I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

 I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy-CD Audio (5 discs, 6 hrs. 50 min.)-304 pages in print

I was looking for a shorter listen for my road trip this past weekend and I happened upon this. It stood out on the shelf, so I checked it out. I'm glad I did. I watched a few episodes of iCarly as a kid/teen, but not many. McCurdy's childhood sounds anything but mundane. Her mother had breast cancer when Jennette was two and she used it as leverage to get what she wanted. Her mom was extremely manipulative and volatile. She would kick her husband, Jennette's and her siblings' dad (although it would be revealed later he was not their biological dad), out often for a variety of questionable reasons. Jennette's mom would shower her well into her teens and sometimes even with one of her brothers together. Her mom would also go into the bathroom with her and wipe her butt until she was a tween. Her mom pushed her to get into acting even though she really didn't want to. Jennette thought her mom was perfect and wanted what was best for her, even though she didn't always like it. Jennette's mom taught her Anorexia when she was 11, which was right before she started on iCarly. Jennette thought she was failing if she didn't eat very little and keep her weight down. She wanted to keep looking like a kid. Her mom died of cancer (it came back) when she was around 26. Somewhere in all that time, she began to struggle with Bulimia and alcoholism to drown out her emotions. Through various relationships and other life events Jennette began to realize she had a problem with Bulimia and sought therapy. Her first experience with therapy ended poorly. Her second attempt went much better. It seems that she has gotten past her struggle with Bulimia, although I'm sure it's like any mental health struggle in that it's hard to truly get past it and it's a daily struggle to stay "sober." Jennette McCurdy's voice (she's the narrator) lends gravitas and richness to the listen and I thought this was a really good listen/read. I can see why the book is titled I'm Glad My Mom Died. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jannette McCurdy - 304 pages

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 iCarlyspinoff 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.

This was an eye opening book about what this mother did to her child, for her own idea of fame.  Watching her grow up in iCarly, and Sam and Cat, I now have a different appreciation for her talent 

All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot

                                                         

All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot-432 pages

#3 in the "All Creatures Great and Small" series.  What's not to love about a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales.  Since watching the series on PBS I have become enthralled with the era and the serenity of the characters and the beautiful countryside.  This book covers the time when James does his part for the war effort and joins the RAF.  He is newly married, and his wife Helen is pregnant and gives birth while he is away.  On his many marches and patrols,  he fondly reminisces about his life back in the Dales and the humans as well as the animal characters he has encountered.  I LOVE this series.  Highly recommend it.                        

     

Kids Say the Darndest Things by Art Linkletter

 Kids Say the Darndest Things by Art Linkletter-191 pages

I was in need of a good laugh.  So, when this book came across my desk I fondly remembered laughing during the program, even though I was just a kid myself at the time!  I enjoyed it very much and appreciated it even more now that I'm old.

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

 Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher, 163 pages (186 minutes)

Wishful Drinking is a charming and dazzlingly humorous memoir in which Carrie Fisher speaks insightfully on many topics, including by not limited to: electroshock thereapy, Hollywood incest amongst Hollywood royalty, how having Debbie Reynolds as her mother epically formed her life, the joys of mental illness, and just what one should do if one is forced into a metal bikini by a Hutt. 

It's a fun read, and it's especially great to listen to the audiobook as it is read by Fisher herself.  RIP Space Mom

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe and others

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe and others

331 pages

★★★

Singer and actress Janelle Monáe brings the Afrofuturistic world presented in her album Dirty Computer to life in this collection of science fiction stories written in collaboration with Yohanca Delgado, Eve L. Ewing, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, Sheree Renée Thomas. 

Memories are controlled by a totalitarian government and anyone with memories or self expressions that the New Dawn doesn’t approve of are “wiped” and memories are erased. A memory librarian is a keeper of everyone’s memories, but one librarian breaks free from the shackles of the government and this begins a revolution.

Despite being a little difficult to follow at times, this collection of short stories had an interesting perspective on politics, race, and LGBTQ+ struggles.

Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me. by Lily Collins

 Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me. by Lily Collins

240 pages

★★★

Star of Emily in Paris, The Mortal Instruments, To the Bone, and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, Lily Collins deep dives into the struggles from her life in this memoir. A collection of essays, Collins focuses on different aspects of her life, such as her abusive relationships, eating disorders, and family.

This was an interesting short read. I enjoy Collins’ acting and knew about her eating disorders from her role in To the Bone so I wanted to give this memoir a shot. It was published in 2017 so it’s a little out of date, but mostly I can just tell she’s a millennial because she uses the word “quirky” so often. Besides the first chapter, this was a good read.

Trejo's Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A. by Danny Trejo

Trejo's Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A. by Danny Trejo, 223 pages

Originally I checked this book out as an appendix of sorts because I'm reading Danny Trejo's biography and thought it might provide both additional insight to the man as well as some tasty authentic Mexican food. But once I started reading Trejo's stories, I was completely absorbed. This cookbook reads like a love letter to Trejo's family, his fans, and to L.A. itself. I felt like I was reading a proper memoir rather than a cookbook, like the recipes were just illustrations for the text. 

The recipes themselves were many and varied! All sounded delicious, including a recipe for vegan crema. The writing is open and accessible; the technical writing of the recipes themselves are direct and offer solutions to common issues. I'm not a great cook, but I can't wait to try my hand at some of these, especially the breakfast burritos. 

Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson

Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson-439 pages

AnnieLee Keyes (aka Rose) is an aspiring country music artist. She arrives in Nashville, Tennessee with little to her name and nowhere to stay. She soon meets Ethan Blake at the Cat's Paw bar owned by Ruthanna Ryder, who is a retired country music superstar. Secrets of AnnieLee's past are very slowly revealed through the story as she becomes an up-and-coming country music superstar, thanks to Ethan and Ruthanna. Will the secrets of AnnieLee's past get in the way of her rising stardom? Who is AnnieLee really? This is a somewhat suspenseful read, but it's a bit slow until the very end. I liked it, but would give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

I'd Like to Play Alone, Please by Tom Segura

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩

I'd Like to Play Alone, Please by Tom Segura - 240 pages

Tom Segura is known for his twisted takes and irreverent comedic voice. But after a few years of crazy tours and churning out podcasts weekly, all while parenting two young children, he desperately needs a second to himself. It’s not that he hates his friends and family — he’s not a monster — he’s just beat, which is why his son’s (ruthless) first full sentence, “I’d like to play alone, please,” has since become his mantra. 
 
In this collection of stories, Tom combines his signature curmudgeonly humor with a revealing look at some of the ridiculous situations that shaped him and the ludicrous characters who always seem to seek him out. The stories feature hilarious anecdotes about Tom's time on the road, including some surreal encounters with celebrities at airports; his unfiltered South American family; the trials and tribulations of parenting young children with bizarrely morbid interests; and, perhaps most memorably, experiences with his dad who, like any good Baby Boomer father, loves to talk about his bowel movements and share graphic Vietnam stories at inappropriate moments. All of this is enough to make anyone want some peace and quiet. 
 
I’D LIKE TO PLAY ALONE, PLEASE will have readers laughing out loud and nodding in agreement with Segura's message: in a world where everyone is increasingly insane, sometimes you just need to be alone.  

I am a fan of Tom's comedy so was pretty excited to give his book a go.  It wasn't too bad, it gave me a giggle every now and then.  I'll admit that nonfiction isn't my favorite genre, but I did enjoy this as a respite from horror, thriller and mystery books.  

How Y'all Doing? by Leslie Jordan

How Y'all Doing? by Leslie Jordan, 198 pages

From the MARC: "Viral sensation and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Jordan regales fans with entertaining stories about the odd, funny, and unforgettable events in his life in this unmissable essay collection that echoes his droll, irreverent voice. A Southern Baptist celebutante, first-rate raconteur, Emmy Award-winner, and keen observer of the odd side of life, Jordan had no idea how much his life would change when he "went viral." Here Jordan tells stories that make us laugh and lift our spirits even in the darkest days. Whether he is writing about his brush with a group of ruffians in a West Hollywood Starbucks, or an unexpected phone call from legendary Hollywood Debbie Reynolds, each story reflects his fresh and saucy humor and pure heart."

This was a very enjoyable read. Before Leslie Jordan became the darling of IG during the pandemic, I just thought of him as that guy that's in everything, but these essays made him real to me in a way most celebrity biographies do not. Frank and honest about both his sexuality and his recovery, Jordan is unflinching as he tells his stories in his distinct voice. 

Life Is Not a Stage by Florence Henderson

Life Is Not a Stage by Florence Henderson
288 pages

"Florence's father was a dirt-poor tobacco tenant farmer who was nearly fifty years old when he married Florence's twenty-five-year-old mother and was nearly seventy when Florence was born. Florence's childhood was full of deprivation and abandonment. Her father was an alcoholic at a time when there was no rehab or help for the disease. Their home rarely had electricity or running water. When she was twelve, Florence's mother left the family to work in Cleveland and never returned."

I'm a Brady Bunch nerd and enjoyed reading about Florence's life and her quick rise to fame in her late teens/early twenties.  What a story!  It was written well and an enjoyable read.

Unqualified by Anna Faris

Unqualified by Anna Faris - 306 pages

Anna Faris wrote a relationship "advice" book that is also a memoir.  It was interesting to read -- especially as right after the book was released she split with her husband.  It was a very quick read that kept you engrossed.  I thought it was a pretty good celebrity memoir.

Unqualified by Anna Faris

Unqualified by Anna Faris (Forward by Chris Pratt), 303 pages

I read this as an advance reader copy, but this book is set for sale on October 24, 2017.  I received this advance copy in June, so obviously it was written well before her and Chris Pratt announced their separation.  I had really been looking forward to reading this book and was quite disappointed they had separated.  Although, Chris does write a most affectionate introduction to her book.  If you watch the television show Mom and are familiar with Anna's acting career and podcast, you will really like this book.  I must admit I am more of a Chris Pratt fan, but there is still enough in this book to keep the Chris Pratt fan happy.  The book details her childhood as well as her career and marriage.

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick-275 pages

I've wanted to read this for a while, but just didn't get around to it until now. I tried to finish it for celebrity author month, but, obviously, I didn't. I did not like this as much as I expected. Kendrick's candor is admirable, but she talks quite a bit about her sex life (not graphically, per se) which I could do without. Another aspect I found wanting was all the language. I didn't expect quite as much (although, there wasn't a LOT) foul language. Overall, the book was an okay read, but I was a bit disappointed.

Resilience by Elizabeth Edwards

Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities by Elizabeth Edwards, 213 pages

I am not sure if any other book has made me cry at every turn of the page.  Maybe, it is because this was written in 2009 and I know how her life ended in 2010.  I don't know another women who could have gone through all the adversity she went through with such grace and character and the utmost respect from concerned family, friends, and strangers.  She probably endured the most painful event any parent could hope to never have to face, the death of her first born child Wade in a car accident in 1996.  This one event affected her life traumatically.  Her and her husband, future presidential candidate John Edwards, decided to have two more children at a later stage in their lives.  Then, while her husband was consumed with politics, she discovered she had breast cancer.  She battled the breast cancer only to have it come back a few years later as terminal cancer.  If that wasn't enough of a blow she discovered her husband cheated on her and fathered another child.  The pain Elizabeth Edwards suffered demonstrates resilience to the likes of which I have never witnessed before.  This was a very heartfelt and inspirational book.

Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution by Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution by Bernie Sanders, 226 pages

I knew a little about what Bernie Sanders platform was before I read this book, but this book definitely goes into more detail. This book is written to a young teen/teen audience to try to persuade them how they can make a difference in the future of our country and politics.  He goes into to great detail of raising the minimum wage, tax reform, and Wall Street.  Bernie provides detailed graphs and illustrations.  In the back of the book is a very helpful glossary.

I Loved Her In The Movies by Robert Wagner with Scott Eyman

I Loved Her In The Movies by Robert Wagner with Scott Eyman, 244 pages

Robert Wagner has written other books but this book is his personal memories of some of Hollywood's most legendary actresses.  You might remember Robert Wagner from the 60's TV show It Takes A Thief and the 1980s TV show Hart to Hart. But, before he stared in television shows, he did star in some earlier movies with some very famous leading ladies.  He writes about his personal interactions with these stars and even earlier stars when he had dated their daughters.  He divides his book by decades, the 30's through the 80's.  He writes about Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, and Glenn Close.  He also writes about his two famous wives the legendary Natalie Wood and his current wife, Jill St. John.

The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten. The Tweets of Steve Martin

The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten.
The Tweets of Steve Martin - 105 pages

This books collects some of the early tweets of comedian Steve Martin.  I never would have read this book if not for this month's reading challenge of celebrity authors.  I'm glad I did.  I found myself giggling out loud while reading most of the tweets in this book.  It's not just his original tweets, but also the responses he got to them from his twitter followers.  I would highly recommend reading this book if you are a Steve Martin fan.  I definitely plan to start following him on twitter.

Girling Up: How To Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular by Mayim Bialik, Ph.D.

Girling Up: How To Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular, by Mayim Bialik, Ph.D., 176 pages

You may know Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler from the hit television show Big Bang Theory.  Not only is Mayim an actress, she is also a mother, an author, and a neuroscientist. So, who better to write a book about growing up female than a real life scientist.  I would say if you are raising a girl approaching her teen years, this book is nice to have around. Not only does she include scientific facts about growing up, Mayim also includes personal anecdotes and illustrated drawings.