Celebrity Birthdays in January

            Have you wondered what celebrities have birthdays in January? Here are some books about and/or written by a few of them.

            Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in England. The renowned physicist is known for his work on quantum mechanics, his writings for popular audiences as well as academic ones, and for his disability caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His classic work A Brief History of Time: from the Big Bang to Black Holes, originally published in 1988, discusses questions about space, time, and the origin and fate of the universe. Another book, My Brief History, is the story of Hawking’s life including his childhood, education, and work.

            Kate Middleton, or Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was born on January 9, 1982, in England. She is the wife of the future king of England, Prince William. In Kate: the Future Queen, written by Katie Nicholl, we learn about her childhood, education, and relationships. Kate Style: Chic and Classic Look, written by Alisande Healy Orme, is devoted to the wardrobe, makeup and hairdos of Kate; and includes information about her favorite shops and designers.

            Betty White was born on January 17, 1922, in the United States. She is a Hollywood celebrity who got her start in radio, then transitioned to television in a variety of sitcoms (including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Golden Girls) and game shows. The book Betty White: the First 90 Years, written by Andrew E. Stoner, recounts her life and acting career from birth to the present – age 93! In Betty and Friends: My Life at the Zoo, written by White, we learn of her lifelong love of zoo animals and her work as an animal welfare advocate. She has been a trustee of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association since 1974.

            Michelle Obama was born on January 17, 1964 in the United States. She is the current First Lady, a lawyer and the author of the book American Grown: the Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens across America. This book describes how she and her daughters established a vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House; encompassing the First Lady’s interests in healthy eating, gardening, and prevention of childhood obesity. Also included are recipes created by White House chefs using foods from the harvests.

            Guy Fieri was born on January 22, 1968 in the United States. He is a television personality on the Food Network, a co-owner of five restaurants and a co-author of several books about food. In Guy on Fire: 130 Recipes for Adventures in Outdoor Cooking, Guy presents a range of dishes suitable for barbeques, camping, and tailgating. In Diners, Drive-Ins, Dives, the Funky Finds in Flavortown: America’s Classic Joints and Killer Comfort Food the reader gets lots of recipes, character sketches and photos of some of America’s most iconic restaurants.