Going There by Katie Couric

The initial press I read about this book was so mean it almost discouraged me from reading it. But I’m very glad I ignored that chatter, and read this book from cover to cover. It is fast-paced, honest, exciting, poignant and a fantastic read. Katie Couric is an icon, a pioneer and a trailblazer, and her story is one we should all appreciate and applaud. The memoir details her professional life in front of the camera on “The Today Show” and later on “CBS Evening News.” In the book she also shares never-before told stories of her private life with her late husband, Jay, and their two young daughters, Ellie and Carrie. During her tenure on “The Today Show,” her husband Jay Monahan was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. We remember when she struggles to do her job, raise her young girls and support her husband through this cancer diagnosis that to her was almost too sad to admit and discuss privately. When Jay suddenly dies at 42 years old, Katie does an amazing thing: She decides to let cameras film her own colonoscopy to help spread awareness for early detection and prevention of the disease. While I was reading this book, I was also watching the latest season of Apple TV’s “The Morning Show,” starring Jennifer Anniston and Steve Carell. I could not help but draw parallels between the television series and the relationship between Katie and her former co-host Matt Lauer, and the scandal that brought him down. Katie deftly depicts the Matt she knew, and the Matt she did not know. The book also is quite a well-written chronicle of our history over the last 40 years, including military conflicts, 9/11 and the death of Princess Diana. Some of the most honest and open passages in the book are about Katie and how she starts to date again after her husband’s death. She describes her suitors, some favorably, and some not – like the famous television producer who broke up with her over text message. “Going There” is a terrific behind-the-scenes tour inside network TV news, and it is not to be missed. Lesson learned: sometimes you have to ignore reviews in order to be your own best critic. To buy this book on Amazon click here.