I'm Glad My Mom Died

By: Jennette McCurdy

Narrated by: Jennette McCurdy

* #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER * MORE THAN 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD!

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.

©2022 Waffle Cone, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Everything I thought it would be and more

I knew that this book would discuss the childhood acting industry and Jennette’s mom, but there was so much more to this book.
It truly does an amazing job breaking down the emotions and thought processes of a little girl who grew up in an abusive environment that she thought was normal. A person who she loved and admired she later learned never had her best interest in mind. There are so many people this book will help and that will be able to relate to even one part of Jennette McCurdy’s story.
I can’t recommend reading this book enough! And I’m beyond happy that the audio version is read by Jennette herself!

A very important piece of literature. Helped me so much.

This book was incredibly triggering for all the best reasons. It helped me heal a part of my inner child that had been holding onto the idea of someone who was not who I thought they were. Huge thanks for Jeanette for sharing her story to better help others!

Highly Recommend!

As a fellow woman with similar "mommy issues" I found this book very genuine and tactful. I really enjoy her sense of humor and brutal honesty, and definitely let out a chuckle at times and a tear or two at other times. Jennette does a great job narrating her own book but when she talks about hurtful events she seems to read faster and not take many breaths which is totally understandable but I had to hit the 30 second replay a couple times to really understand what she said but not very often. I highly recommend this book to listen to or to read!

Such a great story of growth

My heart goes to you and your courage for this. So glad it was Jennette that was the reader.

10/10

This book was deeply honest and raw, I had to listen to it in one day.

Super powerful and very relatable

She did an amazing job narrating the story. Super entertaining and relatable. My heart went out to her and hope she uses her voice more because we need her as a society! She has a story, she has a voice, we want more.

Absolutely Incredible

Incredible performance, incredible story, just overall incredible! I had been so excited to read this book and when I saw it was on audible, I got it right away!

Best read book

An amazing book, sad, hopeful, and just a great read. Recommend to others 100%. I encourage others to give it a try

Really Sad and Relatable

It's hard to convey how impactful a story is without giving it away. It's a long battle to undo the internalized shame and hatred you feel for yourself, as an adult when it was planted into you by someone who was supposed to protect you. It's something I am still working on in my late 20s. The abusive Jennette suffered at the hands of her mom broke my heart, but the way she kept fighting to find her happiness while coming to terms with her relationship with her mother, makes me so happy for her.

Beautiful and heartbreaking

This was an incredible story to listen to. I have always loved jennette mccurdy, and to know that she had to live through and struggle with all of this and was able to come out the other side is incredible to hear. I hope she finds every joy and success that she wants in her life and I can’t wait still see (if it’s in the public eye) where she goes from here.