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In Jump and Find Joy, Hoda Kotb explored the path on dealing with the changes in life and embracing joy thru it. She begins by sharing a story of standing on the edge of the water and wondering if you should stay or jump. She explained how change takes courage but it’s essential to our wellbeing. In the book, she shared how she left Peacock after 26 years and gave up journalism. She used to be a host on Dateline and a Today show cohost. Part of her choosing to leave was she adopted her kids at age 52. They were seven and five at the time and she wanted to become a more hands on parent. She also went over her cancer journey and her healing. In the book, she covered some helpful tips and tools in order to handle the different changes. She begun doing medication exercises at age 50 and focusing more on her breathing. She has even tried doing mantra phrases during it. She keeps a journal to help her refocus her life and to write everything down. She also uses visualization and she admits to feel the joy and to imagine the day.


In the book, she also used the jumpstart section to showcase different people such as Steve Harvey, Thomas Rhett, Chip Conley, Anne Lamott, Mel Robbins, Sheryl Crow, Lainey Wilson, just to name a few. Steve Harvey is an entertainer, author, radio personability, and host. She shared how she got to interview him. He stated that when he first was on TV, they complained that he was too country and that if he didn’t fix it, he wouldn’t last on TV. They offered him a linguistics coach and he turned them down. He instead chose to ride on his leap of faith. He didn’t want to fail since he already flunked out of college and he messed up his marriage. When he transferred to comedy there was a time, he was homeless. He heard God telling him that if he would get up God would take him places, he hasn’t been to. He indicated how God has create within us a soul and has provide each of us a gift that only we can do.




I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is ready to experience joy again no matter what changes may come. I liked the suggestions she included such as breathing, journaling, finding your spark, and much more that you will learn about. I liked how enclosed a few different celebrities and how they discovered their joy and how they jumpstarted their life. I liked the story of Thomas Rhett and appreciated how he put his wife and kids first before music and how he lives out die a happy man. It was interesting to read about her take on that. I also enjoyed the story of Lainey Wilson and Sheryl Crow two of my favorite artists. All of these stories will inspire you on dealing with the changes in your life.

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This book is wonderful! What I like best is it’s exactly like Hoda on TV. Her personality from TV shines through in this book. I also like how you can just read a chapter at a time. You don’t need to read it like a novel. I would recommend buying a hard copy so you can go back to it periodically.

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If anyone knows joy, it’s Hoda Kotb. A light, easy read where Hoda shares how she brought joy to her life and in her career. She reflects on both her personal and professional lives, and I did enjoy reading more about her career. The chapters are very short which makes it easy to read a few minutes at a time, and I enjoyed reading the short “profiles” about the people Hoda has met who have focused on joy despite changes or setbacks in life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

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light, motivating, interesting memoir by an interesting person. don't expect any shocking or dramatic reveals here, but it's a fun and uplifting read. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

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I have a soft spot for Hoda. She’s one of those warm personalities that’s always seems to find the good in even the toughest situations. For this reason, perhaps there’s no one better to hear positivity advice from. Tidbits learned from celebrity friends was an interesting touch. There’s not anything particularly groundbreaking shared in this book - but it’s a light read that is positive, encouraging, and motivating.

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I have always loved to watch Hoda on NBC and seeing her and Kathie Lee have the best time together. Getting to know her over those years, I knew I had to read her book. It feels like reading a book written by a good friend of yours. Feel good, heart warming, life and all of the things that comes your way. Great book that I will forever remember and recommend

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This book is like a hug from a best friend and then a firm shove towards your next leap in life!

I LOVE Hoda Kotb - her and Kathie Lee got me through some of my biggest life transitions by offering me laughs and levity. Now Hoda is providing motivation to follow your dreams and make sometimes scary leaps towards your dreams.

Hoda does this by telling stories of her (many) leaps and changes in life and peppering in stories from motivating and inspiring people that either provide wisdom for leveling up your life or examples of them doing the same.

I highlighted so many passages of this book. I finished feeling inspired to take on my own life but also so insanely happy for Hoda in her new chapter (even though I miss her on my TV!). She’s just like sunshine in human form. And so wise!

I will absolutely buy this for people in my life that I love. I read an ebook copy, but I bet this is an incredible audiobook as well.

Thanks so so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

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I know about Hoda Kotb because she is from the Northern Virginia area and I would watch the Today Show during the summer or on snow days. Kotb stood out because she is charming, funny, real and empathetic. Her new book, Jump and Find Joy did not disappoint. Centering around the theme of change, she touches upon it in all aspects of her life from when she moved to the Washington DC area growing up, relocated to a new place to be an anchor on a local news station (and eventually NYC for NBC & the Today Show), diagnosed with breast cancer, became a mother, and decided to step away from the Today Show. Rather than fearing change, Kotb embraced the changes. She is an example of how different life milestones are not always linear and how it is okay to switch things up.

Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Kotb's book will come out September 23, 2025!

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Hoda Kotb’s Jump and Find Joy is a heartfelt book that exudes warmth, courage, and hope on every page. Known for her compassionate voice as a journalist and co-host of Today, Kotb brings the same gentle wisdom to readers through this beautifully inspiring book.

The book encourages people to take brave leaps toward the unknown and to embrace life’s challenges with open hearts. It weaves themes of resilience, joy, and self-discovery in a way that's both accessible and profound. Whether it’s trying something new or overcoming fear, the message is clear: when you “jump,” joy often follows.

At its core, Jump and Find Joy is a message for readers of all ages. It serves as a reminder that while life’s leaps may be scary, they’re also where growth and happiness can be found.

This book is ideal for reading aloud, gifting, or simply keeping as a source of encouragement. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or young dreamer, Jump and Find Joy offers a gentle nudge toward bravery and a celebration of joy that’s sure to resonate long after the last page.

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The cover alone sparks joy! This is a wonderfully uplifting book about the jumps that Hoda has taken and how she encourages the reader to be unafraid to join her. All our jumps looks different but this book is filled with positive encouragement to make the changes in your life you deem necessary. In each chapter she includes some of the wisdom and lessons she has gained from the people she has interviewed in the past. It is a quick read full of someone cheering you on! It would make a delightful gift!

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A quick book that is a pick me up. Hoda writes in an easy to read fashion. If you need a feel good book, this is a good one.

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I received a copy of "Jump and Find Joy" by Hoda Kotb from NetGalley. This is a great feel good book. Hoda writes of the "jumps" she has made in her life. She shares her own jump moments along with many people who have made jumps in their own lives. To "jump" in this book is the different life choices a person has to make. Like starting new job, or moving to another town. Dealing with health issues and so many other Jumps a person may make in their lives. She writes about how attitude and how you approach each situation in life. For Hoda she writes of career changes and moving around the country. Having to deal with breast cancer. Adopting two girls later in her life. I enjoyed this heart felt book. Glad i got the chance to read this well done book.

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What an inspirational story! I enjoyed learning more about Hoda's journey and the quotes/stories from people around her. Thanks for the opportunity to read it!

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I'm inspired by all that Hoda does, and this new book is a perfect gift to the bookish world. I like how the writing style Hoda chooses directly speaks to my heart. I felt like she was talking one-on-one with me about fears, hopes, and dreams. I was inspired throughout and loved the stories that some of her famous interviewed stars shared! They're sprinkled throughout the book and are gems! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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This was a quick read and nothing I haven't heard before. Hoda is a hard worker and has a following because she is soul foul... Also fortunate to be in the position she is to afford the time and opportunity to make certain decisions. It's more of a collection than something that provides constructive suggestions.

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