Customer Reviews

Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

Well I HAVE read this book and despite the claims of those that loved it, my bad reaction to Star's writing has nothing to do with jealousy. I just didn't see anything new or revolutionary in her advice or guidance...it all just feels like a re-tread of familiar territory, dumbed down to the lowest common denominator.

If Star positioned this book as her autobiography, then it would be more palatable. But she is touting it as a self-help guide and that is just laughable. She is not qualified to advise others on any topic beyond shopping, weaves and footwear.

Good for her for shedding the weight, good for her for realising she was killing herself with her lifestyle, and good for her for finding a man who is willing to live with her. But none of that means she has gained any special wisdom that is worth imparting, or that will help today's woman with today's problems. That's just her ego fueling her ambition at the expense of having anything meaningful to say.

When will publishing houses realize that when it comes to relationship advice, Hollywood is the LAST place those of us in the real world will look for advice? It's like taking how-to-run-a-successful-company advice from Ken Lay or Bernie Ebbers. The Hollywood track record for relationships is abysmal, at best.

Just for giggles, I had to read this book. So I got it from the library. I expect it to be in next year's book sale (if not sooner), next to the Y2K preparation books they haven't been able to sell, let alone give away.

Many of you know that Star Jones is one of the most shameless self-promoters out there (i.e. her wedding as publicized from The View and the red carpet), and this book is yet another attempt for her to tell you how much better she is than you. Not so much to help you, the reader; but to make her feel better about herself.

So, when you consider the source, is anyone with a lick of common sense buying the relationship advice in this book? I know that Al's sexual orientation has come under fire over the past few years, but the painfully awkward awakening-of-love passages, which I suppose are supposed to be sensuous, come off as goofy and bizarre -- they won't be changing anyone's opinion:

"The first time he held me in his arms sexually, it was almost frightening because we knew our erotic interest in each other could take over every other thing."

Tsss! Hot! Yeah.

You have to keep in mind that Star and Al have only been married a little over one year. Yet she feels she's qualified to tell you how to find an everlasting love. And the love and sex workshop section of the book. After only one year of marriage? Seriously. You have to be kidding me.

Star is very up front with her obsession over material goods. My, oh my! Money, money, money, money. We all have more than enough money, don't we? And all the wealth, power, and prestiege that comes with success. Wealth, she has. Congratulations. But power and prestiege? She thinks she has it, but as other reviewers have said, we're not buying it.

Star, Star, Star... If you really buy what you're trying to sell in this book, apply it to yourself. You've got some real soul searching ahead of you.

This was a very disturbing book to go through. It seemed as though the author was trying desperately to get attention by any means, even if that meant antagonizing her readers, plain and simple!

My daughter wanted to read this book and I am glad I screen everything she plans on reading.

This HAS to be a joke. I'm torn between flaming this book for how ignorant it is and laughing at how ridiculous it is.

The writer simply rehashes old advice. Also, I think it is wise to be honest with yourself while writing a self-help book, because one of the goals is to enable the reader be more truthful with themselves. How can a book pretend to be giving useful advice if the writer just tells us the few, possibly made up stories that she wants us to know?

I'm immediately selling my copy of Shine, if someone is gullible enough to buy it. Really, don't waste your time or money.

I tried very hard to like this book and look for something good in it. I guess if you've never dated, you might find it a good primer for getting started. But even that's a stretch.

I don't see honesty from Star. [...] she changes her story too often and is inconsistent in how she presents her views or experiences. I think she wants to be something she's not, and that's the face she's presenting. This book is a whitewash over the reality of Star's life and I think we deserve a little more respect from an author asking us for money...

I approached this book with an open mind. I love The View and am very impressed with Star Jones Reynolds and her transformation over the past year. I was fascinated to know what she did.

Well, don't expect to find out her real beauty secrets when you read this book. She does tell the average working person to wear flattering make-up and to buy clothes cheaply and to make sure they fit (?) but I was more interested in her new teeth and hair and how she gets her eyebrows to look the way they do now. I also wanted to know her REAL weight loss secrets but was told to see my doctor and not give up the foods I love.

Okay, maybe the rest of the book can be of some help.

The spirituality element of the book is a bit off putting. In spite of trying to pretend the rest of us non-Christians have options, it really is hard to believe she means it. Christianity' seems to be such a huge influence in her life that she comes off as a tad high and mighty and extremely close-minded when it comes to whose God is the right God. It didn't feel sincere to me.

The chapter on finances is also puzzling. Why did her husband write it? Star is the one who knows how to make the money in the family. This man doesn't even hold a job and is completely supported by her. They have a wonderful lifestyle (lucky guy!) but it is HER money. I would never trust his opinion, but I would trust Star's since she seems to know how to get lucrative contracts and deals. Unfortunately again, Star doesn't divulge, but it was nice of her to let Al have a chapter. It is obvious how much she adores him.

I truly believe Star has wisdom to share, in-spite of her narcissism ... but unfortunately she just wasn't honest and open enough to tell us the real deal.

Save your money. I still like The View and will continue to watch but I don't think this book is very helpful.

As an avid reader I was simply shocked by the absurb and selfish writing's by Ms.Star Jones-Reynolds. Her book is filled with pompous arrogance and childish advice that literally made me sick.

In my opinion, this book is not worth $[...]. Heck it is not even worth a penny.

"Shine" is simply a waste of money and time. Instead of buying Jones-Reynolds book I would suggest you pick up the latest copy of MAD Magazine instead. Far more intelligent and thoughtful than than this book.

I read this book in two days and have to say it doesn't merit the glowing reviews some people are lavishing on it here. I expected that someone who has gone through life's trials the way that Star has would have far deeper insights into what it takes to overcome them. The examples given in this book are pretty self-serving and seem to address people of Star's wealth and need for materialistic things. It doesn't address the common woman who is trying to navigate the tricky waters of relationships.

I expected more and didn't get it. This book left me with as many questions as I had before I read it and that's not a testament to self-help at all. Amazon has lots of great books on the subject so look elsewhere if you really want to sort out your love life.

I wanted to like this book. But it was so poorly written that I'm convinced if it were some non-famous person's book, it wouldn't have even been considered for publication. Do not waste your time or money on this.

The premise of this book is disturbing - your life won't be complete unless you find a man. Despite being an educated and successful woman, Star Jones was unable to find emotional and spiritual peace until she found someone to provide it for her. Star's spiritual journey seems to have nothing to do with inner peace and self-fulfillment. Rather, it seems to be all about "finding a man" and hording material possessions.

If you want an inspirational tale from someone you can relate to and admire, I really recommend you give this book a miss.