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A Helluva High Note - Surviving Life, Love, and American Idol
by Kara DioGuardi
IT Books
ISBN 978-0-06-205989-5
Published May 2011 - Hardcover - 225 pages - $24.99

Kara DioGuardi says her book is about "—finding the courage to reach for your own personal high notes in life even if it means falling flat more often than not".  Now, we can all relate to that, right?  Most of us experience "failure" in some form, but the difference between moving on and/or success is how we deal with it.  She writes about her food addiction and consumption, her regrets having eaten so much sugar, her family and her breakthrough into songwriting.  All beautifully told with honesty and openness.  She tenderly recalls her mother dying from cancer and how she and her brother tended to their mother to the end.  The lesson in that is priceless.  Kara's rise to stardom is one of hard work and belief in one's ability, even though you have doubts, along with a healthy dose of talent.  Her story is interesting and keeps you reading as she meets up with all sorts of famous and/or influential people, and the lessons she learned along the way.  Here and there she mentions her food addiction, getting involved with the "wrong" guys (haven't we all?), her insecurities, rejection, and dedication and belief in oneself.  She also talks of the date rape she endured and the "expectations" of some of her male colleagues.  [I hate that about some men—thinking they can just take or get what they want from any woman.  Sickening and so primative.]  Kara is a strong woman and her senses prevailed.  She doesn't take any crap from anyone and is a good role model for young women today.  Work hard, be honest, respect yourself and others, and live your life to the best of your ability.  She also dishes about her stint on American Idol and her eventual dismissal.  I recall her never really and truly being introduced (I didn't know who she was or that she was such a successful songwriter until well into the season).  I cried reading about her meeting and marrying her husband.  It touched a nerve and is a greatly uplifting chapter.  She's one very accomplished and sought-after songwriter, and her list is impressive.
Conclusion - A woman with integrity from whose book we could all take a leaf.  There are a number of life lessons for any woman about business, about love, or about life—make notes!