Melissa Explains It All

Tales from My Abnormally Normal Life

By: Melissa Joan Hart

Narrated by: Melissa Joan Hart

Melissa Joan Hart explained it all—from dating to bullies—in her groundbreaking role as Clarissa Darling on Clarissa Explains It All. She cast a spell on millions more television viewers as Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Now, in Melissa Explains It All, Melissa tells the frank and funny behind-the-scenes stories from her extraordinary past and her refreshingly normal present.

Melissa has been entertaining audiences most of her life; when there were no girls named Melissa on her favorite show, the forceful four year old decided she'd get on TV her way. From that moment on, Melissa has shown a singular determination and focus—whether it's for booking three national commercials so her dad would build her a tree house or for nailing the audition for Clarissa.

From her first commercial to her current starring role in ABC Family's hit Melissa and Joey, Hart never let fame go to her head. She always had one foot in Hollywood and one foot in reality—and still does. Melissa makes us laugh along with her as she talks about:

--guest appearances in shows like Saturday Night Live and The Equalizer
--auditioning for Punky Brewster and Clarissa
--her early Broadway days
--wacky parties she's thrown and attended
-- the actors who influenced her and whom she befriended, worked with and competed against
--her experiences both on and off-set—with Sabrina's Salem the Cat and Elvis the Alligator on Clarissa
--how she met the love of her life at the Kentucky Derby

Melissa Joan Hart explains all that she's learned along the way—what's kept her grounded, normal and working when others have not been so fortunate—and that she's the approachable, hilarious girl-next-door her fans have always thought she'd be.

Critic reviews

<p>“A delightful and refreshingly honest memoir about growing up Melissa/Clarissa/Sabrina. All the women who grew up with her will go wild for this book.” —<i>Delia Ephron</i><br><br>“I don't know if Melissa can write, and I don't know if you can read, but I know you and I have made bigger mistakes than trying to read her book.” —<i>Bill Murray</i><br><br>“From the moment I met Melissa, she charmed me instantly. Melissa's delightful, witty, frank and thoughtful book shows a side of her we've never seen before.” —<i>Garry Marshall</i><br><br>“You will enjoy nothing more than Melissa Joan Hart's sweet, sane, mildly tell-all-ish memoir, complete with James Van Der Beek and Adrian Grenier makeout stories.” —<i>New York</i><br><br>“I loved Melissa's book! Her voice is so unique and strong. As a reader I felt in the moment, as if Melissa were telling me her stories firsthand. Proud of my fellow momista!” —<i>Tori Spelling</i><br><br>“[Melissa's] stories include dishy memories…that contributed to who she is today.” —<i>TIME</i><br><br>“Very candid.” —<i>Entertainment Weekly</i><br><br>“Who knew <i>Sabrina the Teenage Witch</i> was such a badass?!” —<i>Perez Hilton</i></p>

A good listen

Would you recommend Melissa Explains It All to your friends? Why or why not?

I recommend it to mid-30s girls like me who grew up watching Clarissa Explains It All wondering what it would have been like to be her. It's fun following normal celebrities who are my age. Since I am Melissa's actual age (thus older than her Sabrina character), I didn't really watch Sabrina. I recently caught up on Melissa & Joey on Netflix and enjoyed it.

What about Melissa Joan Hart’s performance did you like?

It was herself, real and familiar. I would not have purchased it otherwise. She did great.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes I pretty much did, and I felt like I was spending the day with Melissa. But I reeeeeeely had questions that I wanted to ask her and wished I was having an actual conversation.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this for some "light listening." I enjoyed listening to Melissa speak about her life and experiences, and a bit of behind the scenes. The book is exactly what it claims to be. Maybe when she is older she'll write another book which would be juicier!

Love!!

This was a beautifully written and cleverly presented book. I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in one sitting! I just adore audible!! (And Melissa Joan Hart).

Chris scott

Best book ever i love this book because it makes me happy and excited hope you have a wonderful 2018 love chris

Great insights into Clarissa Sabrina and Mel

Loved hearing about all the shows she starred in, her celeb and personal life. Well delivered, not a dull moment!

Very Interesting

Very Interesting, but also different than I had expected. A nice well rounded positive surprise.