Jennifer Lopez (Penguin) 2014, 276pp, RRP $29.99
Many people would just write Jennifer Lopez off as a diva with a string of divorces. But there’s so much more to her than tabloid tall tales – as her autobiography reveals. I’ve always suspected that she’s been misrepresented in the media, and her book shows her as just a big-hearted, hardworking mum who just wants to be loved – someone everyone can ultimately identify with. 
The book concentrates on a recent two-year period of her life where her third marriage – to Marc Anthony, father of her two children – crumbles and she rebuilds her life as she undertakes her first tour (acting commitments having previously got in the way), so it’s probably not the full picture of her. But it’s enough to get an insight into the insecurities that can pervade any regular person – nevermind a star.
Her aim, she writes, is to be vulnerable and honest and if she can help just one person with her example then the book has achieved its aim. Lopez connects with us on an authentic level and while it may surprise some that this book should probably be found more in the “Self-help By A Celebrity” section of the bookshelves, actually it makes sense that she should write something on – so frequently misrepresented in the media – should write something on her own terms.
The title True Love starts off as a quest to find love externally, but ends up being about ultimately learning to her love herself. It can verge on the mawkish but ultimately her belief in hard work and family and love is honest and engaging enough, and you don’t have to be a fan of her music or her acting to identify with the message.
The book design is glossy and packed with many colour images of her tour and life outside. Lopez has finally found true love with herself so now it will be interesting to follow her next chapter… even if it’s back to being filtered through the tabloids’ distorted lens.
Jenny Thompson
This title is available through Penguin Books Australia. Click here to purchase your copy.
