Reviewing The New Jennette McCurdy’s Book!

Book: I’m Glad My Mom Died
Author: Jennette McCurdy
Genre: Memoir
Age Limit: 17+
Trigger Warnings: Eating Disorder, Child Abuse, Emotional Abuse

Goodreads Summary:

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 worsen 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.

My Review:

This was very raw and heartbreaking. I did not have any knowledge about Jennette and you don’t need to know her to read this memoir. As you read more you will get to know about her and the trauma she had to go through. I could not believe that she went through such abuse from her mother and she wasn’t aware of it until she was an adult. This was very disturbing to read but, she wrote it with honesty and candor so it made me read more. She uncovers what she went through since the age of six and on the set of Nickelodeon while shooting iCarly. She spills the real tea and does not hesitate to talk about her co-actors, how she felt about them and how was she treated. It is surprising because celebrity memoirs usually do not share the details and reality. She has written this so truthfully and has shared her story so well. Although I would say that coming to the After part, it became a bit slow. But other than that, this book is worth the read. While reading, I had to constantly remind myself that this is real. Her book conveys that moms are always kept on a pedestal and sometimes when a child is not treated properly, they are afraid to express their feelings because of what people will say. This is a very important topic and Jennette handled it very well in her book.

What I Liked:

• The rawness and truthfulness of her story
• Adding dark humor to the book
• Her coping during therapy

What I Did Not Like:

• It became a bit slow coming to the after part

What You Should Read Next:

• Educated by Tara Westover
• Know My Name by Chanel Miller

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I really liked this book, very painful read. I recommend reading this book!
Happy Reading!
Rabhya.