So I chose to listen to I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and oh man. I have so many thoughts that a review just doesn’t even do it justice. I yelled at people out loud in my home to just leave her alone, and for her to stop asking questions she knew the answer to (Spoiler: her mom is the worst). I honestly can say that I have never felt more relief than I did toward the end of the book when I was finally shouting “GOOD FOR YOU!” “YAS GIRL!” and “FINALLY!!!”. Jennette, and other child stars like her, deserve so much more.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Rating: 5 out of 5 therapists

Oh man. How do you put stars or words on one persons life? Truly? Especially someone as honest and soul bearing as Jennette McCurdy was in this one. Jennette McCurdy was more than just Sam in iCarly (which, I must confess, I never actually watched). She was more than any of her roles and I feel for her and other child stars, especially those who were abused under Nickelodeon, because many of them were failed by everyone around them. There were so many times during her reading of her story (I made sure to listen to this as an audiobook, I needed her voice) that I was just so angry on her behalf. SO MANY PEOPLE failed her. All around her. And yet, she made it. She forged her own way, made her life her own in spite of those who, it seemed, just wanted yet another something from her. Her mother was the worst of them all. After listening to this, I understand, now, why her book is titled the way it is. It’s more than a gleeful “YAY SHE’S GONE” or a “ding dong the wicked witch is dead” type of title. It’s also a relief type of title, for both herself and her mother, who was battling stuff as well. Her relationship with her mother is so complicated, because of course she loves her but also she had to come to terms with all the abuse she suffered at her hands. This was just such an awe inspiring book. Ironically enough, it forced me to make an online appointment of my own for therapy. I can’t thank her enough for giving me that push. I really would love to meet her and just…hug her and tell her we are all proud of her. She’s truly amazing.