You Look So Much Better in Person

May 1, 2020
Sage advice from the much-loved TV weatherman. Sharing a host of lively anecdotes, Roker, longtime weather forecaster on NBC's Today show, reflects on what he's learned from his undeniably successful career. Each chapter offers what he calls an "Altruism"--e.g., "If You're Gonna Cry Know How To Cry," or "You Don't Need To Be the Top Banana." The author recounts the highlights of his working life from his beginnings in upstate New York. A self-described "AV Club dork" in high school, he took his first professional gig at a local station in Syracuse. After two years, he was recruited to Washington, D.C., where veteran weatherman Willard Scott took him under his wing; when he was offered a job at an NBC affiliate in Cleveland, he jumped at the chance. Although Cleveland had a history of racial strife, Roker says he never experienced racism at work until one colleague made an offhand racist remark. "I chose to defend myself with humor," Roker writes, an example of his overall attitude to "roll with the punches" and learn to deal with different personality types. Sometimes, he thinks, it's better to let things go than to make a fuss. In any case, "when it comes to my challenges," he admits, "weight trumped race." Roker counsels readers to keep themselves open to new experiences: "Keep life interesting--explore ALL your talents and then some." His inclination to say yes to opportunities brought him to Manhattan for what should have been a part-time job at NBC; but when Today's weatherman left, Roker took the helm: "Move in the direction the wind takes you." Among his many joys are early rising (time alone is a great gift) and his marriage to the gregarious Deborah Roberts, a TV journalist at ABC. Ebullient revelations of a contented life.

COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 18, 2020
Today cohost Roker (Ruthless Tide) recalls his 40-year broadcasting career in a sweet memoir sprinkled with homespun advice. A Queens, N.Y., native, Roker talks excitedly about working as a weekend weatherperson in Syracuse in the 1970s while still attending college; taking a job in Washington, D.C., then in Cleveland, Ohio, where he had his first weekday gig in a major market; and returning to N.Y.C. to work first at WNBC, the local news channel, then at the Today show. A self-described nerd who has a stuffed animal collection in his office, Roker specializes in light on-air banter, and the book’s tone mirrors his TV personality. He’s most amusing when he shares goofy career mishaps, like the time he wore contact lenses instead of eyeglasses during a broadcast and blinked so much that concerned viewers started calling in, or the one and only time he slept through his alarm and was almost late for his Today segment (the incident made the news the next day). Throughout, Roker shares innocuous bits of advice (always work hard, he stresses) and encouragement (“It doesn’t matter that you’re not the star; it matters that you’re part of the constellation”). This sunny, pleasant book is perfect for Roker fans or anyone in need of a quick pick me up.

May 1, 2020
Popular weatherman and author Roker (Ruthless Tide, 2018) doesn't believe in long-range forecasts for either the weather or life. In this entertaining combination of memoir and self-help, Roker shares lessons he's learned as he made his way up from small-market TV stations to New York and The Today Show. He credits his non-plan approach of working hard, being patient, focusing on what really matters, getting good at what he does, and working with a talented team for his success. In each chapter, Roker uses an epigrammatic title?"Keep Your Day Job," "Get Up an Hour Before You Need To," "Don't Freak Out"?as a hook to recall events in his professional and personal life, including auditions, coping with challenging people, and appearing on Broadway. Roker writes like he talks. He's funny, self-effacing, and thoughtful. His advice is the kind most moms would give: treat other people well; do your job to the best of your ability; appreciate your coworkers; and remember what's really important in life. Advice the world always needs to hear. Roker's popularity will make this an easy recommendation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)