Book Review: “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy

Hello!

I was hesitant to make this book my next review, mostly because this was a fairly popular memoir in the media and I just thought I would be repeating what others have talked about in their reviews, but it just kept bugging me, so, in short, I caved, and I hope that maybe my opinions will inspire you to give this story a chance.

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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 iCarly spinoff 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.

taken from Goodreads.

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I love and miss nonfiction books as you might’ve seen with Wednesday’s post. I run on facts mostly it’s weird things but with these kind of books, I generally enjoy learning one’s life up at a certain point. I have read quite a few in the past three years and I’m very proud of that, but I did not expect to say, Santa, I’d like to have “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy for Christmas, but it happened, and they got it for me. It is my first out of seven books I actually on that lovely morning!

When I first saw an advisement for this book, I was somewhat intrigued by the title – it is a very bold statement. I felt like this could be the next “Mommie Dearest” which was another memoir written by Joan Crawford’s daughter, Christina in 1978. I have to say, I’ve never read that book or have any real reason to in the future. Since we’re already comparing stories, I’ll just say right now that I don’t want to read Prince Harry’s “Spare” either. They’ve been talked about so much that there’s no point in it.

“I’m allowed to hate someone else’s dream, even if it’s my reality.

So, what made Jennette’s memoir so different?

The only live-action TV shows I watched on Nickelodeon were All That and Keenan & Kel. So very 90’s of me! The same goes with what was on Disney Channel as well, except for their Original Movies. By the time, Jennette made it on iCarly and Sam & Cat, it was only my sister who would casually watch it. And it’s because of this that I was able to dive into her memoir easier because I didn’t really know her that well.

Jennette’s life wasn’t your ordinary California girl, her home was full of different stages of hell, I’m still shocked she stayed alive all that time. Her mother was a force to be reckoned with and not in a good way. She was put through so much pressure to be everything that her mother told her to be, even if that meant doing stuff she didn’t want to do. like act. She restricted her diet, feeling guilty for eating something otherwise healthy, but then end up with an eating disorder. Life wasn’t about Jennette’s needs as a child, teenager and young adult, everything was about her mother, and I quickly understood the title, because I don’t doubt, she was thrilled to be rid of that kind of monster.

This book also makes you understand how the entertainment industry views young children auditioning for various roles. Jennette never had someone in her corner the whole time, and that is so sad! How many other child actors out there are pushed into acting by an overburdening parent? I hope someday in the future they will have better outreach programs for the young actors, even if it’s a secret thing to help them understand between right and wrong situations involving their families.

Have you read “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy yet? If you have, what were your thoughts on it?

Album Review: “Singular: Act I” by Sabrina Carpenter

After I did the Little Mix review last week, I wondered how many other albums I missed and wanted to talk about on here. So I have found two more albums, this one and another that came out in December that I will be sharing my thoughts on hopefully next week! First, we are going to talk about my increasing love for Sabrina Carpenter. I know the last name Carpenter is fairly infamous in the music industry, but I don’t think Sabrina has any relations to them. Sabrina is an actress along with being a singer. She’s worked on the Disney Channel on shows like, “Austin & Ally,” “Girl Meets World,” and finally “Adventures In Babysitting.”

I’ve been focused on her singing career than her acting, and it was purely by accident. I caught the end of her song “Thumbs” on the radio and thought it wasn’t bad and within a week later I heard another one called, “Why” and it was just continuous, because the final song I heard in 2018 was “Lost Love” with the EDM group Lost Kings. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the tracks, so when I saw that she had released a new album back in November, I was like “I need to check this out right now!” So, if you’d like to join me on this little adventure, you’re more than welcome to it.

The first song is “Almost Love” and I liked the cute popping in the beginning. The “cute” factor never really leaves the beat at all, and I think it makes it a bit annoying. A part of me hates it, but yet I’ve heard it so much lately that I’ve been dancing and humming to it, so it’s a good dance-pop song but has some little things that irritate me. We move on to “Paris” and I will be honest, I thought she had redone The Chainsmokers’s single of “Paris” but after I listened to it, I realized I was wrong but I like it anyways. I like the seductive beat and tone of her voice. I think it gives the message a needed edge. I really enjoy it!

Third is “Hold Tight” featuring Uhmeer. I’ve never heard of this person, but I am always open to new artists! This has a R&B sound to it too, which is strange because the album has been said to prominently be pop/EDM. It’s much slower, has a strong sexy vibe going on but I actually like it! I think Uhmeer’s deep voice is a good contrast to Sabrina’s sweet voice. It just added to the “feel good” vibe that was already going on. Next was “Sue Me” and we’re back on the pop train again. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like this one. It seemed really dull compared to the previous tracks. I didn’t even dance to it after the first verse was over and yes, that’s usually my sign that it’s a good song, but there was nothing with this. So, we move on to “Prfct” which is the word: Perfect, but without the vowels. The only reason why I say that out loud because I was so confused writing it out in my notepad. It was one of those days for me! Anyways, this beat is nice and easy. To me, it’s more sensual than the other way around, but I really like it.

We’re heading to the last three songs of the record. The sixth track is “Bad Time” and this only had Sabrina’s voice in the beginning, so it’s a slow start to the beat itself, but when it does appear it’s a nice real pop sound. I was a bit on the fence about it. I liked the sound, but thought it was a bit overwhelming to really hear the lyrics of the song. That is my only complaint with it. “Mona Lisa” is on now and I thought the moment it started, I thought it was a bit unique. I thought it has 00’s bubblegum pop sound to it. It reminded me of Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilera! Honestly, it was refreshing and it actually became one of my favorites of the bunch! And finally the last song is “Diamonds Are Forever” and I really liked this one too. I thought she kind of sounded like another artist I heard recently: Elley Duhe. This has a sensual beat, but she sings it with such sass that it really makes you like it. At least, it did that for me!

Apparently I had some strong expectations to this effort than I thought I did because a part of me felt a bit let down by it. I was on the fence for about half of the tracks on this record and only had one real favorite out of the whole thing. That’s not like me to be like this, so I’m hoping when she releases Act 2 later this year, it’ll be a little bit better!

Have you listened to Sabrina Carpenter’s new album yet? What did you think of it? Do you love it or hate it?

11 Hottest Characters On The Originals and The Vampire Diaries!

If I am annoying you with these post about the new season of The Vampire Diaries I would suggest just skipping this post today!

Last week I gave out a small list of characters that will no longer see (unless they come back in flashbacks!) anymore. This week I thought i’d share who I have gushed at for the past six seasons! I’ve also decided to include a few of my favorites from their spin-off The Originals too. If you didn’t know by now, both TVD and The Originals will return next week October 8th starting at 8pm EST! Who is excited?!?!

Ian Somerhalder (who plays Damon Salvatore)

I have to be truthful here, if it wasn’t for Damon Salvatore’s entrance at the end of the first episode of TVD I probably wouldn’t be a big of a fan like I am! I remember hiding underneath my blanket because that scene just scared the shit out of me! Ian Somerhalder was my first vampire/guy in general that I’ve ever fell in love by looking into his piercing blue eyes! I’ve never been THAT impressed by his body but his sense of humor is another story!

Daniel Gilles (who plays Elijah Mikaelson)

When Elijah made his first appearance during season two, I was dumbfounded. This “old” dude dressed up in his suits in every episode. He’s got the best serious, don’t play any games tone that is so intoxicating! A girl could seriously get used it. There were two episodes that really changed my outlook of both the show and this character. The first was when he meets the Salvatore brothers for the first time as they were trying to save Elena, I remember that episode being VERY bloody. A little more than the whole first season actually! Then there’s the scene on The Originals where he’s fighting off infected vampires of werewolf bites. Just the words “gentleman, shall we?” and the way he unbuttoned his suit, I had to rewind that part like four of five times because I was so taken by it!

Steven R. McQueen (who plays Jeremy Gilbert)

Little Gilbert. When Steven’s character Jeremy left for “art school” this past season I was so sad, but I was also glad he wasn’t being killed either because then we’ll never see him again. He came back during the season six finale and had a small moment with his sleeping sister. I’ve always loved Jeremy, I think I’ve cried more for him and Tyler than anybody else on both shows!

Phoebe Tonkin (who plays Hayley Marshall)

I remember falling in love with Phoebe Tonkin while she was on The Secret Circle, I loved her as Faye and this darker role. When that show was cancelled and she appeared on TVD as Hayley, I was probably the only one who was happy to see her there. I was really Team Klayley during the first season of The Originals and I guess i still am, but it would never work out honestly. Especially after how this past season of TO ended. Excuse my language, but she fucked herself after trying to run away with Hope. I’ve grown to really love Phoebe as a person! She’s just gorgeous!

Joseph Morgan (who plays Klaus Mikaelson)

Joseph Morgan. Yummy man you are!! I remember reading a spoiler just before his first episode on TVD on a site that explained his past jobs in the UK but truth be told, I didn’t really care for him at first!! Once he came to the show though, man did he surprise the crap off me! And I mean that in a good way! That’s what you want the villain-y character to do.  It was the first time I’ve ever been scared of a character on the show all throughout the show(s) but now we’ve seen him in a different light and that’s been nice to see that inside Klaus cares for certain things.

Paul Wesley (who plays Stefan Salvatore)

Stefan was the first one we got to meet during the first episode. The one we were the most curious about I think. I still remember falling in love with him and wishing he came into my school! No joke I did!! I am a die hard fan of Stelena! I did have a slip up at the beginning of season two, but I’ll always want him and Elena together. However, I’ve been leaning more and more to Steroline too! He deserves to be loved! He’s too cute not to love honestly!

Claire Holt (who plays Rebekah Mikaelson)

I remember when Claire made his entrance on the show. The 1920’s episode of when Stefan first met three of the Originals on his distant Rippah days. I always hated whenever Klaus would stake her on her decisions of wanting a normal life even though she is an immortal. The fact he trusted her enough to raise his daughter for six months of her life was really heartwarming. I really miss her playing Rebekah but I’ve grown to enjoy Maisie too! I like it whenever Claire makes those cameos though!

Charles Michael Davis (who plays Marcel Gerrad)

I was going to watch a spin off of TVD especially if it included the Original family of vampires. When we were first introduced to Marcel I was really intrigued on his role as king of the vampires in New Orleans. The fact he wasn’t going to let go of his power over the city when the Mikaelson family came back into town, but I like the friendship that was there between him and the whole family, especially the love connection with Rebekah. Charles’ smile makes me melt… like seriously!

Elyse Levesque (who played Genevieve)

Genevieve was a name that I could never spell before seeing it on The Originals thanks to closed captions! This was the first witch that I actually liked during the first season of the show. She was evil and had the right edge to get what she wanted but when she tried to kill Hayley and Hope I quickly flipped my direction. Elyse is a gorgeous woman, blue eyes and red hair! I’ve got a serious weakness for red heads thanks to my nana!

Nathaniel Buzolic (who plays Kol Mikaelson)

I was so sad when Kol got killed off TVD. I really was, I thought he was a strong character considering you had the two older brother Klaus and Elijah. When Matt was seeing the dead on the otherside he was sitting in the corner clutching anything he could to not disappear like everybody else he was really scared but who knew he’d be stupid enough to make a deal with mommy dearest herself and come back to befriend Davina, not to mention fall in love with her too in another body of course! I’ve already heard Nathaniel’s coming back for flashbacks in the new season of The Originals so that’s awesome!

Michael Trevino (who plays Tyler Lockwood)

Tyler Lockwood, man! During the first season he was an ass! I literally hated his guts and then he turned into a werewolf and fell in love with Caroline. Swoon! The episode that he’s got himself chained up as it was a full moon that night, I cried through that whole scene! I was eating dinner and I couldn’t finish my meal because I was crying so much. During the commercial my parents were making fun of me because I was reacting the way I was! I couldn’t help it! I’m too much like my mom in that way!

Who is your favorite?