The title of this book didn't just catch my eye. It grabbed me from behind like a stage hook. My immediate reaction, when stumbling upon it on Amazon, was to promptly close my laptop and try to forget I'd ever laid eyes on it. My own mother had died a few years earlier, and just the thought of being seen holding this book, with its raw, audacious title, prompted a cold sweat. I'd confessed to too many people over the years my feelings for my mother, always in a vain attempt to sort fact from fiction and shed light on the ambivalence that had hung heavy in the air between us for as long as I could remember. I mean, feelings like that aren't natural, right? Not the feelings of a good girl grown up. Not feelings about Mom. Well, never underestimate the power of a great book title. This one pulled me in, despite my initial reluctance, and wouldn't let me go. It may never. I'd be grateful if it didn't. This book is that good, that meaningful, and that important. Don't be fooled by the book jacket. This memoir by former Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy is no comedy, although you may find yourself chuckling in places. It's a very sober account of the young life of a woman who has struggled with the realities and ramifications of early fame in Hollywood, the misguided values and unreasonable expectations and pressures of a narcissistic, though well-intentioned, stage mom, the terror of loss, the aching, gaping blackhole of grief, the quicksand suction of addiction, and the steel-grip hold of compulsions, especially bulimia. It's the story of hitting rock bottom, seeking help, relapsing, and seeking help again ultimately to be able to look clear-eyed at the why of every puzzling piece of a life picture. To see it is to begin to makes sense of it, and making sense is the only way to overcome. It's a hero's journey, and McCurdy not only embarked on her own valiantly, but has presented it to us in the gift of one terrific memoir. What makes this book stand out from the mile-high pile of narratives on dysfunctional parenting? For me, it's the sheer bravery in McCurdy's brutal candor. It takes guts to vent to the world unapologetically about the woman who birthed and raised you, especially a mother, like McCurdy's, who had to endure her own personal trauma. In cases like these, even the most callous can elicit a rabid defense of damaging, wayward mom, the kind of feedback that only fuels the victim's pain. Self-doubt sets in and then guilt and shame, all triggers of compulsions, addictions and chronic, paralytic despair. It happens time and time again. Why? Because no one experienced your parent quite like you did, not even your siblings. And it's just plain unnatural to be that angry at the woman who birthed, raised and even loved you... right? (Oh, that BLASTED self-doubt!) McCurdy's memoir shines bright with insight. But its greatest gift is in the author's full-throttled admission of and entitlement to her anger. In the end, she doesn't doubt her experiences or blame herself, like most of us who've fallen victim to eating disorders. And because McCurdy owns her feelings with such a refreshing, unflinching and bright-eyed conviction, she inspires us to do the same. No guilt or shame necessary. Just a true understanding of one's own experiences and feelings -- the ownership of one's own personal truth -- and that sweet burst of self-acceptance that comes along with it. How freeing is that? Let me tell you, it's a damned good start on the road to recovery and forgiveness.

I can't praise this book enough. My mom is also a narcissist so much of this book was relatable. Jennette McCurdy has a wonderful ability to put into words the trauma and emotions too many of us have had to deal with. If you have a parent, family member, friend, anyone who has used and abused you I highly recommend you read this book.

We look at the kids starring in youth TV and think they are so lucky. Jennette McCurdy's memoir shows us this is not always the case. The iCarly star was forced into acting by a mother who was living her dreams vicariously. Jennette just wanted to make her mom happy. The memoir is written really well. There were lighthearted moments to balance the darker ones. This book contains abuse, on many different levels. One of the biggest themes is Jennette's struggle with body image. She sadly deals with anorexia and, later, bulimia. Her battle is heartbreaking. Her relapses are authentic. Her recovery is inspirational. I would recommend I'm Glad My Mom Died to anyone who has ever wondered "how hard can it be to be a child star?" I also recommend it to people who know someone with an unhealthy body image. Her slips resonated with me personally as I support a friend trying to recover from alcoholism. Of course, any fans of iCarly should read it as well.

I read this entire book in a day. Jennette is an unbelievably good writer, and captures the main points of her life that have led her to where she is today very well. It is very sad, but an important read for those of us who grew up watching her on Nickelodeon. Child actors often suffer more than we know or think, as they have little to no control of their lives, and basically no one to trust if their parent(s) are not truly supporting them. This book takes you behind the scenes of Jennette's life from being forced into acting as a six year old, to growing up with an overbearing, abusive, manipulative mother, to beginning her healing journey only a few years ago. I will not give any spoilers at all, but will say that this extremely well written, captivating, depressing, funny (in rather twisted ways), and illuminating. I highly recommend this book - I know I will be reading it again!

Jeanette Mc Curdy is painfully honest and so relatable when speaking about all of the trauma that she overcame. The realizations, the work she put into being who she wants to be. It was just such a good book that I can’t stop thinking about it. She shared her world with us to see and it was dark, but she made it so intriguing with her humor, Witt and perseverance. At the end I wanted to clap for the book, it just ended how it should and so strong too.