Real Talk: Celebrity Advice Books
Tips of love, fitness and life from our favorite stars.
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Secrets of the Southern Bell, Phaedra Parks - Celebrities have seen more, dated more, experienced more and suffered more than the average person, so who better to write advice books than those who have come away from fame relatively unscathed? Our roundup starts with Atlanta’s resident southern belle, Phaedra Parks. In her new book, out Nov. 12, the Real Housewives of Atlanta star offers her quintessential tips on everything from fashion tips to what to look for in a gentleman suitor. Don’t be surprised if you pick up her sweet, southern drawl by the time you finish reading. The Message: With the right preparation, you’ll never have an off-moment. (Photo: Gallery Books)
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Carry-On Baggage: Our Nonstop Flight, Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas - From money woes to a wedding that almost didn't happen, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey and husband Peter Thomas have had their relationship tested many times but managed to hang on through the turbulence. They tackle the core challenges of marriage after age 40 and how they learned to accept one another, flaws and all. The Message: Love isn’t an easy road, but it can be the greatest adventure of your life. (Photo: Griffin Scott Press, LLC)
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The Vegucation of Robin: How Real Food Saved My Life, Robin Quivers - After privately battling endometrial cancer last year, the radio host and longtime sidekick of Howard Stern says she is today cancer-free, thanks in part to a vegan diet. She shares how she overcame food addiction and a history of poor health before changing her diet (and life!) for the better. The Message: It’s never too late to start fresh. (Photo: Avery)
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It's Hard to Fight Naked, Niecy Nash - Nash gives us a guided tour through her many heartbreaks and breakups right to her happy ending with a man who's now her husband. Along the way, she offers straight-talk advice about staying positive, even when you hit rock bottom.The Message: A little positivity goes a long way. (Photo: Gallery Books)
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The Love Playbook, La La Anthony - Due out in January 2014, expect everything from relationship advice to first date fashion tips. La La Anthony is a superwoman. The Message: Do you, but don't forget about him. (Photo: Celebra Publishing)
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Oh, Baby!, Tia Mowry - Already an actress, reality star, entrepreneur and wife when she got pregnant, Mowry didn't spend her nine months on the couch with pints of ice cream. The actress, who was supposed to be back in lingerie on The Game a mere five weeks after giving birth, shares her secrets to a healthy pregnancy and how to hold on to the glow well after delivery. The Message: No one will tell you the truth about pregnancy quite like someone who just went through it. (Photo: Avery Publishing)
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Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve Harvey - By now a classic immortalized by a hit romantic comedy, Harvey's book has become a must-read for women trying to get a ring on it and a worst nightmare for men just trying to get it. Behind Harvey's sometimes old-fashioned view of relationships are some unsettling truths and a lot of solid advice. The Message: Don't give away The Cookie or you'll be left with the crumbs. (Photo: Amistad Publishing)
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Manology, Tyrese Gibson and Rev Run - They say there are two types of men in the world: "Dads," or the rock-solid guys who will raise your children and love you, sweatpants and all, and "Cads," the natural born players who are always looking over your shoulder for the next new thing. Written by single dad Tyrese and married father-of-six Rev Run, Manology offers a perspective on relationships from both types.The Message: One size doesn't fit all when it comes to men. (Photo: Touchstone)
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Make It Last Forever, Keith Sweat - Not just the name of an R&B song, Make It Last Forever is Sweat's plea to get couples to do what romantic ballads have been doing for years: communicate their feelings. The author stresses the importance of compatibility, a lesson he sadly hasn't learned in his own personal life. The twice-divorced father of four is currently single. The Message: When in doubt, talk it out. (Photo: Strebor Books)
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Love Him or Leave Him, Loni Love - Other relationship books can teach you how to read his mind or manipulate him into wifing you up, but Loni Love's down-to-earth guide is all about taking care of you. The talk show host encourages women to love themselves and treat themselves at least as well as they treat their men. The Message: R.E.S.P.E.C.T., find out what it means to you. (Photo: Simon & Schuster Publishing)
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Love and War, Tamar Braxton and Vince Herbert - We've seen the good, bad and ugly of Tamar and Vince on their reality show, and now they've put it all in a book. Due out next year, Love and War takes a look at how these opposites attract and how their faith has kept their marriage strong.The Message: God is the best marriage counselor.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for BET)
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Formula 50, 50 Cent - Want abs like Fiddy? Be prepared to work for 'em. In this diet and exercise manual, the rapper gives us the key to his fit physique (about two million crunches) and focused mind. The Message: Pumping iron isn't just for meatheads. (Photo: Avery Publishing)
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Come to Win, Venus Williams - This tennis legend turned swinging a racket into a multi-million dollar empire and now she's showing us how the lessons from sports can be applied to business. Williams also interviews other successful entrepreneurs, such as Vera Wang and Magic Johnson, about how an athlete's mindset makes for a shark in the boardroom.The Message: Go big or go home. (Photo: Amistad Publishing)
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Put On Your Crown, Queen Latifah - This rapper, actress and Cover Girl has certainly defied the odds in Hollywood, so who better to write a book about self esteem? Latifah's book, part memoir and part self-help volume, aims at young women who are most vulnerable to the media's unattainable ideals of beauty. The Message: There's a queen in all of us. (Photo: Grand Central Publishing)
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Letters to a Young Artist, Anna Deveare Smith - As a veteran actress of stage and screen, Smith has withstood the changing tides of the entertainment business and built a long-lasting career filled with challenging roles. Now, she shares her advice with aspiring artists of every medium on how to go the distance in the world's most finicky industry. The Message: There's no such thing as an overnight success. (Photo: Anchor Publishing)
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It Worked for Me, Colin Powell - A revered public servant admired by people on both sides of the political divide, General Powell's place in history is secure. Now, he shares his 13 rules to live by and anecdotes from his rise to the top of the Washington food chain. The Message: If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. (Photo: Harper Publishing)