Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
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This week’s neglected book
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy Narrator: Jennette McCurdy
Published by Simon and Schuster Audio on August 9, 2022
Genres: Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs
Length: 6 hours 25 minutes
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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* #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER * MORE THAN 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD!
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.
Why did I add I’m Glad My Mom Died to my bookshelf?
I have heard so many good things about this book. I am not one to normally pick up celebrity memoirs but every once in a while one will grab my attention. My girls were fans of iCarly and Sam & Cat so I have watched quite a bit of Jennette McCurdy’s acting work. It is horrible to think that her life behind the scenes was less than pleasant. My daughter recommended this book to me so I hope to get to it sometime soonish.
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it?
I did hear how terrible it was for this actress to be a child star. It’s sad. I never really thought much about their lives off camera, other than living celebrity lives and doing whatever kids do! Hope you enjoy this one once you get to read it!
I’ve not planned on picking this one up (because I have no idea who McCurdy is lol), but there’s no denying this one really made a splash. I’ve seen a lot of raves for it.
I keep meaning to read this one but have never made it a priority. Hopefully I can get to it sometimes this quarter.
My daughter read this and loved it!I’m trying to get to it too Carole! I hope we both love it!📚💜
Kc reviewed it on Books of My Heart and gave it 5 hearts so I guess she enjoyed it. It’s not the kind of book I read very often.
I haven’t read it
I’ve seen this book everywhere, but never actually saw a review of it before. I’m not familiar with Jennette McCurdy’s work, personally, but I have heard stories of other bad situations that child stars were in. I hope you enjoy reading this when you pick it up!
I remember seeing great buzz for this one. McCurdy’s childhood is sort of sad.
You might not believe it, but I just finished this book! It has been on my TBR for so long. It’s an engaging read and quite terrible–but in an enlightening, I’m-glad-this-is-being-said kind of way. I know McCurdy isn’t the only child star who suffered in all of these ways, and I’m glad she was able to put her story out there. Maybe it will help the next few generations of young stars.
Not really into memoirs unless its with someone I am truly invested in. I have seen this around a ton and hope you end up loving this one and that the hype is worth it. Sounds like some solid issues being addressed.
I’ve never heard of this one.
I am a bit intrigued
I’m planning on getting the audio for this one at some point. I’ll be curious to see what you think of it.
I absolutely loved this book, and this is as someone who didn’t watch her shows. So heartbreaking, but she’s so strong. It’s too bad she HAS to be that strong. I read it in a couple of hours.