Hi, friends! It’s been forever since one of my regular book reviews, but I’m back today with book review volume XVI. I haven’t been consistently blogging or reading this year, which has been a bummer. I’ve attributed it to having a lot going on personally (all exciting things — moving, settling into our new house, getting married soon, etc.), so I’m trying not to be so hard on myself. Hopefully, things will calm down after our honeymoon, and I can enjoy some downtime at home curled up with books this upcoming holiday season.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
I was wary of the title, so I didn’t gravitate toward picking this one up for the longest time. However, after seeing tons of glowing reviews, I finally decided to give it a read. For those who don’t know, Jennette McCurdy was a Nickelodeon star on iCarly and then Sam & Cat, a spinoff of iCarly and Victorious. Her memoir recounts her struggles as a child actor, from addiction to her complex relationship with her mom. Just a warning that it’s a heavy read containing explicit, unflinching details about Jennette’s abusive mom and her eating disorder, so make sure you’re in a good mental headspace before diving in. Ultimately it’s a story of courageousness, resiliency, and reclaiming oneself.
Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma by Galit Atlas
This was an intriguing read about a psychoanalyst and her patients and using their stories to shed light on how generational trauma affects us. It explores the idea that we can unknowingly genetically inherit our parents’ or even grandparents’ trauma. While it’s certainly not for everyone, I found it fascinating despite questioning some of the author’s conclusions from her clients’ stories. Dr. Galit Atlas provides numerous nicely wrapped-with-a-bow anecdotes, but I wish she also expounded more on the science and research about epigenetics.
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
After two nonfiction books, I was ready to dive back into my world of thrillers. Ellie was fifteen when she vanished. On the heels of her disappearance, her parents divorced after being unable to navigate through their grief together. Ten years later, her mother, Laurel, is still looking for Ellie and trying to repair her relationship with her other two children. When she meets charismatic, charming Floyd in a cafe, she thinks it could be the start of something new. Soon she’s spending the night at his place and being introduced to his kids. Laurel is breathless when she meets Poppy, Floyd’s youngest daughter, who eerily resembles Ellie. It’s a quick read, but maybe because I read a lot of thrillers, I didn’t find this one to be as suspenseful. I kept waiting for a surprising plot twist but found this one reasonably predictable.
Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflict by Joshua Coleman
Even though this book is written for estranged parents, I found it worth reading even as an adult child. The other day, I saw a news segment that parent-child estrangement is rising (like 1 in 4). As someone estranged from his daughter at one point, I appreciated Dr. Coleman’s advice for attempts to reconcile. There are some abusive situations that I don’t think this applies to, but if you want to attempt reconciliation, the author gives some sound suggestions for how to do so. Since estrangement is deeply personal, this book will probably land differently depending on your circumstances.
Once and for All by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen was my favorite author growing up, and I picked this one up from my library out of nostalgia. Louna spends summers helping her mother and business partner with their wedding planning business. However, she’s cynical about love and still grieving the loss of her first love — then enter Ambrose, a handsome heartthrob. Louna won’t give him the time of day, but maybe it’s not too late for a happily ever after. Perhaps I’m getting too old for these books, but this didn’t feel like the Sarah Dessen books I used to read and love. I didn’t see the appeal of Louna or Ambrose nor feel any chemistry between them. While I didn’t find either of them glaringly problematic, they both were boring and immature (what I’m chalking their questionable decisions to). I’d skip this one and pick up The Truth About Forever instead.
What have you recently read that I should add to my to-read list? Please leave your recommendations in the comments! To see more of my book reviews, click here. xo
I love your to-read list. I have been reading only one book since last month. Ot called ” The Presence Process. ” by Micheal Brown
I’ve had “Then She Was Gone” on my reading list for a while, but based on your recommendation, may skip it for “The Truth About Forever.” I enjoy unpredictability in my reading!
I’m always looking for something to read and these all seriously sound amazing – adding them to my list now 😉
I once read a graphic novel called The Best We Could Do where the author mentioned how this story was based on her own family’s emotional inheritance and I found that concept fascinating. I have my degree in Psychology and I still love learning about concepts like these.
Interesting book. The one by Sarah Dessen seems to be really interesting to me.
Funny thing is I was just talking to my husband about Jeanette McCurdy’s book today!
Then She Was Gone sounds amazing!
You say you haven’t been reading much but that’s a lot of material to plough through and some heavy reading at that!
I really enjoyed I’m glad my mom died. Yes, the title was a bit weird to me at first but I got Jennette’s perspective and happy that she can live her life the way she wants. Good read!
Great reading list! I’m Glad My Mom Died is on my list. The title is shocking but everyone seems to love it
All these books sound interesting and like something I would lke!
I always love biographies and as a child I watched a lot of iCarly and Victorious, so I will definitely add “I’m Glad My Mom Died” to my to-read list.
I was feeling wary about the title of the title of Jennette’s book but after reading your review I’m very intrigued about it and I will be trying it out. Thank you!
So sad to hear about the story of Jennette McCurdy. We never know how much kids suffer as their parents try to live through their children. Thanks for the review. I am thinking about getting this one.
I love your reading list. There are some really interesting books here.
I really loved the book by Lisa Jewell. Definitely kept me up until I finished reading it!
Really nice, I read I am glad my mom died. Very nice!
I’m really glad Janette got a chance to get everything out. I don’t blame her at all.
I really want to read “I’m glad my mom died.” I’ve watched some of her interviews online about the book and she just seems so real and authentic. I can’t wait to do my first book review on my blog. From one blogger to another, I really enjoyed this post of book reviews!
Hmmmm. . .maybe I’ll pick up The Truth About Forever. I am currently reading Drowning, on the heals of Falling – both *excellent* as long as you are not a nervous airline passenger. I’ve heard so much about I’m Glad My Mother Died – still don’t know if I will use valuable time in my life to read it? Have you read Maybe You Should Talk to Someone? I’m reading it too slowly and the library keeps taking it back before I’m done but I continue to put myself on the waitlist because I really do like some of the lessons/conclusions she comes to in her own life as well as her patient’s lives as a therapist. I love book reviews – I’ll have to check out some others that you’ve written 🙂
I have not read Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, but I’ve seen it at bookstores! I’ll have to check it out next time. xo
I loved “I’m Glad My Mom Died!” I really want to read Emotional Inheritance now as well. Thank you for sharing these really helpful reviews!
Great reviews! I’ve been hesitant reading the Jeannette McCurdy book for the same reasons as well, but now I’ve convinced I need to check it out.
-Tara B | breakthroughloading.com