Who Would Like This Book:
This memoir grabs you from the first page with its raw honesty and sharp sense of humor - a rare combo that's both heartbreaking and laugh-out-loud funny. Jennette McCurdy’s writing is engaging and cleverly mirrors her age through each stage of her story, making the reading experience feel especially authentic. You'll enjoy this if you're interested in stories about mental health, complicated families, childhood stardom, or anyone searching for a memoir that goes beyond the typical celebrity tell-all. Even if you never watched iCarly, McCurdy's story stands strong on its own. Lovers of The Glass Castle or Educated - and anyone who's ever navigated the rocky terrain of a toxic relationship - will find something powerful here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This isn't a light or easy read: the book candidly details abuse, eating disorders, and deeply personal trauma, which may be tough for some readers. Those uncomfortable with dark humor or seeking a conventional, uplifting celebrity memoir may want to look elsewhere. If you're hoping for a juicy, name-dropping Hollywood exposé, you won't find that here - it's focused much more on emotions and recovery than industry gossip. Sensitive readers should be aware of potentially triggering content related to mental health, addiction, and familial abuse.
About:
Jennette McCurdy's memoir, 'I'm Glad My Mom Died', delves into her harrowing experiences with childhood abuse, manipulation, and the struggles of being a child star. The writing is described as straightforward and brutally honest, not shying away from the darker aspects of her life. Readers are taken on an emotional journey through Jennette's traumatic past, from her mother's abusive behavior to her battle with an eating disorder, all while navigating the complexities of fame and Hollywood.
The book is praised for its candid and vivid descriptions of Jennette's life, showcasing her resilience and courage in sharing her story with the world. Readers are left with a deep understanding of the challenges she faced growing up in the shadow of a narcissistic parent and the toll that child stardom took on her mental and emotional well-being.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include high levels of child abuse, emotional manipulation, eating disorders, and mental health challenges.
From The Publisher:
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
#1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor-including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother-and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother's dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called "calorie restriction," eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, "Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn't tint hers?" She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
In I'm Glad My Mom Died , Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail-just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly , she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi ("Hi Gale!"), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I'm Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.
Ratings (531)
Incredible (168) | |
Loved It (218) | |
Liked It (98) | |
It Was OK (38) | |
Did Not Like (6) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (879):
Read It (558) | |
Currently Reading (8) | |
Want To Read (216) | |
Did Not Finish (12) | |
Not Interested (85) |
25 comment(s)
It feels improper to rate a book like this one. How do you rate someone else's journey especially when such large amounts of vulnerability are required to write it?
Interesting memoir that delves into the personal issues of child stars in a way I found illuminating. The author is very honest which gives the book charm and the pov is written to remeber her own prospective at the time. This is a choice I liked but I feel like she sacrificed some self reflection. Maybe the part where she's in therapy could've been longer/delt with more. Still, a very good novel that deserves the hype it gets, as depressing as it is to read.
Authentically raw, painful, funny, and heartbreaking.
Czytałam tę książkę bardzo długo, bo ciężko było przebrnąć przez niektóre fragmenty (w szczególności jako, że wychowywałam się na serialach, w których występowała Jennette).
Można by wiele rzeczy powiedzieć o tej książce, ale nazwałabym ją po prostu must readem nie tylko dla fanów Jennette, ale również dla osób, które w dzieciństwie oglądały pewną pomarańczową stronę (nie chodzi o cornhuba, a mogłoby się tak wydawać).
Jennette ma przyjemne pismo i jest to, moim zdaniem, jedna z najlepszym książek wydanych przez celebrytów, bo można wczuć się w historię z perspektywy autorki i wiele problemów można utożsamić z wydarzeniami w naszych marnych, pospolitych, szarych życiach.
5/5 polecam
Couldn't put this down. Highly recommend.
I LOVE the audiobook. The way she narrators it really put it's in perspective of how she literally didn't want any parts of the life her mother forced her to live. I'm glad she's discovering who she is now. That is so important. What a great ending! I wouldn't go back either sis....
I LOVE the audiobook. The way she narrators it really put it's in perspective of how she literally didn't want any parts of the life her mother forced her to live. I'm glad she's discovering who she is now. That is so important. What a great ending! I wouldn't go back either sis....
I LOVE the audiobook. The way she narrators it really put it's in perspective of how she literally didn't want any parts of the life her mother forced her to live. I'm glad she's discovering who she is now. That is so important. What a great ending! I wouldn't go back either sis....
Listened to the audio book and loved it from her voice. I wasn’t a huge iCarly fan so I didn’t know a lot of the details but her story is powerful. Definitely check the trigger warnings.
5 stars
it feels really strange to rate this book considering how she pours her heart and soul into this. it was perfect to me, perfectly written, not a dull moment, heartfelt, raw, beautiful, ugly all at the same time.
jennette has earned my utmost respect. I cannot imagine picking myself up and starting anew after undergoing all that she did. she is a shining example of perseverance.
growing up, I looked up at child stardom with awe. I remember binging all the behind the scenes footage of disney and nickelodeon stars longingly, ‘what a fantastic life they must have’ I remember thinking.
all I can say is that everyone is fighting their own battles behind closed doors. things are never as perfect as they seem…be a little kinder, a little more patient, and a little more loving, the world needs it!!
What can you read after
I'm Glad My Mom Died?
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