You look so much better in person : true stories of absurdity and success /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Today coanchor Al Roker presents an entertaining guide to achieving a life of happiness and success through the power of "yes!"

These days, the road to success can feel jampacked with scheduling, networking, nonstop hustle, and flat-out absurdity. And no one knows that better than Al Roker--beloved cohost of The Today Show , weatherperson extraordinaire, and the man we all secretly wish we could turn to for wisdom and wisecracks in our everyday lives. From his college days as a polyester suit-clad weather forecaster in Syracuse to battling and buttering up the "Butter Man" during the legendary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Al has learned worthwhile lessons over a long, successful career. And now, for the first time, Al is ready to unleash savvy advice on how to embrace happiness and the power of saying "yes," alongside a host of humorous tips and tricks about how to succeed in life.

In You Look So Much Better in Person , Al teaches us how we can weather the storm of life, no matter how torrential the downpour, and shares anecdotes from his own treasure trove of memories in the spotlight. And it hasn't always been easy--believe it or not, even Al has been yelled at by his boss, suffered an emotional breakdown at work, and been told he'd be better suited in another position. Within these pages, he looks back on his own career and shares valuable "Altruisms" that can be applied to our own endeavors, such as how to:

Navigate the special hell that is socializing Craft the perfect comeback line during a confrontation--and know when to use it Get up early and actually make the most of your time Cry at work without freaking people out And much, much more! Packed to the brim with cackle-inducing and cringeworthy behind-the-scenes insights and observations from over four decades in the media, this book reminds us all that long-term success in our personal lives and our careers is just within reach. You Look So Much Better in Person will leave you laughing out loud, inspired, and comforted during life's best and worst moments.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. 1)
• Altruism #1 Assumptions Are NOT Your Friend (p. 3)
• Altruism #2 If You're Gonna Cry, Know How to Cry (p. 23)
• Altruism #3 Keep Your Day Job (p. 37)
• Altruism #4 Know the Cards and Play Your Best Hand (p. 49)
• Altruism #5 You Encounter More Personalities Than People (p. 57)
• Altruism #6 A Spoonful of Humor Helps Everything Go Down (p. 75)
• Altruism #7 Madness without a Reason Is Straight-Up Insanity (p. 83)
• Altruism #8 Get Your Piece of the Pie (p. 95)
• Altruism #9 Crying in Your Oatmeal-Soy-Almond Latte Never Helps Anything (p. 111)
• Altruism #10 Get Up an Hour Before You Need To (p. 123)
• Altruism #11 Don't Goober Smoocher (p. 133)
• Altruism #12 Unless You're *Literally* the Sun, Work Doesn't Revolve Around You (p. 147)
• Altruism #13 You Don't Need to Be the Top Banana (p. 157)
• Altruism #14 Don't Freak Out (p. 169)
• Altruism #15 Never Say No and Say Yes (p. 185)
• Altruism #16 Build Your Own A-Team (p. 199)
• Acknowledgments (p. 215)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

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. (July)

Booklist Review

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.

Kirkus Book Review

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 (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Al Roker is a coanchor of NBC's Today , an Emmy-award winning journalist, and a New York Times bestselling author. He lives in New York with his family.