TAKE ME HOME FROM THE OSCARS

A behind-the-scenes look at how a Hollywood insider survived in daytime television despite the pain of living with rheumatoid arthritis.

When TV makeover expert and fashion consultant Schwab (The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style: A Maintenance Bible for Fashion, Beauty, and More..., 2006, etc.) was diagnosed with arthritis at a relatively young age, she learned to hide her debilitating pain to maintain an image of physical and professional perfection. In doing so, Schwab lied to everyone in her life including her supportive husband, experimented with myriad combinations of medications and ducked out of public responsibilities, including a hasty exit from the Academy Awards on swollen feet. Weaving in unpleasant tales from her childhood, the author works through the issues that led to her compulsion to appear flawless, regardless of the cost. “Being neat and clean with my outfits matching were lessons that served me in my childhood and my career,” she writes. “But when disease struck, arthritis marched over everything, not caring what it destroyed.” After seven years of faithfully taking failed pharmaceuticals despite visible, toxic and even life-threatening side effects, her dedication to the process paid off and she found one that worked for her, enabling her to continue her career and lifestyle as before. While the conclusion may seem superficial with its abrupt happily-ever-after, Schwab's book unexpectedly serves as an interesting observation of the pharmaceutical industry and the doctor-patient relationship. But the author's also tuned into the cravings of her audience, and doesn't skimp when offering the inside scoop on daytime TV: the reckless process of TV makeovers, how to schmooze a producer and the wonders of Oprah. An inspirational alternative to People at the doctor’s office.