Books
Review: "Never Make The Same Mistake Twice"
By Susie Kopecky
Aug 30, 2009 - 4:46:37 AM

ATLANTA—You may know her name from a show called "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Nene Leakes can also add "author" to her long resume, with her debut book "Never Make The Same Mistake Twice: "Lessons on Love and Life Learned the Hard Way." This title is published by Simon & Schuster.


Leakes is just as entertaining as a writer, as she is as a performer... which is a good thing. Leakes stands out in the Atlanta-based cast of the Bravo show, which seeks to provide outsiders with an inside look at the lives of rich Atlanta women.

Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Leakes is a good performer: on the show, she knows how to entertain, enthrall, and keep viewers coming back for more. As she explains in her biography, Leakes has had plenty of experience performing and working with a wide variety of people, so her insight into the human condition should come as no surprise.

Leakes writes comedically about everyday experiences and her journey into adulthood, but also writes on very serious issues, particularly her own experiences as a victim of domestic abuse, while also struggling as a single mother. Leakes' portrayal of her own mission in life to help others, and reach out to those in need, is inspiring. Don't worry, though, it's not all preaching about living perfect lives. Leakes also proudly owns up to various episodes of her own past, including a weekend stuck in a jail cell, giving in to an abusive boyfriend, working as a stripper and putting men thrown the mill to prove their affection. Her candor and apparent desire to lay everything on the line, is affectively charming and disarming.

Of course, the book would not be complete without some juicy gossip about the other housewives, both of the Atlanta show, and from the other "Housewives" shows, based in Orange County and New York. It's entertaining and fun to read Leakes' descriptions of the other women, who we have never had the opportunity to see her interact with. Also included (near the end) are juicy details on her own interactions with her fellow "Real Housewives of Atlanta" castmates, and those seeking drama will not be disappointed. Those familiar with the cast of characters will have some real meat to sink their teeth into, in this book.

Cheers to a fun read, and a book which can be gobbled up quickly. Looking forward to the next "Real Housewives of Atlanta" episode!


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