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iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life
'This is the story of my ch . . . ch . . . changes, which took me from insanity to clarity, from egocentricity to altruism, from alcoholism to activism. These changes have marked an evolution in what I want from this life. I am what I want. What I seek to consume, possess, and achieve is a mirror that reflects my lusts and cravings, values and priorities, and moral boundaries or lack thereof. I am happy to say that what I want today is much less toxic and self-centered than what I used to want. It's taken decades of selfexamination to peel back the layers and figure out what really makes me happy. And while I'm still searching for my ultimate bliss, I know for sure it's not what I once thought it was. It's not alcohol, cigarettes, money, food, sugar, or status I've consumed all of those in massive quantities, and they've just made me miserable. Now, I want what can't be tasted, smoked, worn, seen, or counted. It's the opposite of material. As sappy as it might sound, what I want is spiritual.' —From the Introduction In iWant, Jane Velez-Mitchell shares her candid and engaging story of the true adventure of her life, a journey of self-discovery that is still in full throttle. As she searches for the ultimate joy and freedom that come from living a compassionate life, she challenges all of us to learn from her examples to end destructive behaviors and embrace a meaningful existence alongside one another.
268 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
8 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Jane Velez-Mitchell
10 books23 followersJane Velez-Mitchell (b. September 29, 1955) is an award winning gossip journalist and author. She currently has her own show on HLN, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell (replacing Glenn Beck who moved to Fox News Channel). She is often seen commenting on high-profile cases for CNN, TruTV, E! and other national cable TV shows. Velez-Mitchell frequently guest hosts for Nancy Grace on her Headline News show. Velez-Mitchell reported for the nationally syndicated Warner Brothers/Telepictures show Celebrity Justice. (Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 3, 2009
Host of her own Headline News show, journalist Velez-Mitchell addresses a number of her own issues in this honest but ultimately unremarkable narrative, focusing largely on former addictions to alcohol, cigarettes, food and money: "I've consumed all of those in massive quantities, and they've just made me miserable. Now, I want... the opposite of material. As sappy as it might sound, what I want is spiritual." Velez-Mitchell then recounts a childhood with parents who taught her to shun all authority but their own; a young adulthood in which she nearly drank herself into oblivion; her decision to get sober; how she came to terms with her homosexuality; and her climb to success in the world of television news. Despite these revelations, though, Velez-Mitchell's off-putting, self-righteous tone may make readers feel they're being scolded, rather than invited to understand or sympathize.
**Rate this book 2/5. While I thought that her addiction and recovery from alcohol would be interesting reading, it was not. She did attend AA, but this is briefly mentioned. She spends most of the book acting self-righteous and self-absorbed. She not only had an alcohol addiction that she overcame, she also was a compulsive shopper, became an animal rights crusader and a vegan, hug the trees, save the whales. It is a little bit of a stretch to believe all of her 'good deeds'. I was disappointed in this self-serving book.
**Rate this book 2/5. While I thought that her addiction and recovery from alcohol would be interesting reading, it was not. She did attend AA, but this is briefly mentioned. She spends most of the book acting self-righteous and self-absorbed. She not only had an alcohol addiction that she overcame, she also was a compulsive shopper, became an animal rights crusader and a vegan, hug the trees, save the whales. It is a little bit of a stretch to believe all of her 'good deeds'. I was disappointed in this self-serving book.
August 12, 2016
Pros: I learned a lot about alcoholism and the 12 Step Program. There is much to learn from the many "issues" beyond alcoholism that JVM has worked through. I was impressed by how thoroughly and how much JVM has worked and continues to work at reviewing and improving her life, and I was impressed at what a committed vegan she is. I already practice a lot of what she does - reducing what I consume, recycling everything I can, using vegan food and products, thinking about who (humans and animals) was affected and how they were affected by things I might buy - but she inspired me to try even harder, but not to the point of asceticism.
Cons: horrible design! double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman with black and white pictures shoved in at the end of each chapter (color insert would have been better)
Emotional moments: I cried when her dad gave her beloved childhood dog away without telling her first. He didn't want the dog to ruin the carpet in their new apartment. She never knew where he went. I was so glad that she purposely knocked over a lamp in the new apartment, and it burned a whole in the carpet. The one thing that made this story better is that it sounds like she adopted the reincarnation of this dog later in her life.
Favorite quotes: "To those people I say, 'I'd rather be a hypocrite one percent of the time than be a heartless individual 99 percent of the time." - her response to people who might take a shot at her veganism because she rides on airplanes sometimes (airplane engines may be tested using animals) or does whatever other grey things might come up.
Place read: in-laws' media room and spare bedroom nook
Cons: horrible design! double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman with black and white pictures shoved in at the end of each chapter (color insert would have been better)
Emotional moments: I cried when her dad gave her beloved childhood dog away without telling her first. He didn't want the dog to ruin the carpet in their new apartment. She never knew where he went. I was so glad that she purposely knocked over a lamp in the new apartment, and it burned a whole in the carpet. The one thing that made this story better is that it sounds like she adopted the reincarnation of this dog later in her life.
Favorite quotes: "To those people I say, 'I'd rather be a hypocrite one percent of the time than be a heartless individual 99 percent of the time." - her response to people who might take a shot at her veganism because she rides on airplanes sometimes (airplane engines may be tested using animals) or does whatever other grey things might come up.
Place read: in-laws' media room and spare bedroom nook
May 1, 2013
I thought Velez-Mitchell’s book was interesting and I liked how she talked about recovery in all phases of her life including her diet and her lifestyle. She uses the book as something of a platform for these changes she has made in other parts of her life, however I could have done with a little less of the proselytizing. Velez-Mitchell was a high-functioning woman, who maintained her career, as her life was going down the tubes. Her recovery is inspirational and I found it necessary to take what I liked and left the rest behind.
I Want was possibly a little too much about recovery and “what it is like now.”. Actually that isn’t quite fair. One technique that she used that I really liked was that each time she used a phrase or word that is a phrase or word used in 12 step recovery groups in general, and AA in particular. At the end of the book she has a glossary of the words that she has italicized. (I would have given this book 2.5 stars if that were an option.)
I Want was possibly a little too much about recovery and “what it is like now.”. Actually that isn’t quite fair. One technique that she used that I really liked was that each time she used a phrase or word that is a phrase or word used in 12 step recovery groups in general, and AA in particular. At the end of the book she has a glossary of the words that she has italicized. (I would have given this book 2.5 stars if that were an option.)
July 25, 2011
After reading this book, I gained another perspective of addiction and consumption. Her philosophy on conservation and animal welfare is something each reader can learn from. I wouldn't go as far as becoming vegan but I have definitely have become more aware of the products I buy in making sure they are not animal tested and eco friendly. For a list of these products-->Caringconsumer.com. And yes it is on a PETA website but it doesn't mean you have to run around naked with the animals if you share some of their concerns. In the end, we share the same planet with animals too.
January 25, 2010
I think I understand what she went through in terms of rebuilding your life and working hard on yourself. I'm still working hard on finding myself and what I want to do with my life. It is a journey that everyone should take even if they think their life is perfect and they can't work on themselves anymore. Maybe you don't need to do as much work on it as others, but I guess everyone, in their own way can always find room for improvement.
June 5, 2013
She's unbearably sanctimonious. Her message was lost on me because I couldn't stand the person who was giving it. I get it, you're better than everyone else but why are you writing a book about it? Do you think that's going to earn you fans? There are other sober, vegan, environmentalists out there who don't need to slip those facts in whenever possible. She should have focused on her recovery story and not gone on about her political beliefs/social advocacy.
January 29, 2010
It's just full of the same crap you hear from former addicts: Glorified versions of all the crazy crap they used to do (WAY crazier than anything you've ever done. Right? RIGHT!?), with a weak, "I'm so much happier now" tacked on at the end. Because not only did they used to have a more exciting life than you, it's now more enlightened too!
December 21, 2009
She had a lot of great things to say and a remarkable change in her life, but I did not like the way the book was written. I am sure she did not mean to write it in a preachy way but I did feel that was how it came across.
February 1, 2011
Disturbing and enlightening. Excellent memoir of a journey to sobriety, healthy habits and a growing awareness of the overconsumption that is destroying our planet and increasing animal cruelty. It changed me, I'll never be the same.
September 27, 2009
Got at BEA.
Boring. I didn't really read it; I skimmed through and could tell it wasn't well-written or worth my time.
Boring. I didn't really read it; I skimmed through and could tell it wasn't well-written or worth my time.
October 28, 2009
Not Impressed!
January 5, 2010
Anyone faced with an addiction, be it drug, alcohol, or sugar should read this book. Also a good read for those who are animal activists, care about the condition of our environment.
July 12, 2010
inspiring!
August 12, 2010
To be more thoughtful of the world, animals, and people. I need to do what I want and what is best for me.
July 12, 2010
inspiring!
December 25, 2010
Lame story. Life of addiction turned to overzealous veganism. *yawn*
November 8, 2010
Started out fine until it started to go off on how if you aren't vegan you aren't human.
August 23, 2011
Some good information but not the best I've read on the 12 step process. It seems as if it was written more as a platform for her best interstes...
June 26, 2012
Boring and preachy.
June 4, 2013
A pretty practical guide through the 12 Steps, although she starts mixing in her enviro/animal rights politics toward the end and I found myself skimming and even skipping some pages.
September 15, 2018
I really enjoyed the book, read it in less than 2 days.
May 29, 2016
What "I wanted"
This book gives wonderful insight to the throws of addition and work to overcome. While I respect her views on animal rights and veganism, it was a little too much "lecture" for me. Would have loved to hear more on her work to continue to manage/ overcome her disease of alcoholism .
This book gives wonderful insight to the throws of addition and work to overcome. While I respect her views on animal rights and veganism, it was a little too much "lecture" for me. Would have loved to hear more on her work to continue to manage/ overcome her disease of alcoholism .
April 21, 2021
Easy read, very enjoyable, thank you for sharing and I went vegan last year.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews