Book Review: Through the Storm

Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World

By Lynne Spears and Lorilee Craker

Lynne says early in the book: “I’m not terribly exciting, truth be told. But my family has had an exceptional journey—really, a wild ride—and people think they know us from what they read. But they really don’t know us at all.” This is part of the reason why I read this book, it was an attempt to gain an insider’s view on how things evolved from an enviable quick rise to fame followed by a heartbreaking, well publicized fall. I always wondered what are the pressures? What is it really like?

If you are looking for more dirt on Britney and the nitty gritty details, you aren’t going to get it here. This is very much her mother’s memoir. The memoir, at times very organic in terms of storytelling, shows how Lynne and Britney walked through each door opportunity presented until all at once the family had run smack up against fame. At times, the writers build the story on the assumption that the reader is well acquainted with the Spears family and the tabloid news that surrounds them. If you aren’t familiar with the history and the timeline of how Britney rose to fame, it can be frustrating trying to keep up as it jumps around. If I were to pick a favourite scene, it would by far be the scene when Lynne shot up her alcoholic husband’s cooler of beer and wine.

I’m a Thomas Nelson Book Reviewer!

I have to say, I love the Internet and the opportunities it has afforded me lately. It’s sweet!

Today I discovered that I could become a book reviewer for the publisher Thomas Nelson. What that means is that if you have a blog, you can sign up to be a reviewer. Once you’ve signed up, you can choose one of their upcoming books from a small list of your interests. They then ship it to you. You read it, review it (200 words or more) and post it on your blog as well as on Amazon. How sweet is that?

Pretty sweet!

So, for my debut review, I will be covering Lynne Spears’ (with Lorilee Craker) new book Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame, and Family in a Tabloid World.

Now, it will be some time before I get the book and read it. But the review will be right here on my blog. And although I am not a fan of Britney Spears nor have I really followed her story, I must admit that my curiosity has been tweaked by how things have turned out for this family. This book, for me, is an insider’s view on what really happened and I’m sure Lynne is about to dish (at least a little bit): “I’m not terribly exciting, truth be told. But my family has had an exceptional journey—really, a wild ride—and people think they know us from what they read. But they really don’t know us at all.” Exactly! That’s why I’m so curious about her book! And of course, I am also curious due to the whole car crash factor. So stay posted! And if you have your own blog, come build your library, it is a fantastic deal for the publisher and for you!