think I'm the right audience here.
But this would be a very enjoyable read for Kelly's fans! My mom loves Kelly and continues to watch her every weekday. I think I'll pass this one along to her 💕
Thank you @tlcbooktours and Dey Street Books for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Tour date: Weds Dec 21st. 💕
Live Wire is a collection of stories / essays from different periods throughout Kelly's life. Many of them are about her husband, Mark. It's actually well written for someone with no writing experience. In Live Wire, Ripa is candid, funny, and entertaining. I listened to her narrate the audiobook, and I liked hearing it in her voice (which sounds nothing like I expected it to 😅).
I didn't really know much about Kelly Ripa aside from watching a handful of episodes with her and Regis on Live, back in the day, so I don't think I'm the right audience here.
But this would be a very enjoyable read for Kelly's fans! My mom loves Kelly and continues to watch her every weekday. I think I'll pass this one along to her 💕
Thank you @tlcbooktours and Dey Street Books for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Tour date: Weds Dec 21st. 💕
August 26, 2023
She has miles to go before she catches up to her friend Andy in terms of a writing a delightful memoir-lite. BUT this was enjoyable. I learned that her and Regis really had beef apparently and reconfirmed (again and again) that she’s deeply attracted to her husband. Honestly could’ve used more name-dropping.
October 11, 2023
I really liked Kelly Ripa going into this book but after reading I find her a little whiny and negative. Some chapters were entertaining and provided some good behind the scenes perspective but others were just too wordy and not that good of a story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,764 reviews