Jen Maxfield

3.5 stars for me.

Thank you to Greenleaf publisher and the author for this ARC.

What a refreshing change from the usual types of memoirs I've read. She is a local reporter from New York and she covered mostly New Jersey where she lives. She focused on ordinary/every day people. Years later, she went back to these people to follow-up. Some were success stories and some were with the families of people who unfortunately are gone because of their death. Some didn't even want to talk to her which show more is understandable due to the circumstances.

I cried while reading some of these stories and not just from sadness but also from happiness because of where they are now or because of what some of the families are doing to help keep their children's memory alive by doing good deeds. show less

Very interesting idea to go back and find out what happened after the "story" ended. Each chapter is a different story this author reported on over the years, a story that she held in her heart, wondering what happened to the people afterward.
The stories are varied, some with much happier endings than others, and it was a good insight into the life of a reporter... the hours, the struggles, the horrific things they have to cover, and how those events affect them.
Thank you to NetGalley and show more the publisher for providing me this audiobook that is a good reminder of how everyone we hear about in the news is human, has loved ones who care about them, and their story is never over after the camera is turned off. show less

For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

More After the Break: A Reporter Returns to Ten Unforgettable News Stories by Jen Maxfield is a memoir in which the author goes back to find out what happened to some of the people she covered over the years. Mrs. Maxfield is an award-winning TV reporter for the NY, NJ, CT markets, an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, and a lecturer.

My friend Mark, a Tony-winning TV show more cameraman, which I used to work out with, has told me that the saying in network news is “if it can bleed, it can die”. Since then, I have heard from other people about the nastiness of the industry.

During COVID, Mrs. Maxfield started looking up what happened to some of the people she interviewed who touched her. This curiosity prompted this book. I remember that many years ago, so many I forgot when the folks who work in Israeli TV went on strike. This was when there was only one channel. The talent went on the road for speaking engagement, telling behind-the-scenes stories, making jokes, conversations, and more. Those were wonderful events, and this book reminded me of them.

Living in Northern New Jersey for much of my life, I certainly have seen Mrs. Maxfield on TV. Like the people you meet in your high school reunion, some of the stories she wrote about are very familiar, others vaguely, and others I have no recollection of.

In her book, More After the Break TV reporter Jen Maxfield counters those claims but does admit it’s a difficult profession to be in. The author follows up on a few of the many stories she covered over the years, in more detail than a few seconds on TV.

What surprised me about this book, is the honesty, as well as openness with which the author writes. For a short book, about various subjects, each one with its own history, it’s surprisingly candid. Mrs. Maxfield is honest about her feelings as an intruder in people’s most difficult times. The death of a child or a loved one, funerals, horrific accidents, and more. Even though she makes sure to tell the audience she tries to be sensitive and not shove camera or microphone in people’s faces, it still takes a tremendous about of chutzpah to knock on someone’s door and beg for an interview, the day their child died.

I don’t know if Mrs. Maxfield wrote this book as part of a speaking campaign, or just out of curiosity about her old stories during COVID, as she mentioned. Either way, it’s a very enjoyable, open, personal, and sometimes tear-jerking book well worth reading. show less

Each interview brings up memories and so resonates in different ways.
There are favorite parts within each person's story.

Adding to the praise, MORE AFTER THE BREAK enriches our lives in the
author's inspired retelling of her assignments to Ten major news events
of the past twenty years and the personal stories of their aftermath.

Opening with "Angel on the Ferry" delivers a strong unforgettable lead,
while "The Big One" is more scattered. Concern about make-up contrasts
with not simply buying show more Isabella a heater to save her life.

Concerned readers will be sending healing energy to Kelly and hope that she has found peace.

Why could our U.S. Presidents not intervene to help Chris and Terrance?

((Why don't TV Newscasters and Photographers simply leave kid's funerals alone?
It would be a rare parent who wants their child's funeral "covered."))

The horror of the mother allowing a Big Birthday Pig Roast Celebration
contrasts wildly with the Father calling 911 on his son.

Tiffany's bravery in standing up to ALL abusive people is amazing.
Readers wait to hear that the author helped to find a secure and safe location
for her and her children, maybe with new names and police protection.

What a difference between her verbally abusive mother and Darren's father.

With "Paramus Strong," it was a relief that Zaina's concussion had no lasting effects.

Giselle, Yarilis, and another Isabella offer strength for the ages!

The life of TV Journalists is fueled by other people's tragedies so it can feel weird
when they "...compartmentalize the tragedy..."

Thank you to GREENLEAF! show less