Leading Lady: Sherry Lansing and the Making of a Hollywood Groundbreaker by Stephen Galloway

Before seeing this book on BloggingforBooks’ list, I’d never heard of Sherry Lansing, and I’d never been fascinated with the Hollywood lifestyle. I chose to read this book because it’s a biography—which usually prove to be interesting—and a biography about a person who defeated odds and achieved extreme success in her field.

Leading Lady: Sherry Lansing and the Making of a Hollywood Groundbreaker by Stephen Galloway did not disappoint. Galloway’s writing style is crisp, propulsive, and engaging. From this book about a lady whom I’d heard nothing about, I was intrigued to read every detail: her childhood, her lovers, her dreams, her dreams crushed, her accomplishments, and her accolades.

Galloway conducted an impressive amount of research. Included are quotes and anecdotes from Hollywood’s top stars: Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Jane Fonda, and more.

This book is a thorough account of Sherry Lansing breaking ground and rising to the top of the totem pole in Hollywood—to be the lead behind movies from Forrest Gump to Mean Girls.

Anyone who wants a seemingly accurate portrayal of Hollywood life and cares to discourse with Hollywood’s finest would enjoy this book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Christmas Code by O.S. Hawkins

“In the midst of all the busyness of this season, the celebrations, the shopping, the lights, the decorations, the parties, and all the other tinsel, trappings, and trimmings, Advent offers a time of spiritual preparation” (4).

This pamphlet devotional, The Christmas Code: Daily Devotions Celebrating the Advent Season by O.S. Hawkins, takes readers day-by-day through December 1-25.

I picked up this book because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed two of Hawkins’ other books: The Daniel Code and The James Code. Hawkins writes with clarity and insight.

This book would make a great gift: stick it in a stocking, pass it out to a person you encounter while Christmas shopping, or slip it in an envelope and send it in the mail.

Each daily devotional includes a title, a verse, a devotion, a code word, and a prayer.

The code word is my favorite part. The code word for December 17 is Access. Throughout the day, as I remember the word Access, I’ll be reminded of the access we have to Jesus because he was born in a manger—not a palace.

I recommend this book to others.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.