Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee

by Hoda Kotb

Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, and Kathie Lee is a memoir of lessons Hoda Kotb has learned along her journey, from breast cancer survivor to Today Show anchor.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, New York, Adult

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2010

About the author

Hoda Kotb is an American television news anchor. Both of Kotb's parents are from Egypt. Along with her parents, she has also lived in Nigeria.

Reviews

[Donna McBroom-Theriot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had many opportunities to be in the same room, at the same function, and to speak with Hoda Kotb throughout the last seventeen years or so. She has been the guest at many club functions and the guest speaker at others.

I can still remember my first encounter with Hoda. I met up with her to escort her to an event that I was chairing where she had agreed to be the guest speaker. She was so bubbly and friendly, and was never quiet! If she wasn’t talking, she was humming. She immediately captivated me. She has the ability to draw an audience in and hold them captive, no one wants to miss a word of what she is saying.

So, when she mentioned her book on the Today Show, I knew there was no way I was not going to read it. When I picked up the book to read it, before I even opened the cover, I was hoping that it would be like having a conversation with her. I was not disappointed. Her humor comes through ten-fold. It was like catching up with an old friend. So, Hoda, if you ever come across my review, I am a friend of Laura’s (in South Louisiana because I’m sure you will not remember me!)

I hope you enjoyed the quotes (I wanted to quote the entire book) and it makes you want to pick up the book and read it. If you enjoy watching Hoda on the Today Show, you will enjoy reading this book.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm only about 1/3 of the way into it. She can be very funny. I was impressed that it was only after 27 rejections that she got a news job on her 28th audition. Most people would have given up long before the 27th rejection. Skipped chapters on political assignments and sports stuff-just doesn't interest me. Overall, some sections were very funny, but generally boring. I hope to remember however, how the man on the plane told her not to hog her journey. He said she can go to her grave with her journey or share it with other people. This prompted her to speak out about her experience with breast cancer.

[Sue Seligman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I am home for the summer, I have occasionally tuned into the 4th hour of the Today Show with Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb...quite a difference from the earlier hard news focus of the first couple of hours. I was familiar with both correspondents, KLG from Regis, and Hoda from her work on Dateline. I admire Hoda and always enjoyed and learned from her pieces. She wrote this memoir about her life as a child of Egyptian immigrants and her journey from childhood through adulthood which encompassed many moves, death of her father, and her growth as a professional journalist. Of course, the most difficult time of her life came simultaneously...her diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, and the end of her marriage. Now as I watch the show, I see two women who are actually friends as well as colleagues, and although many people may view the show as "fluff", it is an enjoyable escape from the terrible news events which have been dissected and discussed during the earlier part of the show. An interesting and quick read.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always like Hoda Kotb and this quick memoir made me like her even more. I really enjoyed her style of writing; I felt I was watching a "Dateline" episode from start to finish. This wasn't a look at how wonderful I am type of memoir. She shared all aspects of her life: from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs.

Two take-aways from Hoda: "Fall face up" and "Don't hog your journey"

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Hoda's on-air presence, especially her banter with Kathie Lee Gifford, one of my favorites. (don't hate, LOL!)
I picked up this book and read it quickly, devouring the pages devoted to her close-knit, Egyptian family. I was taken by the close relationship she had with her siblings, relationships that she has maintained into her adulthood.
Hoda and I are the same age, so I could relate to her stories of growing up and some of the cultural references she spoke about were familiar to me.
Traveling through her young adulthood and subsequent breast cancer diagnosis and her battle with it was certainly sad, yet interesting. Her fighting spirit and the love of her family and friends figured very prominently into her remission.
The only problem I had with the book was that through her outspokenness about her cancer, I had already known much of what she had written. It was quite entertaining; however, for me to learn more about her friendship with KLG and the entire Gifford clan.
A good read about a very interesting woman.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one of those autobios that I want to give a 3.5 (why don't you do half-stars, goodreads????). I absolutely love Hoda, especially after reading this book. It's hard not to as she comes off a warm, open and inviting person (and I'm convinced that she is). The book pretty much takes you on her career path, sprinkled in with accounts of her loving family and deep, connected relationships she has with her friends.

Again, I ask, how could you not love Hoda?

P.S. Three stars because it was a good read, but not in an OMG-YOU-HAVE-READ-THIS-B/C-YOUR-LIFE-WILL-CHANGE type of way.

[Taryn Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read, it was so interesting reading about Hoda's life. Her career is everything I look for as a broadcast journalism major, just minus the heartbreak and cancer. An inspirational story, and even better that I got it signed!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Very easy and quick read, but very interesting. Hoda is a quite a character and there is so much more to her than I realized.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, light fangirl stuff.

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ - organization of the book was slightly confusing and it would have been nice to have the story unfold chronologically, but very engaging and a nice read

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore this woman and this book is compulsively read-able. Love the signed copy I got for Christmas.

[Alison Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Hoda!

[Amy Hartleroad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I sat down and opened it up, I couldn’t put it down. I watch Hoda every morning on The Today show and her book reads just like she is every morning- silly, witty and positive. 4/5 stars from me!

[Amy Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Hoda! Just reading her adventure of life was so inspiring & at times scary. She is a true inspiration to all women.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't known much about Hoda before reading this book, as I wasn't much paying attention to the news as she was making her climb to the Today show. I really enjoyed this one. It was easy to read. Throughout her troubles, Hoda has managed to keep positive, which I admire.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

HODA is about Hoda Kotb's rise to fame, and all the struggles she has had to face throughout her life, from making friends to surviving the world of journalism. The book is written with such passion that I truly felt like I was living my life with her as she recalled all these memories. I loved the writing style, and it helped me get through most of the flight home from the Washington Journalism and Media Conference that I attended last week. Hoda was a speaker there, and we were recommended to read at least one book from a list of books/articles that our speakers had written. Being the lazy person that I am, I didn't bother reading the books (who wants to search for a book at the bookstore when you have ten at home?), so I bought the book the day before Hoda Kotb was to speak. I read through the first page and was instantly hooked. Just, the feelings that she shoved into this book are large in quantity and quality, and really sucked me into her life. We had an opportunity for Hoda to sign our books, and I added mine to the pile (who doesn't want a signature from such a lovely person?).
I didn't actually get time to read until I was at the Washington-Dulles airport in Virginia. My flight had been delayed half an hour, and so I sat in the waiting area and read through the first twenty pages in those thirty minutes. I paused to board the plane, and then continued to read. My flight was 5 hours and 30 minutes long, and I managed to finish this book with two hours to spare (plus minor interruptions--the person who sat in the middle seat kept going to the bathroom).
Hoda's tale is truly moving. I felt myself tearing up in a lot of parts (like when she discovered she had cancer while also finding out that her husband was cheating on her), so much that I'm pretty sure the lady-that-sat-next-to-me-who-kept-going-to-the-bathroom thought I was crazy.
Overall, there were some parts that I felt could have been organized better, which is why it doesn't get a full-star rating. She sometimes digressed from what she was talking about so far that I forgot what the original topic was until she went back to it. Her side stories are interesting, though, so they made up for the sometimes slight confusion when switching topics.
I recommend this to anyone and everyone. (She does swear in the book a couple of times, something I found highly amusing, but maybe you don't care much for? I DON'T KNOW. But still, you should really read this book. READ IT. It will truly give you something to think about afterwards.)

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so rarely am home for the 4th hour of The Today Show, but when I am home, I actually enjoy the mess that is the Kathie Lee and Hoda hour. But before reading this book, I had no idea who, exactly, Hoda Kotb was and how she became the person is--able to deal with Kathie Lee on a daily basis!

An easy read--I knocked off most of this book over dinner one night--but full of interesting tidbits gleaned from decades in broadcast journalism.

- The Times-Picayune of New Orleans began a post-Katrina project to rebuild recipe collections lost in the hurricane and published a cookbook with all their submissions. [Must find this cookbook.]

- ASK FOR THINGS. "There are employees who wait to be noticed. Maybe you work with someone who does. Maybe you wait yourself. I used to. I figured if I did my job well on Dateline, my bosses would see and I would be rewarded. I never asked for a promotion. Maybe I was afraid to ask. Afraid to be rejected." (201)

- Dating and relationships are rough. I appreciate her candidness: "Someone breaks your heart and your trust, so you put up walls. Even though you shouldn't you see flashing danger signs all over the person sitting across the table." (256)

- I love this, even though I'd never in a million years be brave enough to ask this: "So, here's the question I sometimes ask men I've been dating for a few weeks: 'If I lined up all the women you've had significant relationships with, what would they all say is the common reason the relationship didn't work?'" (259)

Bizarre factoid: Kathie Lee's second musical premiered at Signature.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got into biography/autobiography mood lately. My latest is NBC TV personality Hoda Kotb. Found out some interesting things, she is of Egyptian heritage, has survived breast cancer and is a very loyal friend.

Her journey from college journalism to co-host on the Today Show's fourth hour is quite a trip. She loves working with Kathy Lee Gifford, who she calls one of the hardest working people she knows! Although she mentions all of the other people who work on Today, she doesn't linger on them, this is truly a book about Hoda and her life's journey, not a biography meant to drop as many names as possible. It isn't possible for her to talk about her work without mentioning some of the famous people she has interviewed but it isn't the focus of the book. The only interview that seems to have totally blown her away was Beyonce. Since she started out on Dataline she has always done a lot of traveling, much of which has taken her into parts of the world that are dangerous and scary.

I loved the part on "bad hair", apparently having very thick and naturally curly dark hair is a problem. Personally I liked a lot of the shots of her on what she called "bad hair days". But then I don't have to deal with it!

This one was pretty light and breezy, other than the breast cancer section in which she was very serious and opened up on just how hard it is to go though that horrible experience.

I enjoyed the book, it was easy to read and I did feel like she was being pretty open on almost every topic.

She has a 2nd book out now and I've requested it from my Public Library. Will be interesting to see her tackle different subjects.

[Cathy Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always liked Hoda Kotb. She's smart and funny and different from the usual run of TV news readers. So I was glad that she wrote this little book... These kinds of memoirs from strong and successful women can be a pleasure to read and as long as I can avoid comparing myself unfavorably to the writer, there is usually something to learn.

Here's what I learned about Hoda: she was rejected 27 times before she landed her first job at a local TV station. Twenty seven times she put herself out there, sent in a resume, interviewed or auditioned, only to be turned away. A person has to want something awfully badly to put themselves through that. Since that first local news director took a chance on her, of course, her career progressed to the point where we all know her. And somewhere out there are 27 news directors kicking themselves for not seeing her talent. The best revenge is living well.

I also gave this book to my mom recently. Part of Hoda's story is that she overcame breast cancer, which Mom is going through at the moment. She read it in the week leading up to her lumpectomy and she says she enjoyed it. We like it that that part of Hoda's story is set into the context of a rich and full life - a pain-in-the-ass blip more than a drama-filled crisis. We can relate to that.

So - Hoda's story is inspiring and her writing is witty and fun to read. Two thumbs up!

[Carol Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never heard of Hoda Kotb until 2015. (Clearly, I don't watch enough television!) I picked up the book, saw that she was Egyptian and I was all in! I had just been part of an Egyptian-American wedding and found the Egyptian family and guests as winsome as any people I've met.

Hoda has a charming writing voice and tells lively stories. She was born in Oklahoma, but her family went back to Egypt every summer. Sampling a different culture wasn't the chance of a lifetime, it was just summertime. She gathers tales from her travels around the world, but especially shines when she relates the aftermath of Katrina in New Orleans. Breast cancer and divorce arrive in tandem; she is blessedly closed about the divorce but very open about cancer.

As I imagine her 'fourth hour' with Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda is careful not to offend anyone and finds many reasons to laugh at herself. A good, light read.

I love music.
For me, music is morning coffee.
It's mood medicine.
It's pure magic.
A good song is like a good meal — I just want to inhale it and share a bite with someone else.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been holding onto this book for a few weeks. I decided it was an easy day read and finished it in a few hours. It was slow moving at first but got interesting after she started talking about the different places she has been as a news correspondent. I had a good cry when she recounted her award winning piece she did on a young lady who participated in the Teach for America program for a year. I had a bad cry when she told about going back to her beloved New Orleans to report on the devastations of Hurricane Katrina. Then I had a laugh out loud moment when she needed to change out of her dirty shirt to a clean one to give an updated report from New Orleans. She had no where to change and she just did it in the car. At the moment she took off her shirt, a bus full of people drove by and someone yelled, "Hodie Kodie....we see your titties!"

In all it was a good read. I've learned things about this woman that I've only seen a few times on TV. She has survived some dangerous situations and survived breast cancer.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoda Kotb writes her inspirational autobiography in style.

I've always enjoyed watching Hoda on the Fourth Hour of the Today Show. She always seems lively and fun. She brings the same vivaciousness to her work, and especially to her life story. She goes through her years growing up, her family, her hair (oh how she talks about her hair. It's a part of her family), her search for a job and her way up through the ranks at NBC.

I'm usually not a big biography or autobiography person. I've tried to read some based on my favorite people, but they didn't hold my attention like this one did. It was nice, because it felt like Hoda was telling you her story. It was very conversational, light and airy, even though she did touch on some dark themes, including her father's death, her divorce and her breast cancer (the last two happened during the same year!).

If you've ever watched Hoda and KLG and wondered what they're really like, now is your chance to read up and find out. Good read, especially for fans of the show.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

So close to finishing what's nothing more than a vanity piece and never should've seen the light of day other than in the hands of family and friends. I like Hoda, but she's not funny, though she obviously thinks she is, and possibly could've been, had her "with" person done a good job. They didn't. It's a journalistically formatted book because that's how Hoda writes. Because that's who Hoda essentially is. A journalist. It also grew to be a huge annoyance in that every few pages she "endorsed" brand names--why? Why didn't she just say "a pack of cigarettes" instead of "...Marlboro Lights..."? Why did she feel she needed to tell us the brand of sneakers she wore during an assignment rather than simply saying "sneakers"? And on and on and on. It fairly soon became just slimy. This is a collection of "mini stories," providing a brief, concise who, what, when, where, why, and how. Disappointing, the most interesting stories were the shortest.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very light autobiography of the cohost of the 4th hour of the Today morning show with Kathi Lee Gifford. It is fun, easy to read and tells about her parents life in Cairo, Egypt. Hoda is born in
OKlahoma; her parents marry in Cairo and then come to the U.S.
She is the product of a happy childhood and visited Egypt every summer, where she played on the banks of the Nile and the pyramids.
she tells about becoming a journalist, going to war zones, her divorce, surviving cancer and finally being paired with Kathi Lee.
This book was a total diversion from "Freedom" and at best it is pleasant.
Barbara F.

[Gretchen Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom read this book & gave it to me to read. Finished it on the plane during a work trip this weekend. LOVED it! I am a huge fan now & hope she writes another book. She is so normal & funny, she includes a great baklava recipe, and has some great advice that has been passed down to her over the years. Some of my faves -- "Fall on your back - because if you fall on your back, you can see up. And if you can see up, you can get up. And you can keep going and going and going and going.", and as for surviving a tragedy or illness you in your life, after you pass it and something else comes along, since you have survived once before -- "You can't scare me!", and "Move forward". Love it!!

[Marisa Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir by reporter and Today Show host, Hoda Kotb. It is a lite, fast read and is written in a very down to earth tone. She tells the story of her rise within the news ranks to her current stint with Kathie Lee. Along the way, you hear stories that are both sad and uplifting such as has her coverage of her hometown, New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina. She also tells of her bout with cancer, her masectomy and her way of looking forward through all that happened. Very inspirational. And yes, she does talk about her bad hair....ALOT!....but I think it is what makes her so endearing. A very classy lady!

[Bill Glose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Told in the same breezy manner as her morning talk show, the former Alexandria, VA resident and Virginia Tech student Hoda Kotb describes her rise through the ranks of TV news to become a co-host of the fourth hour of NBC’s Today Show alongside Cathie Lee Griffin. Much of the book is dedicated to how she juggles the various components of her life: the silly antics of being a talk show host, the heart-wrenching stories of the serious journalist, and the tribulations of everyday life, focusing on such things as dating, family life, and hair trouble. A fast read that will be fun if you're a fan of her show and painful if you're not.

[Lisa Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The daughter of Egyptian parents; Emmy award winner Hoda Kotb has always been a refreshing presence in television reporting and now in the morning with KLG. Frankly, I tune into the 4th hour of the Today show just for her. Beautiful, intelligent, funny and self deprecating; this is her story thus far as she recently turned 50 in August. She shares her journey through her jobs in television, her personal struggles with marriage and cancer and she shares life with dear friends and family. There is nothing not to like here. Complete with occasional black and white photos; the radiant casual cover shot sums up how you will feel after reading HODA.

[Colleen Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoda just puts a really great and normal face to the breast cancer fight that many of us have had to endure or will. She gives very believable, simple and down to earth advice on surviving life in general mixed with humor and the incredible life she has led in the spotlight. I also love how very appreciative she is of her family and friends. FORWARD.

[Nique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book. I think Hoda is hilarious on tv & I loved her positivity in this book. Even when she was struggling with cancer, she found a way to put the experience in a positive light by telling of the love of her friends & family.

It was a quick read & totally worth it!