Nonfiction Quick Reviews

Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum (2024)

I think many of us would probably say that reality tv is our guilty pleasure, but how did this revolutionary genre of television first come to be?  Emily Nussbaum explores the roots of reality tv, from its beginnings in radio, of all places, to the earliest iterations on television, to the lasting legacy of some of the most famous reality shows.  I love reality tv - the Housewives, cooking competitions, and The Amazing Race are all things I've enjoyed over the years, so this was a truly fascinating read for me.  Through research and interviews with many of the people who created or worked on such shows, Nussbaum gives a comprehensive chronological look at the growth of reality tv.  She devotes in-depth chapters to shows like Survivor and even The Apprentice.  Definitely a must-read for reality tv fans!  4 stars

The Hidden History of the White House by Corey Mead (2024)

The White House, one of the most famous buildings in the United States, has seen a lot over its history.  In this book, Corey Mead has compiled a series of the most interesting, dramatic, and scandalous events that have taken place there.  President Obama's watching of the raid on bin Laden's compound, Winston Churchill's visit with FDR during WWII, and the trashing of the White House during Andrew Jackson's inauguration are just some of the stories told in this collection.  I enjoyed Mead's writing style - it's clear and very easy to read, although in terms of research, I wasn't crazy about the fact that he says up front that some information, such as dialogue, has been "invested or embellished."  Some of the stories I'd read about before, but some were new to me, so I thought it was a good mix and also represented a wide variety of time periods.  An interesting read for fans of American history and also those interested in architecture!  4 stars

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