This is the first book I read with my boyfriend. We went to the mall and stopped by a bookstore. He generally would head to the non-fiction section while I get lost in the fiction section. We both saw Jennette McCurdy’s book almost at the same time. I mentioned that I had almost bought it online but for some reason hesitated. He enthusiastically said that he wanted to read it and then went ahead to narrate her story. I didn’t watch a lot of TV growing up so I barely knew her. He on the other hand watched a lot of TV and knows a lot of these actors by their government name. LOL. We decided to buy it and I joked about it being our first of many reads together.
I should’ve checked Scribd because I found the audiobook on Scribd shortly after we left and almost regretted buying it but in retrospect, I’m glad we did. We clearly didn’t work out the logistics of reading the same book together and ended up listening to the audiobook anytime we went on a drive together. Needless to say, that took us almost a month to finish.
My thoughts on I’m glad my mom died.
I immediately got into this book from the first page. Jennette writes in such a casual way. It almost feels like you’re listening to someone you know share their story. She’s such a wonderful writer. She made it so enjoyable considering what the book is about. Her terrible mother. The one she’s glad died as the title suggests. I generally feel like mothers have great PR – As they should tbh but it’s often hard for people whose mothers aren’t great mothers speak about their experiences because it’s almost like a taboo. Like how dare you say even one bad thing about someone who brought you into the world?
Jennette’s mother did some extreme things and one could say she was living through her daughter. The control she needed was toxic and ridiculous. I felt so bad for Jennette reading this book. Having someone monitor the food you eat, your weight, and your entire life must be exhausting, especially at such a young age. The part where she talks to a therapist and got upset when she was told how problematic it was made me almost cry. Imagine being told the way you were raised was abnormal.
I have thoughts about child stars. Only a few come out unscathed. It opens up questions as to why people expose their kids to so much in the name of fame? money? It just doesn’t seem worth the damage it causes.
Jennette talks about her eating disorder and I appreciated how vulnerable she was. Having a life that from the outside seems amazing but on the inside is just downright terrible must have been tough. She pointed out that while she’s grateful for the financial stability the career provided, there was not much else she appreciated about being forced into a career she did not want at the age of 6. Her mother not only forced her into things she had no interest in but also physically, and emotionally abused her.
While a part of me wished that she was able to have honest conversations with her mom before she died, another part knows it would likely have been futile. There’s something very sickening about narcissistic parents. You know they won’t change. Why should they? To them, they’re doing the best for you and your life would be nowhere without them. There is a lot to unpack with this one and it is slightly triggering but I’m glad she told her story because it couldn’t have been easy. I’m also glad I bought the hardcover.
Rating
You’ll like this if :
- You like non-fiction/autobiographies
- You like deeply emotional books told in a ‘light’ manner.
- You like books on motherhood.
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