Ten Years Later

By: Hoda Kotb

Narrated by: Hoda Kotb

New York Times bestselling author and beloved Today show co-anchor tells the incredible stories of people who, when faced with impossibly challenging or tragic life situations, persevere - and even thrive - and asks, What if you, facing a game-changing event or decision right now, could see ten years into the future?

Through years of perseverance, purpose, and passion, Hoda Kotb landed a spot with Kathie Lee on the Today show, won numerous journalism awards, and gained valuable life lessons. Now, after captivating audiences in her blockbuster memoir Hoda, she turns to stories about others who have undergone personal transformation against great odds.

In Ten Years Later, Hoda chronicles six amazing stories by identifying a game-changing event in her subjects’ lives and then revisiting those lives a decade later. We meet Amy Barnes, who took the leap to escape an abusive relationship, lost an astounding 340 pounds, and now encourages women like her to cultivate their mental and physical strength. There’s also Ron Clifford, a civilian hero of 9/11, who saved the life of a burn victim in the wreckage of the towers - only to learn the same day that his beloved sister and niece were passengers on Flight 175. Patrick Weiland, a former network producer who won a Peabody at age twenty-two and later spiraled into drug addition, demonstrates the power of a second chance.

Ten Years Later is a firsthand testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Through inspirational life stories, Hoda shows how adversity can unleash our best qualities: resilience, perseverance, gratitude, empathy, and creativity. This book will inspire you to believe in the future, no matter how dark the present, and tap into the ability to reach your highest potential.

©2013 (c)2013 Hoda Kotb. All rights reserved.

(P)2013 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio Journalists, Editors & Publishers Personal Success Psychology Celebrity Inspiring Heartfelt

Hoda Hits it Out of the Park!

If you could sum up Ten Years Later in three words, what would they be?

Inspiration and Admiration

What other book might you compare Ten Years Later to and why?

None that I've read so far

Which scene was your favorite?

All scenes are equally fascinating and or enlightening

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole thing kept me interested and wanting more.

Any additional comments?

I always wonder what happens to people we hear about on TV shows, in the news, etc. FINALLY a book that brings us up to date with amazing people from different walks of life.

So uplifting

I watch her every morning on her show and didn't know she was such a great writer. Loved hearing the inspiring stories. I was on vacation in Sarasota and could not wait to walk the beach every day for hours while I was listening to her book. Great!!

Don't listen if depressed

I like Hoda's writing and delivery but what a bunch of sad and depressing stories! Maybe if it was read it would not have quite the same effect. Thank goodness that the last profile was one of rags to riches, rather than another gut wrenching tale. I gt that the moral of the story is resilience but only 20% of each story is "since" the tragedy. I am just glad it's over! Whew.

10 Years

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes it is veru uplifting and inspirational.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The ultra runner because of her complete dedication and desire for life.

What does Hoda Kotb bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her own life experience shows through her voice.

What an Amazing Book!

I didn’t want this book to end. Each story was so motivating and offered a life lesson! There isn’t a fiction book that can measure up to an individuals real life story and experiences when shared. Each story shows individual difficulties and hardships but also demonstrates how never giving up on your dreams is so important. It’s all about having a good attitude and having the strength to overcome the adversity that each of us faces in different ways!

Inspirational

The six people profiled here have diverse backgrounds and accomplishments, but all were hit hard in life and not only bounced back but surged ahead. I was particularly impressed by the woman who, after battling cancer in her early twenties, started up a foundation to help other cancer victims battle infertility, and the single mother with no money or connections who started a corporation eventually worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Inspiring!

Where does Ten Years Later rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites

What did you like best about this story?

I love that the stories are true and you get to hear the aftermath not just the triumph

What does Hoda Kotb bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She conveyed the stories as they were told to her and gave us the benefit of knowing exactly how it was meant to be told

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

H.O.P.E - Hold on pain ends

Just OK - I think we all know people like this

or I am very lucky to know people like this. It is not over until the fat lady sings and you are in control of your life. Live it. I do like Hoda's voice

My Mini Miracle

What made the experience of listening to Ten Years Later the most enjoyable?

This book is absolutely wonderful and uplifting! It definitely gave me hope in my own future and a better appreciation of life. I adore Hoda Kotb, so it was enjoyable to be able to listen to her tell the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

HOW CAN I PICK? Each individual's stories were absolutely amazing!

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the "rags to riches" story at the end as well as the chapters about medical problems (no spoilers).

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely! I probably listened to it in three chunks, but it is definitely a great "binge" read.

Stories were interesting BUT

This book is Hota telling of her interviews with 6 people. I found the stories interesting. However, I did not really get how the stories really belong together. Even the subtitle "Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives" isn't entirely accurate. I really think she just thought these were six good stories so wanted to make a book but any real connection for all six is a stretch. The final story is about a woman who went from choosing to live a subsistence lifestyle to owning a multimillion dollar company. Is the adversity being poor when choosing to live that lifestyle? At any rate, each story on it's own was interesting but a few things did bug me. Our first story deals with a woman who after being in an abusive relationship and losing her kids, leaves the guy, loses hundreds of pounds and regains custody. She later becomes a life coach. This is inspiring except that one question kept popping into my mind while listening and Hota never asked it. The woman after gaining her kids back, moves in with another guy shortly after that, then another guy after that. It seemed to me like she always had to have a man and never got comfortable just being herself. It seemed so crazy after what she put her kids through to move them in with another guy right away. But Hota never asks her about that. After that story was a woman who survived cancer and went on to help cancer patients by getting the medical community to deal with issues of fertility loss differently. Those two made me think our book was about people who suffered something them went on to do something for others. But the next two stories were a little off from that. I was fascinated by the woman who recovered from epilepsy and became an ultra marathoner. (I had never heard of ultramarathons.) I am just not sure how that fits the theme. Similarly there is man who stops doing drugs after his sister is murdered and helps to influence the prosecution of her killer. There is also the man who helped a burn victim on 9/11 only to learn later his sister and niece had died that day. That is certainly a powerful story but I kept waiting to see what he was going to do and that was apparently just be a regular happy guy. So although the stories were interesting, I don't think Hota or her book added anything to them.