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 

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights by Matthew McConnaughey-Audio CD-6 discs, 6 hr., 45 min. (308 pages in print)

 

I listened to this on a recent road trip and it was an enlightening, interesting listen/read. It was really good to listen to it in the author's voice. It's good to hear how he intended it to be read. McConaughey shares stories from his past as they relate to the overall theme of what he terms green lights. He shares about his upbringing and how his parents were twice divorced and thrice married to each other. He shares stories of the "tough love" that his parents and siblings showed towards him and each other. He then delves into how he got into acting and some of the early roles he played. He opens up about many different experiences and journeys he has had up until now. He travelled to Australia after high school for one year and lived with a very unique family as an exchange student. He rode a rented motorcycle across Europe with friends from his first film before getting his start in Hollywood. He also discusses how he met his wife. He shares different philosophies for living that he calls prescriptions. One such philosophy that resonated with me is to "define your success." I did enjoy reading (listening to) this book and it's fun to get insights into celebrities' lives. They're human just like us. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, 389 p.

"Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways."--Goodreads blurb

 This book has been on my radar for many years now and boy do I wish I'd read it sooner. I loved this book. So well-written, emotional, and engrossing. This was my first book by Reid, though I see her name everywhere. I will definitely be trying some more of her books, as she is phenomenal. 

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.

The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick

The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick - 355 pages

Oliver Ward is intrigued by reporter Irene Glasson who discovered a dead woman floating in his hotel's pool.  Irene is determined to expose new Hollywood star Nick Tremayne as the killer.  Oliver is determined to protect Irene . . .

This is a historical romance by Jayne Ann Krentz under her pen name Amanda Quick.  She usually writes regency romances.  This is her first romance set in the 1930s and I really enjoyed it.  She tends to write more modern thinking female characters than fit into her usual time period.  So it wasn't as jarring in this book as in some of her other historicals.

Last Night At The Viper Room: River Phoenix And The Hollywood He Left Behind by Gavin Edwards

Last Night At The Viper Room: River Phoenix And The Hollywood He Left Behind by Gavin Edwards, 273 pages

I liked the previous book I had read by Gavin Edwards so I looked in to other books he had written and was surprised that he had written this biography on River Phoenix.  I had heard of this book before and thought it had received good reviews.  Having only seen a few of his movies, I decided to read more about the troubled life of River Phoenix and what may have lead to that tragic overdose in front of that favorite celebrity hangout, The Viper Room, which at the time was owned by Johnny Depp.

What I read was the life of a troubled child born to hippy parents in the early 1970s.  River's parents traveled throughout the west coast of the United States and Florida, even ending up in Venezuela with his family working as missionaries.  The family eventually ended up back in Florida.  River was active in the music seen as well as becoming a young movie star.  One of his break out rolls was in the coming of age movie Stand By Me.  River went on to make many movies.  Many I had not heard of before.  I had seen the movie Sneakers with River Phoenix and Robert Redford.  River was a lost soul who was never able to find himself fitting into the early 1990s Hollywood seen.  River Phoenix died outside the Viper Room on October 31st, 1993, at the age of only 23.

Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham, 224 pages

In this fun and funny autobiography, Lauren Graham gives us the good stuff about what it was like filming Gilmore Girls the first time, and then going back to the same character many years later. Well, maybe not ALL the good stuff. Graham's casual writing style and injected jokes make this a quick and breezy read, yet so interesting for us fans of both GG and Graham in general. 

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick, 275 pages

I am not a big Anna Kendrick fan, but I do enjoy celebrity biographies.   I should have paid more attention to the title.  It took me a while to get into this book and when I did, it only lasted about ten pages.  The book follows Anna as she travels from her hometown in Maine to auditions in New York where she does land some impressive parts.  The book follows her move to LA to become a screen star.  She does score parts in the Twilight series and the movie Up in the Air with George Clooney.  Most people know Anna from the Pitch Perfect movies and her song Cups. Although this book is about a Hollywood star, I think Anna should have waited to write a memoir until she had a little more life under her belt then just the 31 years she is.

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch - Alison Arngrim

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch - Alison Arngrim - 320  pages

Okay, so I watched a lot of Little House when I was growing up, and even now if I see a re-run, it is ON (does anyone else do that?  Re-watch all those shows you watched as a kid to see exactly how they warped you?).  And, confession time: Nellie Olsen was bar none my favorite character in Walnut Grove.  Especially when she was doing mean things to that goodie two shoes Laura.  Get her, Nellie!

I picked this up thinking there'd be some juicy behind the scenes insider stuff about Little House, and there was some, but mostly the take away here is what Arngrim's done with her Nellie success.  From the attitude to the exposure, she's used her time in ringlets as a vehicle to propel her into activism for both abused children and AIDS awareness.  Her narrative is sassy, thoughtful, compassionate, and at times brutally honest about her childhood experiences of abuse and neglect that inspired her to speak up and speak out.

Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

Famous Last Words by Katie Alender  312 pages

Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles -- a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.

All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.

Hollywood Book of Scandals: The Shocking, Often Disgraceful Deeds and Affairs of More Than 100 American Movie and TV Idols by James Robert Parish

Hollywood Book of Scandals: The Shocking, Often Disgraceful Deeds and Affairs of More Than 100 American Movie and TV Idols by James Robert Parish, 292 pages

If you like reading the National Enquirer and People Magazine, you will probably really enjoy this book.  This book contains 32 shocking scandals and affairs of more than 100 American and TV stars.  Most of the stories you have probably have heard of before, but it is fun to read about them again.  The author includes many details and pictures. The scandals are categorized by years, beginning with 1900 and ending with the present (2004).  Marilyn Monroe's death, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's marriages, and the Roman Polanski scandal are just some of the stories written in this book.  This was a quick and fascinating book!

Drinking & Dating: P.S. Social Media Is Ruining Romance by Brandi Glanville with Leslie Bruce

Drinking & Dating: P.S. Social Media Is Ruining Romance by Brandi Glanville with Leslie Bruce, 242 pages

This is the second book by Brandi Granville who is better known for being on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo.  Or, maybe she is more famous for her cheating ex husband who left her for Lee Ann Rimes.  Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed in her second book. This book follows her dating adventures, mostly while drunk.  There is a couple things that bothered me about this book, or maybe more.  The book is full of the "F" word, a little more then I care to read.  She describes many of her dates and boyfriends, but disappointingly does not drop names.  I guess she is protecting their identity.  Also, the hash tags throughout the book became slightly annoying.  I read this book in a day, so if you are a fan of team Brandi or Twitter, then I would recommend this book.

I, Rhoda A Memoir by Valerie Harper

I, Rhoda A Memoir by Valerie Harper, 308 pages

Who doesn't remember the character, Rhoda, from the Mary Tyler Moore Show?  She was so popular, she got her own television show.  In her biography, Valerie writes about how she got her start in show business. Valerie started as a dancer in films and on Broadway.  I did not realize before Mary Tyler Moore, she was quite the dancer.  Valerie Harper married twice and adopted a daughter with her second husband.  She writes so fondly about her days with Mary Tyler Moore and their cast mates and her Rhoda cast mates.  Valerie had a very brief battle with lung cancer.  In this book, she does not discuss her current battle with brain cancer which greatly surprised me.  Valerie Harper sure has had a rich fulfilling and inspiring life.

Mr. C. S. I.: How a Vegas Dreamer Made a Killing in Hollywood, One body At a Time by Anthony E. Zuiker

Mr. C.S.I.: How a Vegas Dreamer Made a Killing in Hollywood, One body at a Time Anthony E. Zuiker  285 pages
I enjoyed reading about Mr. Zuiker's life and his inception of C.S.I. The book starts off with a call from the coroner's office in regard to his father. Mr. Zuiker takes us along for the ride as he deals with the aftermath of his father's death. At various points, the book goes back in time, telling us about his life and various jobs he had along the way.
The show C.S.I.:Las Vegas was a hit in its own right, but studios are always looking to make more money. Thus C.S.I.:New York and C.S.I.: Miami were born, adding two more hits to the franchise. He humbly gives credit for each show's success to the writers, actors, producers, directors, and staff.
His ability and tenacity to seek a better way of doing things to achieve his goals is admirable. His success has allowed him to let his hard working mother retire and helped him deal with and come to terms with his father's suicide.   M. Osborn