All You Could Ask For audiobook

When I heard that Mike "Greeny" Greenberg wrote a book, I figured it would be a sports book. Then I heard it was a novel, so I thought, 'oh, a novel about sports.' Then I read the description- a novel about three women dealing with breast cancer. Wait, what?Greenberg had a friend who had breast cancer, and he was amazed that her three best friends, one of whom was his wife, surrounded this woman with constant love and never left her side. They went to her doctor appointments, her chemo treatments; they were with her at all times.This so impressed him, because he didn't think that men would be so present for their male friends. His friend succumbed to her cancer, and he wrote a novel about three women who each get a diagnosis of breast cancer. The proceeds from this novel go to the V Foundation in his friend's name to aid in cancer research. (The V Foundation is named after famed North Carolina State University coach Jim Valvano who lost his battle with cancer at age 46.)I can't believe a man wrote this book. Greenberg captures the voices of these three very different women so incredibly well, he must eavesdrop on women often. And take notes.Samantha is newly married to an older man and on her honeymoon in Hawaii. She is blissfully happy, ready to start her new life when she finds a photo of a naked woman on her husband's laptop.Katherine has just turned forty, a hard-charging career woman whose last serious relationship ended badly many years ago. Now the most important man in her life is her faithful driver Maurice. Her administrative assistant has set her up on a blind date with a handsome, eligible man- who happens to be twenty years older than her. How old does she think Katherine is anyway?Brooke is happily married to Scott, and mom to two children, living in the suburbs, trying to figure out what to get her husband for his birthday. She is a good wife, a good mom and likes her life.The first half of the book sets up each of these three interesting women's lives, all facing different daily challenges- work, home, family, loneliness. We become invested in them, and compare our lives to theirs.Then they each get a diagnosis of breast cancer. Each woman reacts differently, and the reader is left to ponder how they deal with her individual diagnosis. The women do not interact with each other in the first half of the book, but they later meet on breast cancer message boards and we are able read their messages to each other, and see their relationships develop.I had to admit I was skeptical about a novel some would call "chick-lit" about breast cancer written by a male ESPN host, but Greenberg does a terrific job here. I wanted to know more about these women's lives, and I found their reactions to their illnesses fascinating.They each respond differently, and the way one woman deals with it will probably cause some lively discussions in book clubs, for which this novel would make a good choice. It definitely made me think about how I would react, and upon reflection, it also made me try to be less judgmental of other women and the choices they make in the lives.

Every life lived is a story worth telling Brooke, Samantha, and Katherine are women that are leading successful albeit flawed lives. They move in different circles, which have never offered an opportunity for them to cross paths. They are successful in their own right at what they do and each day has a unique twist or turn that they resolve as it suits their personality. Brooke is a stay at home mother who still has sizzle in her marriage; Katherine is a powerful force in a company that keeps her rich; while Samantha may have made a poor relationship choice right now she is running as fast as she can toward her latest goal. Occasionally the question does arise as to whether the correct path was chosen, but overall life is good or so they have convinced themselves. When Samantha, Katherine, and Brooke are handed the same diagnostic fate the plan of action may be different but the goal is survival. The only hesitation in their plans is the question resounding in their heads; has my life been worth talking about? The battle they are about to embark on reminds each of them with a huge blow that they share a common enemy that is trying to take everything away and how are they going to stop that from happening. Facing diversity each will respond, react, and choose to survive, as it deems appropriate. Plans are formed, treatment options decided, and futures secured with each one forced to answer where I go from here. When you reflect upon your life, the one constant does come down to the legacy you are leaving and how you will be remembered. Mike Greenberg has created three wonderful characters, wrapped around a moving story, topped off with a not so subtle reminder that money does not buy happiness.

*****5 BFF (Breast Friends Forever) Stars*****Very often in movies, books and in real life women are portrayed as insecure, selfish and petty; talking behind each others backs or criticizing one another, creating a bad rep for all of us, not in this novel though. All You Could Ask For celebrates women and shows how sympathetic and selfless we can be towards each other, how sensitive and empowering we are when someone around us is struggling. This story is about friendship and self discovery and while there's male characters in the plot the focus is all on the women and I loved that! This is a must read!!!In the first part of the book we meet three very different women; Brooke is a forty year old stay home mom who's been happily married to her college sweetheart for fifteen years, Samantha is twenty eight, she loves playing sports, training, eating healthy and she just got married to an older man that she's been dating for less than a year and finally we have Katherine who is also forty years old, single, she works in Wall Street, very independent and driven but has been bitter for the last nineteen years of her life after a really bad break-up. We learn about their qualities and struggles; how every day they live their lives searching for something, called it happiness, peace or closure they each want something totally different making this characters so genuine that you can't help but to identify with them. These women don't know each other, they all live in New York and in the second part of the book a painful struggle will bring them together and show them how the power of friendship can overcome all troubles or at least have fun trying...These characters were so real and reading this book felt like I was in my living room hearing their stories over a glass of wine; because we all know them, they are your sister, your best friend, you neighbor, your co-worker they can be you. We are fighters, that is who we are and together whether we know each other for ten days or ten years, we are all willing to be there and support each other.its hard to believe this book was written by a man because the story is told from the point of view of three different women and he did a magnificent job in making each their voice strong and very unique. The writing style was intimate and easy to understand, makes me want to read this book over and over again and also share this incredible experience with all the women in my life, I will be buying All You Could Ask For as presents for all my girlfriends this Holiday Season...

I have to admit I was nervous about this book. A sportscaster writing a novel through the eyes of three women?? Seriously?? But all I can say is wow! The emotions throughout this book were intense! I loved it! The story pulls you in immediately. I can't recommend this book highly enough!! The way the stories get interwoven took me by surprise. An amazing book!

All You Could Ask For, debut novel by Mike Greenberg, cohost of ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning, is a tender and insightful story of friendship and love, heartbreak and renewal, played out in the lives of three unforgettable women.Brooke has been happily married to her college sweetheart for fif

Disclaimer: I am a huge sports nut. College sports are my favorite and I follow several teams, mostly big TEN and U. of Michigan. However, I am literate enough to have a short discussion about several sports (basketball, football, hockey, and a little baseball)... but the thing is that I feel sports mirrors many situations in life: drama, hardship, illness, injury, death, grit, perseverance, no one but you believes in you...I could go on but I'm sure already you are yawning. Anyhow, to start my day at the gym with ESPN's Mike and Mike has been my mantra for years. I love these guys. Not only are they all knowing about the various sports but they are both grads from college's A list...Greeny from Northwestern and other Mike from Notre Dame. So I preface this because they are not your average jock type guys. OK...that is over.Mike Greenberg, "Greeny", has two previous books so he is no virgin. He is as passionate about breast cancer as he is about sports. He decided after watching a good friend, Heidi, battle and lose her fight that he would develop a novel about three women (invented) each with a distinct voice and persona that eventually meet...as they each confront this horrible disease. I thought, "are you effing kiddin' me... a guy, a sports guy, is going to write a novel in women's voices? really? is it possible?"And as much as I love Mike Greenberg I decided to see if he pulled it off. And I think he did. Honest, even though I feel I know him ... watching him all this time and of course, I don't. PLUS 100% of the profits go to fighting breast cancer. So I have to applaud him on all counts. And know I really must read his first book WHY MY WIFE THINKS I'M AN IDIOT. HAHAHAHA

So much draws me to this book at first look… the cover is gorgeous and inviting, it is a party I hope I am invited to. It’s written about three strong women, each very different in how they live their lives…. and probably most intriguing – it is written by a man. I dove into All You Could Ask For with a sense of adventure (remember the party cover? I knew I was in for some fun) And I was in for some fun, all three women each had qualities that appealed to me as to how they lived their lives. Brooke’s marriage sounded amazing and fun, Samantha’s desire to push herself physically through triathlon challenges brought out the sports girl in me, and I was impressed by Katherine’s work ethics – although misplaced, she was in a good spot financially. Of course, as in all great reads, I had a favorite character… and I am not going to tell but I will say that at the end of the book it was fun to find out that the authors favorite was the same as mine.For the rest of my review go to:http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2014...

you know a book is good when you have to miss a day of work to finish. I have never been so impressed with a mans ability to tell a womans story. the characters are lovable, powerful and emotional. I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend when I finished the book and wept. when this book was chosen for book club I had low expectations, but I have never looked so forward to having a discussion. all through the book I had it at 4 stars because I do not give 5 stars lightly...but the powerful emotional response I had at the end warranted a perfect score. I still can't sleep bc the tears won't stop and I almost wish I had a support group to discuss this book with immediately because its been a long time since a fictional story has left me feeling so inspired. I am not as eloquent as the author so I will stop my gushing now, but this is a must read. if ever I have wanted to bring characters to life and befriend them, its these 3 women!

I am not a sports person and I can honestly say that I did not know who Mike Greenberg was until I read something about him through this book. I did enjoy reading this book because I felt a connection by the womens' lives explained in this book. I have seen and heard from my friends that have gone through similar experiences in their lives that were told in this book. The cancer part I did not see it coming, but I really liked it because I could relate to the feelings they had during the time of healing. On the side note, Mike may not know how to describe women or their lives, but only you as a person knows yourself too well. He may have not told every little detail of their lives but he captured some point of their personality and how they lived their lives. I do plan on reading more of Mikes books in the future and I hope he keeps writing. I might even have to get into the sports hype.

This is not the review I thought I'd be writing.Let me start by saying that I am an ardent fan of Greeny. If Mike & Mike has a guest host, I'll only listen if the host is taking Golic's place. But to say that I was skeptical of Greeny's ability to write a book narrated by women? That would be understating it. I thought this would be a one-star review, an "I love you Greeny but your book sucks" kind of a thing.Nope. I just plain liked this book. It was, of course, underlined with terrible sadness. You cannot read this book without knowing that going in. It's obviously a very personal sadness for Greeny. That's made very clear. I hadn't expected it to touch me so much. So: it's a very nice little read, and it's a very sweet book, underneath all that sadness. Give it a chance. The sportscaster can write.

Mike Greenberg has penned an alluring tale of three women unconnected until they a similar event happens to all three in the same time period. Part One has a breezy yet self-assured feel as we learn about the characters individually each voice leading up to the moment that is the best day of their entire lives. At this point my anticipation is high on what crises will connect the women. I turn the page to start Part Two and my heart sinks as crisis is immediately apparent. But I will credit the author with writing a credible situation in an honest realistic manner that had me totally engaged and rooting for each of the women as they make the best decisions for themselves. I enjoyed this beautifully crafted story that speaks to happiness, friendship, and living your life to the fullest.

Sports writer Mike Greenberg delves into the world of chick literature in this book telling the story of three women's whose lives intersect after they find out they have cancer. As Greenberg explains he was moved to write the book after one of his wives best friends had a similar diagnosis. It is a creditable job but nothing spectacular. It is very choppy at the beginning as each of the women rate a page and a half roughly then is on to the story of another of the three. So this is a book for someone who likes Cable Headline News rather than in depth coverage. So, it is great for someone who bores quickly due to its fast pace. It does settle down a bit after the women meet. It is a good first effort for any author but you can give him bonus points for being a "sensitive" man.