Content warning: This article contains mentions of eating disorders, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, mental and emotional abuse that could be triggering for some.

When former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy released her book I’m Glad My Mom Died, a lot of people were horrified. How could she say that? Is she just doing it for attention? That’s just wrong. Well, after reading I’m Glad My Mom Died, I can definitely understand. Yes it does feel harsh, but hearing the details of their relationship? That was horrifying. I decided to listen to the audiobook because when reading a memoir, I like to hear the authors own voice. I believe that you get a clearer expression of the author’s words and I love that. My favorite audiobook that solidifies this point, is Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime. That said, here are my thoughts on I’m Glad My Mom Died.

I’m Glad My Mom Died summary

Jennette McCurdy, who’s now 30-years-old, was a child actor who was one of the stars on Nickelodeon’s show iCarly. I absolutely loved that show, especially McCurdy’s character Sam. When they announced that there would be a reboot of the show, I was really hoping that she would be part of it. She wasn’t. I had heard rumblings that there were issues for years, but wasn’t sure of the specifics. I always wondered if she was ok. Well, she was not ok, and this book is proof.

From Simon & Schuster – “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.”

What did I think?

I’m Glad My Mom Died was really tough to get through. Thinking of everything she had to go through just broke my heart. The way that she was abused and not protected, made me absolutely furious on her behalf. Abuse from her mother, producers, society, the industry. It was just so awful. I know, you’re wondering why you should even read this. For me, I wanted to understand what happened behind the scenes in her own words. I want her to know that she is seen, heard, and understood. And as far as memoirs go, I think that it was told really well. There are 320 pages full of short but powerful chapters. Other topics she addresses: her Sam & Cat co-star Arianna Grande, walking away from acting, behind-the-scenes of the industry, Miranda Cosgrove, and more. This was an incredibly tough read, but was worth it.

Trigger Warnings

I do think that there are so many aspects of this book that can be extremely triggering for people. Eating disorders, alcohol abuse, mental abuse. While I don’t think that any of this is glamorized in any way, the detail in which this is described could be triggering for some.

My rating (I rate in hugs – on a 5 hug scale)

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 I’m Glad My Mom Died gets five hugs from me. For the way she tells her story with such honesty, for her ability to inject humor into such a heartbreaking story, and for the fact that I wanted to give her all the hugs when I finished the book.

For more book recommendations, check out my Best Book You Read This Summer list.

What's The Best Book You Read This Summer?

What’s the best book you read this summer? That’s the question that I asked my followers on social media. Boy did they deliver. I was so excited to see so many book lovers respond, and how passionate they are about their favs.

What makes a great summer read?

This definitely means different things for different people. Personally, I need easy, breezy, fun and romantic. I don’t mind if there’s a slightly dark story in the background, but it can’t be too heavy or dominate the story. People sometimes think that those books aren’t “quality” stories. Fight me, because yes they are! Lol I also think that a great summer read is the best of what summer is. A break from your real life, adventure, fun, and breaking out of your shell. At the end of the day, a great summer read is an escape from reality and the pressures of every day life.

Do audiobooks count?

My personal opinion is yes. Again, fight me. Lol Sorry if I’m sounding a little violent today. I can’t help it when it comes to books. Audiobooks count because they are telling a story, just in a different form. I also think that it’s a pretty ableist take. Some people aren’t able to “read” in the same way. Ok I’ll stop. One thing I will say is that, for me, some of my favorite books are ones that I’ve listened too. Especially memoirs. Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is my hands-down favorite audiobook. Such a great story, and the way he tells it is stunningly good. I also recently listened to Simu Liu’s We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story. Simu Liu is the star of Shang-Chi. Here’s my review of We Were Dreamers.

Whether you’re looking for your next great read, or want to check out what other people are reading, here’s the compilation from my social media friends. What’s The Best Book You Read This Summer?

Book Lovers by Emily Henry - Pebbles Recommendation

Loved this book! Read it when I was in Aruba and couldn’t put it down. Books about books? I’m in!

UPDATE: Read this last weekend, and it definitely jumped to the top of my summer book list. LOVED this one!
Life Force - Recommended by Ramiro
The Lost Apothecary recommended by Diana L.
Worlds Apart recommended by Eric C.
The Last Thing He Told Me - Recommended by Susan B.
The Last Mrs. Parrish - Recommended by Patricia S.
Anything by Peter Swanson - Recommended by Michelle G-B
Love and Other Words - Recommended by Krissy L.
Manic - Recommended by Jennifer P.
The Bridgerton Series - Recommended by Erica B.
The Golden Couple - Recommended by Rita A.
Looking for Ashley - Recommended by Lois W.
The Hotel Nantucket - Recommended by Joelle F.
November 9 - by Colleen Hoover
A Slow Fire Burning - Recommended by Terry L.
All Good People Here - Recommended by Kathy B.
A Quantum Life - Recommended by Bobbie G.
Fifty Words for Rain - Recommended by Maria D.
The Bodyguard - Recommended by Amanda T.
Gone with the Wind - Recommended by Maribel M.
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - Recommended by Jessica B.
Every Summer After - Recommended by Brittany S.
Finding Me - Recommended by Shameka W.
Born a Crime - Recommended by Carmen C.

I ADORE this book! If you want an extra-special experience with this book, listen to the audiobook. Trevor is brilliant!
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter - Recommended by Francine J.
Run Rose Run - Recommended by Lisa V.
The Underwear in My Shoe - Recommended by Melissa S.
Crescent City Series - Recommended by Kristen J.
The Clockmaker's Daughter - Recommended by Sara H.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Recommended by: Amanda S, Corrine, & Andrea M.
From Scratch - Recommended by Carmela P.
The Judge's List - Recommended by Amy G.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Series - Recommended by Stephanie T.
Voices from the Pandemic - Recommended by Ann Marie T.
Home Before Dark - Recommended by Bethany L.
By the Book - Recommended by Deb M.
On Rotation - Recommended by Deb M.
Greenlights - Recommended by Ashley R.
It Ends with Us - Recommended by: Gloria V, Jennifer B, Vero A, & Liz T.
Long Way Down - Recommended by Deanne A.
My Best Friend's Exorcism - Recommended by Lizzy R.
The Dead Romantics - Recommended by Maria G.
The Librarian Spy - Recommended by Kenneth K.
The Woman They Could Not Silence - Recommended by Michelle G.
Verity - Recommended by Pamela W, Theresa S, Tracey B, Christine B, Amanda, and Samila
The Love of My Life - Recommended by Brittany G.
Where the Crawdads Sing - Recommended by Briana J, Jennifer L, Adina W.
The Silent Patient - Recommended by Melissa M, Cydney T-N, Diana V.