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Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss
Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss | Anderson Cooper
63 posts | 72 read | 44 to read
A touching and intimate correspondence between Anderson Cooper and his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, offering timeless wisdom and a revealing glimpse into their livesThough Anderson Cooper has always considered himself close to his mother, his intensely busy career as a journalist for CNN and CBS affords him little time to spend with her. After she suffers a brief but serious illness at the age of ninety-one, they resolve to change their relationship by beginning a year-long conversation unlike any they had ever had before. The result is a correspondence of surprising honesty and depth in which they discuss their lives, the things that matter to them, and what they still want to learn about each other.Both a son s love letter to his mother and an unconventional mom s life lessons for her grown son, The Rainbow Comes and Goes offers a rare window into their close relationship and fascinating life stories, including their tragedies and triumphs. In these often humorous and moving exchanges, they share their most private thoughts and the hard-earned truths they ve learned along the way. In their words their distinctive personalities shine through Anderson s journalistic outlook on the world is a sharp contrast to his mother s idealism and unwavering optimism.An appealing memoir with inspirational advice, The Rainbow Comes and Goes is a beautiful and affectionate celebration of the universal bond between a parent and a child, and a thoughtful reflection on life, reminding us of the precious insight that remains to be shared, no matter our age."
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jspoelker
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Pickpick

The famous newscaster Anderson Cooper interviews his famous mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, about her both scandalous and public life as a child through her 92nd year. It reads more like a conversation than an interview with Anderson responding with his own reflections to the same events like the loss of his father and brother. Both show grit and resilience in the face of abrupt and emotional upheavals.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

This was a great listen! The authors‘ share correspondence from a year late in her life. It‘s vulnerable and sweet. But there are also lovely tributes to life in Manhattan and the value of parental involvement. I also appreciated their discussion of how we look at life—whether planning for the worst or hoping for the rainbow.

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com #thebibliophage2022 #booked2022 #weathertermintitle

Cinfhen Clever 🌈🙌🏻❣️I‘ve been meaning to listen to this one 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen It‘s so good on audio! And all the NYC revenues are fab. 💗 2y
Cinfhen Moving it up my #ListenersList 💕🎧 2y
64 likes3 comments
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rebbyj
Pickpick

Beautiful. Audiobook is the way to go.

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ValerieAndBooks
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Pickpick

A fairly quick read. Gloria Vanderbilt‘s back story as “poor little rich girl “ I was somewhat familiar with already but I found interesting their reflections on family dynamics and dysfunction, and poor decisions made. This book was probably a cathartic exercise for mother and son.

Suet624 This keeps popping up on Libby audiobooks and I keep avoiding it. Sounds like maybe it's not all that bad. :) 4y
ValerieAndBooks @Suet624 you may know this is mostly a series of emails between the two of them, which I thought worked well in print but have no idea if it‘d be as good on audio. You can give it a try! 4y
61 likes2 comments
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cdreincarnate
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Pickpick

I saw the glowing review @8little_paws gave this audiobook and decided to jump on that bandwagon. I was between audiobooks and this one was readily available from my library. It is a lovely book about love, loss, and parenting, but it‘s mostly Gloria‘s autobiography. I had no idea she had such a fascinating life!

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rubyslippersreads
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Is every book I read going to remind me that I‘m behind on #conqueringcromwell? 😂

BookishMe Haha 😂 5y
63 likes1 comment
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8little_paws
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Pickpick

Anderson started an email exchange with his mother when she turned 91, to get to know her intimately so he'd have no regrets. This is the result, and on audio is read by both of them. I was riveted. I had no idea what a fascinating yet dark life she'd lived. They both relay their experience of growing up with a deceased father, and the immense pain of losing a son/ brother. Cont.

8little_paws I'm glad we got to hear Gloria's life in her own words and voice, and this serves as an example of deep connection between a parent and adult child. 5y
8little_paws I think this book holds a uniquely special place for me, as i just had a son and he's almost 3 months old. It made me think about what i hope our relationship could someday look like. 5y
rubyslippersreads I‘m currently reading this and can‘t put it down. 5y
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8little_paws @rubyslippersreads that's how I was--I was constantly looking for ways I could listen. I binge-listened to it in under 24 hours that's how addicting I found it! 5y
8little_paws @rubyslippersreads that's how I was--I was constantly looking for ways I could listen. I binge-listened to it in under 24 hours that's how addicting I found it! 5y
rubyslippersreads @8little_paws I‘ve already finished it! At some point, I think I‘ll try the audiobook version, because I‘d really like to hear their voices. 5y
8little_paws @rubyslippersreads it's a super fast one to get through, you can find it on Hoopla! Gloria is a very dramatic reader which I think adds to the charm. 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Suet624 this may help you decide if you want to listen to this on audio! 4y
8little_paws @suet624 I loved it on audio. I thought it was dramatic! It listens like you are dropping in on a conversation btw a mother and son. I knew very little about Gloria's life so it was news to me. Honestly it was for me one of my fave audiobook experiences in a long time. 4y
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AmyRebecca
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"The problem arises when no matter how successful you become, the rainbow is still not enough."
Gloria Vanderbilt

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AmyRebecca
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Pickpick

Anderson Cooper spends a year dedicated to a deeper understanding of his mother (Gloria Vanderbilt), resulting in a book in which she shares the stories and feelings of her unique existence. She describes her unstable childhood, her loves (including Howard Hughes and Frank Sinatra), her losses (watching the suicide of her son), as well as her artistic career and her take on life as a nonagenarian. It's an easy read with a fascinating perspective.

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ReadingEnvy
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Mehso-so

This book was first mentioned on Episode 064 of the Reading Envy Podcast by Tracy Landrith back in August 2016, but of course the recent death of Gloria Vanderbilt (and touching tribute by son Anderson Cooper on CNN) brought it back to mind. #hoopla ⤵️

ReadingEnvy Gloria Vanderbilt undoubtedly has a fascinating life that spans almost an entire century, her wealth and circle connecting her to many famous and influential people throughout her life. But due to painful losses in her childhood and an early abusive marriage she considers herself more of a self-made woman, a trait that she passed on to her son Anderson. ⤵️ 5y
ReadingEnvy The audio is basically the two of them reading emails they sent one another, much heavier on Gloria than Anderson (who is interviewing more than he is sharing.)

Even at 1x speed, we listened to this in a day.
5y
48 likes2 comments
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Blueberry
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RIP Gloria Vanderbilt. 💚

BooknerdsLife Just watched a tribute vid by her son! 😢 5y
57 likes2 comments
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goodbyefrancie
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I'll admit it, I only downloaded this book because it was available on #overdrive and I thought it would be interesting enough while I waited for a couple of holds to come in. I'm a little surprised by how much I like it. Very interesting, great back stories, interesting people. I'm glad I stumbled into it. Hoping to finish it tonight.

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mrp27
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#readingresolutions #talkshow

Not a huge fan of talk shows, especially when Cooper was hosting one, but I think Cooper and the Vanderbilts are quite interesting and this would be an intriguing read.

Shaila 😮 I didn't know he was a Vanderbilt. 7y
39 likes1 comment
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Lucylovesreading
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Pickpick

I listened to this one on audiobook and it was a quick fast read. I enjoyed that the narration was both Gloria and Anderson switching off. I really enjoyed hearing about Gloria‘s life growing up in such a wealthy family and all the struggles that she endured. It‘s like listening to your grandma tell you stories of her life. A great reminder to keep in touch with your loved ones and hear all their stories before it‘s too late.
3⭐️‘s

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dariazeoli
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I love Anderson Cooper. I used to watch him on Channel One in homeroom in high school!

His mother, #JeanGenie Gloria Vanderbilt, has had a fascinating life. I thought this was a great audioread.

#SeptemBowie

DivineDiana I also listened to the audio. It was fascinating! So nice to have it read by this famous mother and son. 7y
britt_brooke I remember him from Channel One, too! 7y
Cinfhen Thanks for the #audiosuggestion 🎧 7y
JacqMac I watched the documentary. It was really great. 7y
44 likes4 comments
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Bluebird
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Am I the last Anderson Cooper fan to discover who is his mother? I spotted this when checking out today's amazon.com US kindle daily deals. Ms Vanderbilt is a true #fashion icon--starting with her blue jeans designs. I wore many pairs in my youth!
#septembowie

Cinfhen This would work well for tomorrow prompt too #JeanGenie ❣️😜and yeah, you might be the last to know 😂😘 7y
Bluebird Thanks @Cinfhen. ? I thought I might be! This is what happens when one disregards all celebrity "news". I guess I need to get a bit more wired in. (edited) 7y
Cinfhen I think sometimes you are MUCH better off just not knowing!!! 7y
Bluebird @Cinfhen that's what I thought, but then this happens and I realize how clueless I can be. I wish there was a happy medium, sigh... 7y
14 likes4 comments
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LitLogophile
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Today's #bookhaul is about the same height as my tortie 😂. I think that I got some good ones!

LeahBergen Nice! 👏🏻 7y
Rachellynnwright Beautiful kitty!! 😻 7y
Little_Reader Where did August go?! You can expect mail soon! 😊 7y
LitLogophile Looking forward to it! @Little_Reader 7y
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FountainBookstore
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this, but I wish I had read it instead of listening to the audio. Emails read aloud are awkward. Much more information about GV than AC. Try his earlier book if you are more interested in him. I do recommend this without reservations despite my issues with the audio.

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MidnightBookGirl
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Finishing this up for @FountainBookstore #BookClub tomorrow night.

celtichik I loved this book, GV is such an interesting person, I can't wait to listen to it on audio. 7y
MaleficentBookDragon I like the Furiously Happy photo bomb. 7y
MidnightBookGirl @celtichik Oh, this would have been great on audio! @MaleficentBookDragon lol, it's one of our bookstore bookmarks, Flatiron was kind enough to let us use the image. My boss is a genius, because the raccoon looks adorable peeking out of books. ;) 7y
29 likes3 comments
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FountainBookstore
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Holy crap, this book is amazing! #bookclub

DivineDiana Yes, it is! 7y
MimiLovesToRead It's awesome! 7y
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MidnightBookGirl
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Just started our June @FountainBookstore #bookclub read, but this quote is so much truth in one sentence.

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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

I listened to the audio of this book and I highly recommend it! It is read by the authors Gloria Vanderbilt and Anderson Cooper. Both of them are excellent, but the drama of the 91 year old at the time, Gloria Vanderbilt is gripping. What a life! It is heartwarming to see the mother/son relationship that they have developed. Their love for each other is obvious as they read the emails that they had written to each other.

Gezemice Looks very interesting! I have not heard of it before but the blurb is fascinating and you liked it, too... 7y
DivineDiana @gezmice Gloria Vanderbilt lived a fascinating life! 7y
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Reecaspieces
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Pickpick

Finished listening to this book today while creating this. Very good listen!! Gloria is a little dramatic but still very good! #audioscrapping #waterclor

LauraBeth That's beautiful! 7y
Reecaspieces @LauraBeth thank you....my first attempt! 7y
minkyb Is that Art Impressions? Lovely. 7y
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Reecaspieces @minkyb yes it is!! May have to buy the store out! 😂 7y
minkyb @Reecaspieces another addiction! 7y
Reecaspieces @minkyb ain't that the truth! 7y
85 likes6 comments
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DivineDiana
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Driving to Baltimore tomorrow, and here is my new car read! #stillhavecdplayer

Reecaspieces I am listening to it. Enjoying it very much!! 7y
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Paula3
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#Maybookflowers #booksaboutMothers 💐 I listened to this one a while back and it really resonated with me. I love Anderson Cooper and had no idea (before the book) that his mother was THE Gloria Vanderbilt. Complicated familial relationships for the win.

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Kshakal
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Pickpick

A super interesting read... I had no idea that Anderson Cooper was related to Gloria Vanderbilt. I loved the fact that the could have an open conversation about all of life's big issues and become even closer as mother and son!

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Kshakal
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"The rainbow comes and goes. Enjoy it while it lasts. Don't be surprised by its departure, and rejoice when it returns."

celtichik Wouldn't you just love to have dinner with Gloria Vanderbilt? 8y
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Kshakal
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A good book and dancing with the stars.... Sounds like a good night to me!

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RealBooks4ever
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Mehso-so

Mostly about Gloria Vanderbilt's life. I recommend the print version over the audiobook; Gloria tends to get a little overdramatic on the audio! #audiobook 🌈

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RealBooks4ever
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Downloaded from the library today! 🎧

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Matilda
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🔔📚🔔 hope you're ready for a bunch of ebook sales!! 1st up this one was great (I loved the audiobook) as Gloria finally answers / discusses / faces her actual life story with her son Anderson Cooper. Amazon/b&n

saresmoore The deals are pretty crazy today! 8y
Notafraidofwords This one is pretty good. I read it in one sitting ! 8y
Matilda @saresmoore yes! If I hadn't read them already I'd be on a buying spree. 8y
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Matilda @Notafraidofwords it wasn't what I was expecting and her life was sad yet fascinating. And Cooper's narration on the audiobook had me all 😍 8y
Notafraidofwords @Matilda sigh, I love Cooper. 8y
tpixie You found a lot of good deals! 8y
RealBooks4ever Just borrowed the audiobook from the library! Thanks for reminding me about this one! 😁 8y
35 likes1 stack add7 comments
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BookNerd1975
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Mehso-so

I wanted to love this book because I adore AC. I did not love this book. I think if I'd read it instead of listening to the audiobook I might have a different opinion. The audiobook seemed forced and more like a reporter interviewing a stranger rather than a son having a conversation with his mother. Left me feeling disappointed.

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MissMary
Pickpick

I enjoyed this book very much, I was hooked on it and finished in a day. It was very interesting to get a glimpse inside one of the most influential families of old New York.

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wen4blu
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Started this audio book today. Anderson's intro is like a love letter to his mother; I wonder if this book will be an emotional roller coaster.

8little_paws I'm really interested to hear about this book. 8y
ValerieAndBooks I have this high up in my TBR -- looks like a quick (but not necessarily light) read. 8y
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EKonrad
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Pickpick

Loved this back and forth conversation between these two fascinating people. It has inspired me to talk more with my parents and grandpa about the lessons they've learned during their lifetimes. Plus, this book had some great celebrity name drops! Didn't want it to be over when I got to the last page. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Notafraidofwords
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Pickpick

Finished this during a night of full blown insomnia, sigh 😔. I enjoyed most of this book, but felt uncomfortable by some of the optimism from Cooper's mom. I think he is much more practical about life's suffering than she was. Her thoughts on a predetermined destiny made me uncomfortable, so I'm happy Cooper expressed his opinion on senseless tragedies and suffering. Overall, an easy read for an insomnia filled night.

Cinfhen Happy to see you're back to reading but sorry you aren't sleeping 😌 8y
Notafraidofwords @Cinfhen ugh yea insomnia is rough. But I see a lot of litsy folks with the same issue. 8y
85 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Matilda
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Pickpick

Fantastic!--and not just bc Anderson Cooper can read me a car manual 😍. It is fascinating to see mother and son never discussed so many important things, including Vanderbilt's childhood, until a recent email exchange where they bared all.

BooksForYears Your sticker game is strong! 💪 8y
66 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Matilda
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Today in my ears. Anderson Cooper can read me a cereal box 😍

vivastory Love Anderson Cooper, he has an infectious laugh. 8y
B.Reader I love how your sticker looks like it is squishing his head 8y
Matilda @B.Reader I'm sticker happy! 8y
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dariazeoli Best usage of a sticker award! Also, I really enjoyed listening to this one. Gloria Vanderbilt has had some life. 8y
Matilda @dariazeoli right? The childhood stuff was straight out of rich people drama soap and awful that a real person had to experience that. 8y
Christine The sticker! 😂 8y
65 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Ashley_Nicoletto
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Pickpick

I share an Audible account with my mom, and she very rarely requests a book. This was one of her picks. I flew the this book audiobook about Gloria Vanderbilt. Her life was so incredibly fascinating. Definitely 5 ⭐️

Suzze I have this, need to get to it. Of course I have 500 other books I need to get to. 8y
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EmilyChristine
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Pickpick

Listened to the audiobook on a trip for work. Anderson and Gloria read it which I always think makes a memoir or autobiography better. Very interesting, I learned a lot about their history and relationship.

PrezBookster I think the same thing about memoir type audio books! 8y
13 likes1 comment
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Wife
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Pickpick

A worthy lesson to really talk to your mother before it's too late. I'm hard headed and would have to force myself to do this. I know I will regret it later if I don't. Where to start? After years of superficial exchanges, I don't even know her. If I ask her to open up, she would have the right to expect the same from me. Scary. 🌺

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grahamcrackers
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Pickpick

A bit of background: I'm a big Anderson Cooper fan. His work inspired me to major in journalism and I loved his memoir, Dispatches from the Edge. So naturally, I was thrilled when I found out he was writing a book with his mother! The focus is largely on Gloria's past, which is simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking. A quick, poignant read for anyone with the slightest interest in either of these two.

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grahamcrackers
Pickpick

A bit of background: I'm a big Anderson Cooper fan. His work inspired me to major in journalism and I loved his memoir, Dispatches from the Edge. So naturally, I was thrilled when I found out he was writing a book with his mother! The focus is largely on Gloria's past, which is simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking. A quick, poignant read for anyone with the slightest interest in either of these two.

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ChampagneGypsy

“Perhaps some day it will be pleasant to remember even this.”
It gives pause, doesn‘t it?
Whenever you‘re restless or miserable, if you can imagine that at some point you may look back on that moment fondly, it may make the present more bearable. Even what appears to be a terrible problem may in the future turn out to be a positive change. You just never know.”

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Vanessa
Pickpick

Someone had told me that the writing was fantastic; it was good, but I didn't find it to be anything special. I knew little about either Gloria Vanderbilt or Anderson Cooper before reading; after reading, I am disappointed that I still don't know very much about Cooper. Vanderbilt, on the other hand - what a surprising, fascinating life, though I don't find her admirable the way her son does; in many ways she seems naïve and childlike even now.

GinaAnderson Interesting about GV. I know very little about her except that her jeans were the pinnacle of fashion when I was in eighth grade. 8y
Vanessa Yes, I don't remember exactly what grade, but I do remember the jeans! Interesting life and often so sad. @GinaAnderson 8y
shawnmooney After enjoying the miniseries that was based on it, I devoured the popular history way way back when I was a teenager. 8y
12 likes3 comments
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MelissaThorn
Pickpick

I loved this book! Great story, want to read more about the Vanderbilts

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Vanessa
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It's hot waiting in the car. Don't even care because I am fascinated.

shawnmooney I watched the new documentary about these fascinating folks on a transpacific flight this month – it was riveting! 8y
Vanessa I'll have to look up the documentary when I'm done! @shawnmooney 8y
12 likes2 comments
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LWagoner
Pickpick

I read this book as an audiobook thru Scribd. I was surprised at the honesty, transparency & vulnerability evident in the dialogue between mother & son. There are words of wisdom in the narrative important for deepening relationships. Don't wait. Talk to each other. Be open to what the other has to say. I recommend listening to this book as Gloria Vanderbilt and son, Anderson Cooper narrate. It adds depth to the words- emotions can be heard.

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E-book
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There is no other truth to depend on, no other certainty. It is as inevitable as birth. Death is the price we pay for being born. -Gloria Vanderbilt