From the Bookshelf of The Perks Of Being A Book Addict…

I'm Glad My Mom Died

Jennette McCurdy

Start date: January 1, 2023

Finish date: January 31, 2023

Discussion: Group Books of the Month (BotM)

Why we're reading this: Chosen by members as a group BotM for January.
[close] Chosen by members as a group BotM for January.

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What Members Thought

Mar 27, 2023 Terri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women-s-abuse-and-recovery, memoir-women

The actress and writer, Jennette McCurdy, survived and went on to publish a moving and heartbreaking memoir of the suffering her family endured at the hands of a narcissistic mother who ruled the home. Her weak and pathetic father was a victim as well as her older brothers but the author seemed to have endured the brunt of it. What is amazing about the book is despite the complete lack of empathy her demanding mother had, Jennette seems to have loads of it and that is what makes the book compell ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

May 18, 2023 Meera rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, non-fiction, bought23, 23fav

I read this because it was being recommended everywhere and I liked her voice. I didn't know who she was since I hadn't watched any of her shows and neither had my sons. I was shocked by the abuse she went through and how she didn't even realize it was abuse till she was in her twenties. Why didn't anyone in her life protect her? It seemed like all of the adults in her life failed her, especially her mother. This was an excellent read. ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Nov 04, 2023 Angelicalkiwi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2023

For some reason, I've been on a memoir kick this year (2023). This book is the 3rd memoir that I've been able to finish this year (with a smattering of others that I've started but am not sure if I'll finish). Funnily enough, it's the 2nd memoir I read this year that is centered around the death of a mother (due to cancer) and how that impacted the daughter's life. What are the odds?

It's definitely the best book I've read all year though (not that this is all that meaningful, since this means it For some reason, I've been on a memoir kick this year (2023). This book is the 3rd memoir that I've been able to finish this year (with a smattering of others that I've started but am not sure if I'll finish). Funnily enough, it's the 2nd memoir I read this year that is centered around the death of a mother (due to cancer) and how that impacted the daughter's life. What are the odds?

It's definitely the best book I've read all year though (not that this is all that meaningful, since this means it's the best out of four). I was a fan of iCarly growing up and Sam Puckett was always a fun and interesting character, if not occasionally painfully over the top and other times sad. I had heard here and there that she was dealing with eating disorders while she was on the show (which was a terrible combination with her character's love of food) and that she had bad blood with the Creator of the show. It wasn't until I read her book that I learned all the details about how she got started in acting, her struggles growing up, her relationship with her mother, as well as other people in her life. It was a really refreshing read. I love that the straightforward and matter of fact attitude that she has as Sam Puckett is actually a reflection of her own such qualities, which shown through in the narrative. She's great when it comes to storytelling and unraveling all the layers for us. She has a way of showing (not telling) how she felt in a way that you could completely empathize with her, but still feel like you're standing side by side with her as of today from the outside looking in and understanding how all the different pieces culminate to where she is today. I laughed, I cried, I hurt, and I learned with her along the way. Not just about her life story, but also about the dark sides of being a child actor, anorexic/bulimic issues, and how therapy can hurt and heal. It was also really cathartic to see her be able to look back, reflect, and understand her mother, her mother's complexities, and the relationship she had with her mother. ...more

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Jan 15, 2024 Gregory Williams rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir

If I start to grow up, Mom won’t love me as much. She often weeps and holds me really tight and says she just wants me to stay small and young. It breaks my heart when she does this. I wish I could stop time. I wish I could stay a child. I feel guilty that I can’t. I feel guilty with every inch I grow. I feel guilty whenever we see one of my aunts or uncles and they comment on how much I’m “growing up.” I can see Mom’s eyebrow twitch whenever they say that. I can see how much it pains her.

Ther ...more

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Jan 16, 2023 Heather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An important, honest, look at a confusing, crazy, uncomfortable growing up for a bright young woman who had way too much on her plate way too young. Jeanette felt responsible for keeping her mother happy, for catering to her mother's every whim, desire and demand at all times. It was a nightmare of an enmeshed relationship and reading about it is heartbreaking.

This book contains potential triggers for all kinds of abuse as well as eating disorders. It's hard to keep reading at times. I put it d ...more

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Mar 13, 2024 Mekerei rated it liked it

WHITCOULLS Top 100: I'm Glad My Mom Died - No 34

A sad and disturbing novel of McCurdy's early life. She's not an actress I know (my children are Hannah Montana era).

Her mother was very manipulative and pushed her daughter into the career she wanted. This lead to McCurdy's revealing deeply personal parts of her life. This is courageous and raw.

An alarming life that has taken McCurdy more than a decade the move away from.

Three and a half stars. ...more

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