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Book Synopsis
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.Review Quotes
"Jennette McCurdy is the queen of lemonade from lemons, using her trauma to weave a painfully funny story that also illuminates the commodification of teenage girls in America. An important cultural document just as much as a searingly personal one."--Lena Dunham "Jennette's road to finding herself--removed from the expectations of her mother--is impressively funny. She fuses nuanced relationships, complex grief, religious whiplash and Hollywood trauma into a bold story with a specific comedic voice."--Jerrod Carmichael "How can a book be so sad and also so funny? It's an art, and Jennette McCurdy has mastered it here. I'm Glad My Mom Died is hysterical and heartbreaking and fascinating all at the same time."--Jenny Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things and Broken (in the Best Possible Way) "I'm Glad My Mom Died is furious, sad, brave, knowing, honest, heart-wrenching, and utterly compelling. McCurdy writes with a keen insight and startling compassion. Whether showing how dysfunction can seem normal to those most affected, the torture of eating disorders, or the mindfuck that is child stardom, McCurdy brings readers deep into the milieu so often hidden from outsiders. This is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story as fearless as its author." --Lauren Hough, New York Times bestselling author of Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing "Jennette McCurdy's book is a coruscating picture of her life as a child actor, devastatingly honest and with great understanding of the psychology and emotions operating at a deep level. It's a riveting read, entertaining and very touching."--Hayley Mills, New York Times bestselling author of Forever Young "Jennette's career as an actor was simply a character in a much more important story. She is a natural writer with a wonderful sense of humor. Her story is heartbreaking with a nice balance of hopeful. I could not put this book down."--Laraine Newman, original cast member of Saturday Night Live and author of May You Live in Interesting Times "[An] explosive debut...insightful and incisive, heartbreaking and raw, McCurdy's narrative reveals a strong woman who triumphs over unimaginable pressure to emerge whole on the other side. Fans will be rapt."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "McCurdy asks readers a question: When and how does one rid oneself of the cage created by others and walk freely? Her stunning debut offers fierce honesty, empathy for those that contributed to her grief, and insights into the hard-fought attachments and detachments of growing older."--Booklist (starred review) "Delivered with captivating candor and grace."--Kirkus (starred review)
About the Author
Jennette McCurdy starred in Nickelodeon's hit show iCarly and its spin-off, Sam & Cat, as well as in the Netflix series Between. In 2017, she quit acting and began pursuing writing/directing. Her films have been featured in the Florida Film Festival, the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival, Short of the Week, and elsewhere. Her essays have appeared in HuffPost and The Wall Street Journal. Her one-woman show I'm Glad My Mom Died had two sold-out runs at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles. She hosts a podcast called Empty Inside, which has topped Apple's charts and features guests speaking about uncomfortable topics. She lives in Los Angeles.Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 320
Genre: Biography + Autobiography
Sub-Genre: Personal Memoirs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Author: Jennette McCurdy
Language: English
Street Date: August 9, 2022
TCIN: 86794182
UPC: 9781982185824
Item Number (DPCI): 059-01-6004
Origin: Made in the USA
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1.42 inches length x 6.31 inches width x 9.27 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.03 pounds
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4.9 out of 5 stars with 273 reviews
90% would recommend
52 recommendations
Loved it !
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Ana - 1 month ago
Really enjoyed this one. Finished the whole thing during hurricane helene!
Page Tuner
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
BookWorm3 - 1 month ago, Verified purchaser
I’ve never related to a book so much. This was a page turner to say the least. I could read this book over and over. Must read!
A worthwhile read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
emilybee - 6 months ago, Verified purchaser
This book was incredibly sad, raw, and insightful into the lives of child stars. My heart goes out to Jenette after reading this, and she tells her story so well.
Read it but with caution.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Momoftwoanddogmom - 8 months ago, Verified purchaser
This is an incredibly interesting read. I would say trigger warning for all topics you can imagine so make sure you are in a good place to read it. It is interesting to hear her work through some complicated issues it sounds like she is still trying to resolve. She has an interesting experience and it really makes you reflect on the impact we have as mothers.
Amazing read!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Steph - 8 months ago, Verified purchaser
I read this book in two days. It was addicting and I didn't want to stop. I love the use of humor throughout the book and the way she explained her life and acting experience. I highly recommend this book.
Slightly triggering, slightly healing
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
jackieo - 11 months ago, Verified purchaser
I never cared for iCarly, I solely purchased this book based off the title. And I couldn’t stop, I had to force myself to take breaks as there is so much being disclosed with such depth, that you immediately emotionally connect with Jeanette. Esp if you’ve gone through similar, traumatic experiences. I’d like her to write another book. About her life now and how far she’s come in her healing journey.
Easy read.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Bre - 11 months ago, Verified purchaser
Easy read. For someone who doesnt like to read and is trying to get better about reading. It was easy to read, stop, and keep wanting to read more.
Made up trauma profiteering
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Tim A - 11 months ago
Fake and awful. Zero effort has been done to confirm any of the abuse allegations. Funny she was still praising her and even using her cancer to promote her country music career up until the end. Now that she's dead all this to sell a book. Jeannette comes off very poorly here.
Could not finish
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Reads - 1 year ago, Verified purchaser
This book was over hyped.
Wow
5 out of 5 stars
- 1 year ago
really interesting book it's a must read
Very good book
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Aileen - 1 year ago
Such a good book would definitely recommend. Funny, sad and reality
No more stickers!!!
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
No more stickers - 1 year ago, Verified purchaser
book arrived in great condition...took a lot longer to deliver than previously stated...aside from that my only complaint is why are they putting stickers on the cover of the books?!?! I really wish that they would make book-friendly stickers that are easily removed without leaving residue so it doesn't leave you with the only options of ruining the covers be removing the sticker or leaving that sticker (which nobody wants to do)
Recommand
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Heh - 1 year ago, Verified purchaser
Love this book and how she articulates her life.
Can't put it down
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Aquarius - 1 year ago, Verified purchaser
I can't put it down. it's a great read into what she was going through as a child to young woman. She has sarcasm behind her pain it keeps you reading more and more, and it makes you tears up and at the same time. And mad at her mother, I'm almost done reading the book it's definitely something you should read.
Great Read!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
trueshopper - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
It's been hard for me to get back into reading, but this book was so easy to read! It truly felt like I was having a conversation with the author, and it was an eye-opening book. Highly recommend- the hype around this book is well deserved!
Get this. It will be worth it.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Anna - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
Wow. This book. Wow. So worth the read. I couldn't put it down,bi think I finished in a few days! I grew up watching her on iCarly, I would have never guessed what a life she had. This is is an incredible, sad, and humorous book that is definitely worth the read
Couldn't put it down
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Sam - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
Best book I read last year
Great Service!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Alma - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
quick and easy pick up transaction! this is a great book finished in 3 days! loved it!
Great read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Vanessakn2 - 2 years ago
Beautifully written, very raw and disturbing in some parts. I could NOT put this book down once I started reading it.
Amazing - perfect for our generation
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Aly - 2 years ago
She’s a brilliant writer who really communicates the emotions and meanings of moments. Yes, the stories don’t “finish” but the intended meaning in story is conveyed. It’s ominous and really let’s you put your feet in her shoes. To be honest, I felt very seen for my own experiences with maternal narcissistic abuse. It’s about time we start talking about it.