5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

“Betty White's Pearls of Wisdom" by Patty Sullivan

“My remembrances are perhaps an echo of things already said, but I hope my stories hold up a mirror, another reflection of her essence and how she affected my life so profoundly.”

This was a delightful and inspiring read for a fan of the legendary actress and animal activist. The book features a collection of quotes and anecdotes from Betty White's life, highlighting her wit, humor, and wisdom.

Throughout the book, Sullivan shares Betty’s insights on various topics, including aging, friendship, love, and of course, animals. The advice is practical, heartfelt, and often humorous, making the book fun to read.

Sullivan does an excellent job of capturing Betty's voice and personality, making it feel as though the actress is speaking directly to the reader.

Overall, it is a lovely tribute to a remarkable woman, and an uplifting reminder that we can all learn a thing or two from this national treasure. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Betty White.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The author(s) of this book shared significant moments they spent with Betty White. She was obviously an important part of their lives and their families. The book is made up of short essays that describe specific memories the author and her husband have of time spent with their special friend Betty White. The essays provide insights into her personality and life. Each essay ends with pertinent quotes. At times, the book seemed to be more about the authors than about Betty. They spend a lot of time getting into specific details about places and events in which they participated. I was hoping for more of a biographical sketch with pieces of wisdom presented by Betty, with less focus on the authors and their celebrity lifestyles and fame.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

I didn’t know much about this actress before reading this book. I had seen her in the movie The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, caught a few episodes of Golden Girls, but that was it. I knew she was funny and loved animals.

I learned so much through this sweet, insightful, journey with Patty Sullivan as she remembers the special times and events, they were part of because of this amazing lady. Allen Ludden and Betty White were encouragers of new talent. They also liked to help where they could. Allen Ludden got Tom Sullivan on the Mike Douglas show when he was hosting it. The response to Tom’s visit aided in having his career take off. The friendships blossomed between Tom and Patty Sullivan and Betty and Allen, who treated Tom as their adopted son. They adored his music and songwriting talent but were even more amazed at how he navigated the stage like a pro, they'd never suspected he was blind.
Betty said her acting career helped her do what she loved. She not only helped in doing fundraisers, but she educated herself in matters at hand, so she could help in making the money go to where it would be most beneficial for all.
I was amazed at the gift she had in working with animals. She was an animal whisperer. So, when she saw the Sullivan family struggling about helping Tom’s old guide dog pass the baton to the new guide dog. Betty was happy to help. They weren’t sure if this was going to work but when Dinah sat at Betty’s chair when they ate dinner all sighed in relief. They became family through Dinah. I liked what Betty said, “If you can’t make memories, there is no reason to be alive.” She knew how to savor every moment and live life to the fullest.

If you are a fan of Betty White or if you are like me and knew of her a little, you’ll enjoy and be encouraged by this special lady and her fascinating life. This book is written by Patty Sullivan, wife of Tom Sullivan and dear friend of Betty. Patty said this about her friend,…”You have inspired me to do more, and be more. And that is a gift, there are no words with which I can express my gratitude – I love you with all my heart.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/ ( )