I read this book in 2 days. If you are a fan of the Jon&Kate+8 series on the TLC channel you will enjoy reading the story on how the sextuplets came about.Though most people are already aware that the use of fertility treatments are the reason for so many babies at one time. This book gives you some insight into the emotional and financial roller coaster that this couple endured to bring these babies to a safe delivery. The book is written in Kate's point of view and i can almost hear her talking as i am reading it.She touches on some things that the t.v. show has not discussed, their religious faith being one of them. Jon's loss of employment at such a critical time in their lives, the loss of loved ones and the overwhelming amount of time and care that 2 preschoolers and 6 infants needed all at once.
At times Kate takes on the tone of defending herself quite a bit in the book. Explaining things to readers that might not otherwise have questioned or known about.I get the feeling sometimes that she has written the book for the sole purpose of defending herself against some of her critics. She talks about how some of the volunteers who came into her home to help with the infants might not have a very good opinion of her because of her strict rules and guidelines she set. She makes no apologies for some of the demands she made on hospital staff and those who helped care for her infants once they came home.At times she comes across as ungrateful(her words-not mine)and wants to correct that by saying more than once how grateful she truely is for all that has been given to her family.
Over all i think this was a good book, it was definitely a quick read and has only a few tidbits of info that has not been disclosed on the t.v. series. If you are a fan of the show, you will definitely enjoy this book.

Share/Like this Review?

This book offers so much more info than you have ever heard on the show!! Great book, sometimes I was crying sometimes I was lauging....Great great great read. Only took me three hours to read!
Christina

Share/Like this Review?

This book was great! Kate Gosselin came across as direct and outspoken as she is in the reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8". She told the story as if she were telling it to a close friend - the good, the bad, the embarassing and the wonderful. Jon and Kate's faith shines through every word. I laughed, cried and was filled with joy when I read of the blessings they received from the Lord during the pregnancy and birth of the sextuplets. Kate's descriptions of the children while they were in NICU are amusing. She describes Joel's personality as an "exact replica of his daddy's personality - not too many ups, not too many downs, just steady and relaxed, go with the flow, and never in a hurry." This book tells of the emotional and physical challenges Jon and Kate faced from the time the babies were conceived through the first two years. On the back cover it reads "Eight children in three years? Impossible! Kate and Jon Gosselin have learned that through God, all things are possible - though sometimes slightly improbable." When you read this book you will feel a part of the wonderous ride through life the Gosselin family has embarked on.

Share/Like this Review?

I really like this show! But the book was boring. The book says it's written by Jon & Kate, and Beth... but it is written in the first person, Kate. It's less about the kids and more about her. It's a lot about her faith in God which I was surprised about seeing that I don't think I have ever seen them go to church or talk about God on the show. I read the book about the Duggars and was impressed about that book, this book, not so much. Kate is anoying.

Share/Like this Review?

Even if you have been watching Jon & Kate Plus Eight for the past 4 years on TLC, this book will be a new insight into the early years of the Gosselin family. It is a fun read that shares Jon and Kate's journey through infertility to expanded family. The book focuses on the things that happened before TLC began their documentary, which I liked because it gave me a better understanding of how they became the family I see each week on TV.

Share/Like this Review?

This book was not exactly what I expected and I have to say I was more than a little disappointed. It did give some interesting backstory to one of the best known families in the US, but it was full of some cringeworthy writing and stories.

I won't question Kate Gosselins supposed Christianity, but the scriptures and spiritual references thrown in every other paragraph came across as a not-so-subtle attempt to suck in their target demographics. If you're a fan of the show, or have followed any of the media stories, it will leave you scratching your head and checking the cover to make sure this is indeed the same Kate Gosselin you've heard consistently being verbally abusive, dismissive and flat out rude.

The title was also a little strange to me- "Surviving to Thriving". There's no thriving in this story. Their's just a lot of complaining and justification for bad behavior. She even complains about the volunteers who gave so much of their time and money the first few years, expressing distain when a group of them made small-talk about mundane matters.

I don't know that I could recommend this book. It made me really dislike Kate Gosselin more than I already did. This book should have been titled "How Not to be an Ungrateful Shrew".

Share/Like this Review?

I read this book in a couple of days. It was a great read. Made me think of the blessings I am given each day and is quite an inspirational book.

Share/Like this Review?

This book was an easy read that I finished in a couple of days. It was interesting to see all the references to God and Kate's faith as that doesn't come across strongly on the show.

If you enjoy reading about other people's lives, I think you would enjoy this book. I would rate it 4 of 5 stars.

Share/Like this Review?

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, even after all of the negative publicity surrounding the 2009 Season of 'John & Kate Plus Eight'. I have been a fan of the show since the first season, and have been inspired by how Kate has been able to juggle the joys and frustrations of raising eight children. The book gives alot of background information on the struggles that John and Kate went through, with lose of income, and their position on 'selective reduction'. Kate is very honest in this book about how she felt during these times, but she and John both depended on prayer and their faith to get them through the hard times. It's a small reminder that our lives are in God's hands; we can all use this reminder.

That said, I can say that I've noticed a difference in the tv show this season, and there seems to be less focus on how they are training the children to do the right things, and more on the events that are planned for them by the producers. Hopefully this is just a bump in the road, and this family will get back to what God has planned for them. I believe the children are a vehicle from God to get his message out to the people.

Share/Like this Review?

Kate and Beth do a wonderful job showing just how much work, worry, and faith in God there is for 6 babies and 2 toddlers. The tv show only gives fans of the Gosselins a small view into the daily Heavenly faith of the family, but the book goes into greater detail of how they made it through (and still are) with their family.

Share/Like this Review?

An interesting and entertaining read! If you are a fan of the show, you'll love this book, as it provides more info. about the Gosselin's life. Kate is an inspiration to me! She pops into my head whenever I think raising two children gets too hard, I know I can push through because she has managed to mother eight. Love the Gosselin's, good book too!

Share/Like this Review?

I loved this book. I read it in one day. I am a big fan of the show and am so sad what has happened to their marriage. This book was written before their marital problems so we see a different picture of the family. I love how Kate describes her faith and how it helped her throughout her pregnancy and the babies first year. I would highly recommend reading this if you are a fan of the show.

Share/Like this Review?

This is the story of Jon & Kate Gosselin and their eight children, a set of twins and sextuplets. The book is pretty much about all that had to be done to bring those sextuplets into the world and everything that had to be done afterwards to provide care for them on top of making two big sisters not feel left out.

It will give you a new respect for their family. A normal everyday in their house would probably overwhelm most people. It's very insightful and I finished the book in a day. Anybody that has watched the TV show Jon & Kate Plus 8 will enjoy this book!

Share/Like this Review?

I liked that this book was written from Kate's perspective as it gave me a glipmse into her life. The book covers topics I hadn't heard discussed on the television series like when she almost adopted a patient's child. I felt more connected to the family after reading this book. I liked that she discussed how the names were chosen for the children and then how she commented on their personality traits.

Share/Like this Review?

This was a quick read that gave insight into Kate Gosselin's personality as well as the challenges of birthing and raising multiples. It's especially sad in light of the collapse of their marriage, but the cracks in the relationship are evident, even though not acknowledged as such. It is abundantly evident that the family received a lot of help even before they turned to reality TV - if only they'd kept it that way instead of becoming celebrities.

Share/Like this Review?

I receved the book in the mail last night and finished it in one sitting. Knowing there are 440+ people waiting to read it I wanted to try to finish it as soon as possible to get it back in circulation. I thought I would take me a couple of days to read it but after starting I didn't want to put it down.

I love the way Kate describes her trials and how she was brought through them. Her faith in God has reminded me of my own blessings. I love way it shows how she isn't perfect and doesn't pretend to be but knows God is working on her and through her.

Even if your not religious I belive you will enjoy the book. It is an uplifting book and shows the generosity and goodness in people.

Share/Like this Review?

"Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving With Twins and Sextuplets" is well-written and definitely fills in the gap of time between the birth of the twins and sextuplets and the beginning of the Gosselins' reality show. That said, this book appeared to be written by Kate alone and I there is so much more to their story that could be shared. It would have been nice to hear Jon's perspective. Other than the lack of Jon's input, this book was an easy read and a good book to read if you are a fan of their show.

Share/Like this Review?

I love the show so I expected to love the book. I did; I read it in a day. The book details some areas of the Gosselin's life that the show hasn't touched on as much. It begins with Jon and Kate's courtship, and ends with them moving into the brick cape cod house. If, you the reader, appreciate Kate's forthrightness on the show, you should enjoy her same qualities in her written work. I love that she generously praised her husband in the book (much more so than on the show). I didn't realize the amount of help they received when the sextuplets were babies, as the show really takes off when they are toddlers venturing into the age of preschool. The book was initially written as a thank you to all the people who helped raise their brood, and to offer Kate's explanations for her methods of communication to the media, hospital staff, and to her volunteers. I think she and Jon are amazing, and very in tune with their children despite the size of their family, and the ages of the kids. If you like the show, "Jon & Kate plus 8", in my opinion, you will enjoy their story in written form.

Share/Like this Review?

Everything you ever wanted to know about Jon and Kate's struggle to have the sextuplets up to their settling into House #2. No surprises here, Kate writes 1st person fleshing out what those faithful followers of seasons 1 and 2 already know. What you will find here is just how much she and Jon have leaned on their faith and trust in God. A quick read, I did it in two short sittings.

Share/Like this Review?

Good read.

Share/Like this Review?

Read this book cover to cover in two days. Fun book to read.

Share/Like this Review?

I am giving this book a bad review only because I am SO sick of her talking about God. I am not a religious person and this annoyed me because it's all she talked about. She is obviously not a very good writer being so repeatative. OK you love God, I get it. I did find it interesting, though, to find out more info about the kids because I love the show

Share/Like this Review?

It was a really good book.

Share/Like this Review?

It was hard to put down. I don't understand how this book was written by three people since it is all in Kate's point of view. Kind of seems like a religious cache in, the way the show is a commercial cache in since they don't appear religious hardly ever on the show. Are these people just greedy? I didn't buy the book full price. Don't. Borrow it from the library.

Share/Like this Review?