i read the most popular celebrity memoirs (to tell you which ones are worth your time)

[@RileyEffective]

"he went to the Haruki Murakami school of talking about women" is now my new favourite euphemism for "he is a misogynist"

[@ninamarie177]

I’m currently reading Killing Commendatore and I thought that I was used to Murakami’s portrayal of women because I have read a few of his books already but damn, I wasn’t prepared to read that much about teenage girls’ breast.

[@SkyWalker-qr4yx]

@@ninamarie177 I just finished this book and 😬 yeah that whole section was uncomfortable

[@nele5150]

Also in Norwegian wood where this one woman at the mental hospital has sex with a 13 year old girl just doesn't sit right with me

[@ashitakedia5814]

@@nele5150 also murakami in an interview said that he thinks that’s exactly how some girls thought abt their breasts and i was like no girls are not as obsessed with their boobs as boys are with their peepee. I absolutely adore murakami’s writing style but none of his books could ever be 5 stars for me cuz all his female characters just suck.

[@marcosdarby]

I came to write this comment! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who detested Murakami.

[@lafayettethebaguette1418]

Let’s all pour one out for the ghost writers

[@ishikasingh5909]

the unsung heroes as always

[@poojitachand2811]

Yes! I found it surprising that Jack never mentioned it.

[@maheswarijeyabalan8784]

Yes, ghost written for sure but the content surely comes from the celebrity. Ghost writers can't just make up stuff and publish the books without the consent of the celebrities they are writing about.

[@lafayettethebaguette1418]

@@maheswarijeyabalan8784 oh completely! my dad is currently ghost writing a celebrity memoir and the content mostly comes from interviews w the celebrity. but the ghost writer can often be the difference between a coherent book and a stream of anecdotes

[@itsaUSBline]

@@maheswarijeyabalan8784 but they can make stuff up and publish it *with* the consent of the celebrities.

[@nicoler5713]

Paris also did a documentary on the troubled teen institutions, where she talked about her experiences and met other survivors, talked to her family, got into campaigning to get these institutions closed. It's here on KZbin and I definitely recommend it - it had me welling up tbh.

[@sofy_cast]

How is it called? 👀

[@sarahwieland3243]

Paris coming forward and sharing such private parts of herself and her life truly made me look at her in such a different way. She is a remarkable and accomplished woman I admire ❤

[@MaraMara89]

@@sofy_cast The Real Story of Paris Hilton | This Is Paris Official Documentary - it is from September of 2020. On her channel

[@wanderlustintrovert]

Everyone should read "Born a crime" not only because it is such an important topic and interesting life story but also because it is entertaining. A lot of heavy topics are hard for people to really understand because they shy away from it. This book is easier to digest than a documentary or other non fiction books.

[@Vegancutie]

Loved this book

[@amikangelicalouise]

YES!

[@ginat.8064]

YES! Especially on audiobook because Trevor Noah does all the voices accents perfectly, making it all the more entertaining.

[@kamile258]

The audiobook's amazing!

[@natashambulo3510]

Loved the book

[@mald379]

I read McCurdy's book because for the first time I've heard anyone spell out on the the cover what I felt after my mothers death. But honestly it is so well written, and i think it shows people how complicated mother-daughter relationship can get and that not all mothers are the saints we paint them to be.

[@c.w.8200]

100% I still remember being a child asking adults for help because I was just scared to go home most days and from teachers to family friends it was all just "How dare you talk like that about your mother!" This whole idea that mothers are perfect saints should have been demolished a long long time ago!!!!

[@chenilleoneil1289]

Well said. The word ‘mother,’ has a completely negative connotation for SO many.

[@florenceouellet4445]

I’m inclined to think that the look of Paris’ cover is intentional, as an analogy for her character as a façade🤓

[@thereadingwriter4197]

Yeah, I really liked that aspect. And it really does seem intentional with the casual look on the front cover and the troubled one on the back cover. It’s the same bright and deceiving setting, but in one of them some emotion is peeking through

[@NA-du4sf]

I think you’re definitely right and while I appreciate the meaning and symbolism behind it, visually I just don’t like the cover.

[@rotg20]

It's like she's literally saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" it's brilliant.

[@emmaberger3748]

Libby is also where you can find a lot of audiobooks! You need a library card and then based on your city’s selection you have a lot of choices - for FREE fyi

[@Nena-mr4km]

Not only is it for free, it is also not owned by Amazon, like Audible is ;)

[@disappointmentatitsfinest3107]

“Born a crime” was my absolute favourite memoir I’ve read so far. amazing from start to finish. Trevors mom is simply the best.

[@tomsgrexit]

Matthew Perry literally saying he wished Keanu Reeves had died instead of River Phoenix, like what?? Keanu still grieves River to this day. Imagine thinking something so horrible and THEN putting it in a book for everyone to see!!

[@smaay]

It's so ironic the book's about how his life was the hardest and then he goes on and says the most insane stuff that just reeks of privilege and knows he won't get that much criticism bc it's him who said it. Like... you have to kinda admire the contradiction lmao.

[@GeGeAngel94]

I also HIGHLY recommend Stanley Tucci’s Memoir, Taste. He narrates it and shares recipes alongside all the stories. His voice is 10/10

[@corinnahogan4927]

I’m Glad My Mom Died and Born a Crime are two of my favorite books!! I’ve been wanting to listen the Viola Davis book and now I’m wanting to even more. Never heard of the Paris one but it sounds really interesting!! A few more celebrity memoirs I really enjoyed are the ones by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews (they both have two), They’re Playing Our Song by Carole Bayer Sanger (didn’t expect that one to be as good as it was!), and Becoming by Michelle Obama.

[@CatianaKeys]

same here! 'I'm glad my mom died' and 'born a crime' are for sure two of my top 10 best reads EVER. One day I will re-read both, which I don't usually do.

[@corinnahogan4927]

@@CatianaKeys Same!! Only in the past couple years have I started to reread some books. I actually bought Born a Crime as an audiobook for my sister and she let me listen to her copy. I wanted to read it again, but she'd lost her login for that account, so I just bought myself another copy of the book so I could listen again 😂

[@littlemissmello]

My personal favourite celebrity memoir is Harpo Marx's autobiography which is just the funniest book I have ever read and provides such a fascinating in a world gone by

[@corinnahogan4927]

@@littlemissmello I hadn't heard of that one, I'll have to check it out!

[@littlemissmello]

@@corinnahogan4927 have fun, let me know what you think but I am sure you'll love it! You don't really need much context but the marx brothers were a comedy troupe throughout the first half of the 20th century, you don't really need to know much about them at all, the book very much reads like a super wholesome cool and engaging grandpa talking about some memories (princess bride style), but good context is that they're known as complete anarchist both on and off the screen and stage. My favourite parts of the book are his youth in New York in the 1890s because it's sometimes hard to imagine or appreciate how much the world has changed but fucking hell, it has. Also the 1920s and 1930s in literary New York that Harpo inexplicably was a part of, was absolutely fascinating. And like I said, just incredibly funny! I have made myself excited now and will bring the book on the train with me tomorrow haha (It's called Harpo Speaks! which is ironic because he never did)

[@ValentineValmadre]

I think there's such genius in the design of Paris Hilton's memoir, because it's a fabulous way to create a metaphor, while also targeting an audience. Because it is, as Jack said, "trashy and magazine like" it appeals to young women, who are going to be able to relate and empathize most with Paris' experiences. If you aren't a Paris Hilton fan, or at least intrigued by her story, you're not going to pick up or listen to her book. This ensures that only the people who are in the mindset, or are capable of, supporting her learn about the traumas she has faced. It's also a metaphor because the cover is glitzy and glamorous, whereas the story holds hidden depth, exactly like Paris Hilton. She's someone who's built her legacy off of this ditzy, blonde, bratz doll persona, but if you're willing to look past that, if you're willing to open the book, you will see that she is so much more than the character that she's created for herself.

[@ohnoeva_4785]

I highly recommend Dave Grohl's The Storyteller! You can tell he loves writing and is so open about his fears and the grief he has dealt with, but also the joy and beauty in his life. He also narrates the audiobook, which is amazing and really funny at some moments!

[@p_p_p_p_7732]

I DNFed it, thought it was so badly written

[@SilentProti]

I had a blast reading the book, listened to a bit of the audiobook and I gotta finish it sometime. As a fan of his music work, this book brought me a lot of joy.

[@kiwipiwil]

I had to read "I am Malala" for one of my courses in uni and was so positively surprised by how amazing the book was! I totally recommend, there's a lot about her daily life in Pakistan, her father, politics and religion.

[@kimmcee]

hahahaha! I read Paris' first book back in the early 2000's and all my friends laughed at me. I read it because of a dare thinking I was going to roll my eyes every 2 seconds and was surprised that I actually enjoyed the book very much. I'm gonna have to read this one now.

[@thatonenerd311]

Jennete mccurdys book is just genius. It was so well written and I consider it as the best memoir ever written. Btw screw Dan Schneider

[@benzaiten933]

the part about her BF thinking he's Jesus and then later about her father not being her biological father, I was like her - WHAT?

[@jazmynnv5831]

She’s not a super celebrity but she is a well known musician. You should read Crying at H Mart by Michelle Zauner

[@EmyN]

I think he already read it ?

[@apricotjam212]

crying at h mart had me stuck to my screen for 2 days taking 5 minute breaks to caps lock on text all my friends how good it is lol

[@susanalfieri4487]

I recommend this book a lot. Mother/daughter drama...check. Rebellious youth...check. Immigrant story...check. Food as love...check. The reality of cancer in all its heinousness...check. A hopeful/uplifting ending after heartbreak...check. This book has all the "feels."

[@Julieseven]

Trevor described "Born a crime" as a love letter to his mother. I came away from it wanting to meet Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah more than I'd want to meet her son. She's an absolute legend, and the fact that Trevor thinks that too makes the book so amazing!

[@michelleheegaard]

... I would literally never have chosen to read a memoir by Paris Hilton. But fine. You convinced me. It's next on my list. And I agree "Im Glad My Mom Died" is an absolute masterpiece. The minute I finished it, I wanted to relisten to it. Please do more vids on (auto)biographies! I usually dont care for them but since "Im Glad My Mom Died" was so great, I would love to find other similarly great biographies

[@cocoisadog9736]

You should try "Crying in H Mart!" It's a beautiful memoir written by the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner, as she uncovers her relationship with her late mother while rekindling their history through food. I practically cried reading it-- it's hauntingly moving, and definitely worth your time.

[@TheEloise199]

I was *shocked* at how wonderful Jessica Simpson's memoir is. Especially on audiobook -- I cried like 3 times. Dang, Jessica!

[@Happytravellerkimmy]

Well now I want to read it!

[@lilianab4756]

Oh yes, Jessica's is a great read. I highly recommend it! Loved Jennette McCurdy's book too!

[@Halloloprsalulut]

I was already getting curious, but when you said Paris Hilton had ADHD and it influenced the way she wrote her memoir, that instantly made me decide to read it, as someone who was recently diagnosed with ADHD I'm very curious to read how that translates into writing style, and whether it will feel familiar and natural to me, or give me whiplash like it did you (edit 5 minutes later: I listened to the sample on audible and yeah, that's pretty much how my brain goes too!! It feels odd but so nice to have a book that does that too!!)

[@kurikong2379]

I know nobody cares but I have adhd and tried to write a book. A year later, I reread my work and it was just either over describing a person's clothes or the scenery or food or just making unnecessary time jumps that makes me (the future reader) confused on what the novel is about

[@NA-du4sf]

Paris’s memoir is not without its flaws (there are some topics that she just doesn’t handle properly and it can also be incredibly repetitive at times (her ADHD and partying (I have ADHD too but she just describes it the same way everytime so it loses its impact and we don’t gain anything from the lack of details/elaboration) also how she pioneered influencing (she speaks about it so much and so vaguely that most of the times it gets brought up it could be left out)) but there were many moments in her story that I highlighted to return to, mainly because they brought me comfort or because I have a similar struggle to overcome. So I do think it’s worth reading, but definitely not for everyone (especially if you lost a loved one to drunk driving). And if this book’s flaws prevent you from enjoying it, I totally understand and respect that, but I do hope that this book can continue to provide comfort and support to those who need it.

[@lozzle]

My favourite celebrity memoir, and one I recommend thoroughly if you haven’t read it, is Lucky Man by Michael J Fox. It was published back in the early 00’s, a few years after he went public with his Parkinson’s diagnosis, and it’s a fantastically honest and heartfelt account of his experience with getting diagnosed and how that disrupted the effects of his massive ascent to fame in the 80s. This is my Paris the memoir.

[@daisyquartermain7520]

i very much recommend 'strong female character' by fern brady in either physical or audiobook form, her memoir about growing up in as an undiagnosed neurodivergent woman in working class scotland, i devoured it in a day!

[@purrgundy]

Love her ❤️

[@luciadilazzaro2285]

I want to read it as well after discovering her through Taskmaster.

[@benzaiten933]

I had no clue she struggled so much and how the lives of those on the spectrum could be. I'm so glad I've read it, it was very honest and powerful.

[@sandeesandwich2180]

If you enjoyed the Viola Davis book (as you did), try Billy Porter's memoir, Unprotected. I also really enjoyed Billy Jean King's memoir All In -- she's not a natural performer, but she laughs at some points and gets very choked up at others, which grabs the listeners by the feels.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I really enjoyed Billy's memoir

[@robindavda8967]

I think I prefer this structure of a list video sometimes I feel like I zone out in the middle bits of other youtubers' lists if they go from worst to best but this less linear approach kept me on my toes!

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

I entirely agree that Jennette McCurdy's memoir is a must-read. Over recent weeks, I have also thoroughly enjoyed Trevor Noah's Born a Crime (which reminded me of my senior schooldays in South Africa), Recollections of My None Existence by Rebecca Solnit, and Remembering by Sinéad O'Connor. I also re-read Stephen Fry's Fry's Ties, and the classic Act One by Moss Hart. Enjoy! ❤

[@heathermckay1102]

I totally agree that audiobooks help to engage and hear the emotions and the way the book was intended to be heard, truly helps you build a relationship with the book and the people within the story. Love these sorts of videos

[@toastonmitchell2636]

Would you ever do one with older celebrity autobiographies? Specifically Charlie Chaplin's was insane and I couldn't put it down.

[@shovelmetimbers]

I read this last year and it was so good!

[@crishnaholmes7730]

@@shovelmetimberswhat did you like most

[@Hillary429]

You and Uncarley should do a little live show chatting about these books 👯‍♀️

[@skivy5116]

the memoirs i've read i've only ever listened to them, "i'm glad my mom died" and "this is going to hurt" have been some of the best books i've ever truly *experienced*. both jennette mccurdyand adam kay are truly amazing performers.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Not learning from previous errors? Sir, you’re preaching to the choir and the orchestra.

[@chaitanyasethi1580]

@JackEdwards I'd also recommend Pamela Anderson's memoir. She wrote in a very unique voice and without any ghostwriter. The book had its issues in the narrative and the kind of stories she chose to tell but it's still a very solid memoir.

[@alexysrobbins8660]

I watched this video because I saw Jennette McCurdy’s book and I just finished it and loved it and I needed the validation that it wasn’t because of the rose color glasses of loving her true self for years now.

[@justwonder1404]

I haven't read Paris's book, but I've heard excerpts from it and I'm so mad on her behalf. Her parents don't deserve her.

[@kavya12kohli]

"I'm Glad my mom died" was the first memoir I ever read and it changed my perspective about memoirs. Then I read another memoir "In the Dream House". Absolutely amazing!! Both of them made me sob my eyes out. I woke up with a huge wet spot on my pillow both times.

[@mayfia]

Jack loves in the dream house lol

[@thatgirlwhoreadsalot]

I loved Paris: The Memoir so much, it was really so unexpected- I didn't expect it would turn into a five star read for me. I was waiting for your take on this!

[@larissamoreira2635]

I havent read Matthew's book, but for those who did and thought it was a miss: maybe the book "Idiot", from Laura Clarey will hit the spot. It's the memoir of this comedian in LA and about her struggles with addiction as well. She is ofc way more anonym, but it was a really brave book and she still managed to be funny.

[@lotusflower474]

Agree I love Idiot. It’s funny, raw, honest and very much explores addiction. The Audible narration is also brilliant

[@alizeedanielle9423]

Loved Viola Davis book, it was intense and really heavy but so interesting and important to listen to, also her reading it was just incredible, couldn't recommend it enough ✨

[@kristinapresinska2699]

Evanna Lynch wrote The Opposite of butterfly hunting and it is sooo good. It's about anorexia, fame, mental health, (Harry Potter). I can't recomend it highly enough.

[@WhytheBookWins]

Yes! So happy you loved the Paris Hilton memoir! It was sooo good! I actually quite liked the Perry memoir though, but you make some valid points against it.

[@OmnivorousReader]

- Haruki Murakami school of talking about women - THANK you! Best description ever and I am so gratefully that NOT everyone else in the world thinks he is a flawless author.

[@hooran7887]

I need you to make a video about hozier .. he does recommend great books but also HIS LYRICS!!!! And not just take me to church and eat your young .. listen to his other songs guys !!

[@musicaesthetic4126]

Yesssssss

[@alisaperez3716]

Memoirs are my favorite genre but I've only read one this year. Educated is about a girl who was homeschooled in an abusive and doomsday cultish family and it talks so much about what we learn and need to unlearn and had the best examples of gaslighting to help people understand the confusion and power that type of abuse has on a person.

[@lisa8727]

I love the video, as always, and I usually don't comment but I just wanted to come back to Perry for a minute. He is very much like Chandler Bing, although he is not exactly the same as his character, and as someone who is kind of pre-disposed to addiction I can say that his tone can be explained by the fact that he may have tried to appear detached from these events, trying to put them behind him. I haven't read the book, and maybe I'm wrong, but I've seen him talking about his struggles in interviews and it breaks my heart every time. Since with a memoir, you have the chance to edit what you say, you're not put on the spot and you can choose how you say things, it is possible that he would have chosen this tone to avoid being too vulnerable and plunging back into these horrible times. As for him being a mysoginist, of course there is no excuse, although he is very good friends with Jennifer Aniston who is a feminist, so I don't really know whether it's intentionnal or internalized.

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

I rolled my eyes when I first saw Paris Hilton wrote a book but I've seen so many people rave about it so I've had to check my prejudices and give it a try.

[@lenusniq_9746]

I think Paris may be one of the best actresses of early 2000s as she successfully convinced the world that she was just some stupid blond bimbo...

[@ESPHMacD]

There are some memoirs or celebrity books that I love listening to more than I like reading them. I think that having the authors telling their story, being able to hear the emotions in their voice, the tones of the sentences, it just hits me harder, has more of an impact. Plus, some authors write as they speak, and not in proper writing format. It can make the book feel almost unprofessional because of how we are used to having books be. Having someone read it in their tone/cadence is more helpful than trying to hear it in their voice in my head as I read it when it doesn't follow conventional writing methods. Currently listening to Bretman Rock's because I could not have passed on hearing him read it all himself. His voice is so HIM that I feel like listening to him read it will have a larger impact than just plain reading it will.

[@hollyjollycalli]

i would really recommend stanley tucci’s audiobook as well! he reads it really well + he talks about food and family in a really interesting way

[@sarasvensson6026]

I LOVED "I'm glad my mom died" !! I grew up with a narcissistic dad who died when I was 19 and I feel just like Jennette; I'm glad my dad died. I cried at the end of the book.

[@RosseeBoy19]

Completely agree about the audiobook thing, as someone who is visually impaired I really so heavily on them, just wish they were more wider available

[@kayliemcintosh7841]

I freaking LOVE LOVE LOVE that you're reviewing Finding Me. I primarily listen to celebrity autos and her book is in my top 3. There are some REALLY good autos out there. Viola's book was so transformative to me. I just bawled my eyes out at the end. Like, after everything she went through- I was just overwhelmed!!!

[@IchigoSpaz]

I've also found myself reading autobiographies and memoirs via audiobooks as well. I started with Michelle Obama's Becoming and have listened to more and more memoirs on Audible. Right now I'm listening to Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I highly recommend it.

[@jakerockznoodles]

I'm not usually a memoir reader, but I read 2 recently and while written a while ago now they were still fascinating reads. They were "Swingin' at the Savoy" and "Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop", memoirs from Lindy Hop dancers Norma Miller and Frankie Manning. As someone who does it as a hobby, I was recommended them and they're a really interesting window into both the artform and the time and context in which they were created. What was really interesting reading them back to back is that they worked in the same dance troupe but being separate people, their life took them in different directions and you got to see a lot of the same events from two different perspectives (particularly where they diverge at the point of WW2, where Frankie gets drafted into the war while Norma continues travelling and dancing with the troupe). While I guess they aren't celebrities as such, I think it's great when we get to see a part of culture that was largely either ignored or distorted by mainstream media of the time.

[@honeygraham01]

One of my favorite memoir authors is Selma Blair. She tells the stories of growing up, making movies and TV shows, and her diagnosis of MS and the treatments she has tried. It is a powerful raw emotion that she gives to the readers (listeners). I can't tell enough people about her books.

[@malissaowen2743]

Honestly surprised it took this long for you to score the audible sponsorship! You deserve it!!

[@zohalarbabzada9654]

Your top 2 I absolutely love! I cannot believe how much hardship Viola Davis endured to get to where she is today. And Born a Crime was incredible!!!!! One of the first celebrity memoirs I read! I didn't listen to Viola Davis' audiobook but the book itself without the audiobook narration is incredible!

[@missyureiii]

If i didnt know Jennette’s book was a real story, I would have thought it was a masterpiece of a fiction novel. A lot of memoirs just have that tone where you know it’s a memoir, but I’m Glad My Mom Died is just so readable, I couldn’t stop reading not just because of how juicy the story is knowing the behind the scenes of being a child star, but as a reader you feel like you actually get into her head or her shoes and experience what she does in those moments. The writing is so good, you don’t realize you are reading a story, you feel like you are seeing and feeling what she does

[@mari.art1999]

A memoir I listened to this year and ABSOLUTELY LOVED AND CHANGED MY LIFE was Selma Blair's Mean Baby. I didn't know much about her besides watching her in Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde and I only listened to it cause I liked the cover design, so I had no expectations and it ended up being my favorite of the year so far!!!

[@sn0wflake]

Thank you for your comment about celebrity memoirs helping the publishing industry. I value them for the same reason, and I also think they can also be wonderful gifts for their fans. Doesn’t matter if they’re not for everyone! Nothing is.

[@gracereasoner542]

i really recommend Making a Scene by Constance Wu for other great celeb memoirs!

[@angelaholmes8888]

Great pick

[@musicandloveismylive]

"Born a Crime" is one of my favorite books of the year that I read it. Superb!

[@lucyloving1Direction]

I 100% recommend Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. It's funny and witty and genuinely interesting and his audiobook narration is wonderful with all the accents and voices he does.

[@yifanzhao4113]

I grew up watching Friends and the show somehow saved me from a very serious depression in the last year of my college. And because of that I pre-ordered Matthew Perry's memoir. I was heartbroken for the experience he had but would not give the book anything above 2 out of 10. It was too poorly written, too out of touch, too arrogant and unappreciative. On the other hand, full marks for I'm Glad My Mom Died and Born a Crime! They are both my favs this year. I am on one of Stephen Fry's memoirs, The Fry Chronicles right now and would recommend this one also. :) Thanks Jack for sharing, sending love from China. ❤

[@elysianemily]

I saw you reading all these books on Goodreads and was wondering what video you were cooking up!

[@witchywoman2008]

I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed Paris’ book. I’ve been a fan of her for a long time and I really want to read the book. I’m glad to hear it’s good and it sounds like I’ll enjoy it a lot ❤

[@bobturner2312]

i found Mariah Carey's 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey' similar to 'I'm Glad My Mom Died', both amazing heartwrenching reads about celebrities I didn't realise had been through so much!

[@tayloredbeautyedit]

I watched this video specifically to see what you thought of Paris Hilton's memoir! I also read it not expecting much except some fun, frivolous insights into y2k Hollywood, but it was SO powerful. I said the same thing - it reads like fiction and I had to keep reminding myself not only that someone went through this insane psychologically torturous experience, but Paris Hilton of all people went through it. I cannot believe what she's had to endure, and I came away with so much more respect for her. I, too, am on a mission to make as many people read her story as possible.

[@cassandrapierce7203]

Okay Jack, your vids have now caused me to create a JE Folder of Recommendations - DUDE, you are quickly helping me break from my current direction and encompassing a whole new cadre of genres and perspectives. Thanks for three new books!!!

[@charlotteanastasia5162]

So happy to hear Paris’ book is worth it - didn’t doubt it for a second though 😍 I’ve been wanting to read it, just haven’t gotten around to it. Now it’s a must!

[@NoFirstNoLastName]

I have an extremely mentally, verbally and even sometimes physically abusive mom. She is this way to everyone. In my head, I know that while her death will be sad to a degree, naturally, our lives will improve significantly with her gone. So, I relate so much to Jeanette’s book and it made me cry, because she is glad her mom died, and I wish my mom would. She is old. She is going to soon enough. Can’t she just do it already?

[@otdtyh]

"I'm Glad My Mom Died" changed my life. It's a gorgeous book. Jeanette McCurdy is a gifted storyteller.

[@panicfvx]

I’ve been having the most boring day and then you posted and my heart started skipping down 16th Avenue, thank you Jack

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I actually expected Paris would be really good. She’s not an airhead she just plays one on TV.

[@leonardo.diCATio]

Seeing the words "poor writing" next to Jennette McCurdy's in the thumbnail gave me a stroke. I bought a copy when it came out, and I never felt so spoken to by a book. Such a beautiful exposé on not only Hollywood's treatment of child stars, but narcissistic/abusive parents.

[@Lucy-qh9yh]

rip matthew perry :(

[@carolinem4003]

it’s like u read my mind jack omg. this is the EXACT video i needed rn!!

[@Mymakermovie77]

I just started Paris the Memoir and it’s really good! I love the narration so far (also just heard the rat story lmaooo)

[@lilybugslibrary]

I'm so glad you did this video. I have been wondering about a lot of these books and now I know which ones to give a pass to and which ones are worth my attention.

[@charunetrasenthilkumar6541]

Jack, you are a wonderful person, reintroducing everyone to the world of books by simpling sharing your passions and delights. Your sensitivity and thoughtfulness also makes me raise the bar for men. Lots of love always

[@ameliewessig197]

"Lost & Found" by Kathryn Schulz is an incredible memoir and my absolute favorite book. She's not exactly a celebrity, but that makes the book better in my opinion - the experiences are so universal but she still finds such a beautiful way to talk about them. Highly recommend!!

[@carolinaaguilar6820]

I recently read Me by Elton John and i thought it was pretty good! You should give it a read!

[@martha21co]

Totally agree and the narration by taron edgerton is really good!

[@crishnaholmes7730]

@@martha21cois it a good one

[@flavia1097]

You have to read “Born in crime” by Trevor Noah. I rarely read/like celebrity memoirs, but “Born in crime” is amazing. Edit: lol, maybe next time I should watch the entire video before commenting 😂

[@wonwoop9629]

Great video, like always! Could you possibly do more audible book recommendations? I have some un-used credits I have no clue what to do with 😅

[@Emma-sh4jb]

I absolutely love celebrity memoirs, but I haven't read all of these ones! I'll have to! I loved Born a Crime and I'm in the middle of listening to Greenlights. Gonna go for a Viola Davis & Paris Hilton next!!!

[@angelaholmes8888]

Both of viola and Paris memoir are worth a read

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦👍🖐♥️🚐🌳🛣🌲🎠🏍🐕🎸🎨🖌🥓 Memoirs are one of my favourite genres. Ingrid Bergman did not want to write autobiography but her son Roberto said if you dont someone else will and you wont like what they write 😢

[@themodernbookwoman]

I'm so so glad you loved Finding Me as much as I did! It's one of the best books I've read/listened to this year! Can't wait to check out Paris.

[@julianasilveira4806]

When I started this video, I wondered if you'd listened to Finding Me, since I just finished it! I'm so glad you liked it too, and I hope this video brings more people to this story. Viola's work was MASTERFUL in this audiobook and I fully agree that that woman deserved that EGOT and so much more ❤

[@avipshasengupta6112]

Born a Crime is one of the funniest and most profound things I have read. Highly recommend for getting out of a 'reading block'.

[@TheVanillebluete]

Oh yes trevor & viola... read one and listened to the other and they were incredible and gave me a look into a world I could have never understood unless they guided me through it..

[@Likeymartinez]

I recommend Unbound: "My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement" by Tarana Burke it's a powerful book

[@ChristinaPLe.514]

100% agree about Paris Hilton’s memoir. I came in not expecting much about it but it is one of my top reads this year. It brought a lot of perspective on how we judge people without knowing the complete story.

[@danarossa]

I dont know exactly why and when i bought the "im glad my mom died" audiobook but at some point i found it in my library and decided to give it a go. And oh boy. It was not by any means a pseasurable experience, i could not binge listen to it, but i was not giving up on it as well. I listened to it for an hour a day, i think and it was a true journey. Even though i've never been through even nearly the issues the author had been but i still did A LOT of selfreflection while reading it. Probably one of few books that actually impacted me. P.s. now im preatty sure i impulsively bought it after your recommendation

[@Showtunediva]

I can see where you are coming from about Matthew Perry’s memoir but I really enjoyed learning about his journey with his addiction & my heart broke for him for his loneliness and how much he suffered during filming Friends.

[@dianagrace776]

I just read Tom Felton‘s „Beyond the wand“ and was surprised at the depth and wit of it - I‘d be really interested in how you would review it😊

[@abbynew4188]

I'm a person who's mostly into fantasy so you know a book is good when somebody who doesn't like memoirs adores your book. i love Jennettes book it was so beautiful she was so honest she wasn't trying to frame herself in any way she just told her story beautifully and i recommend this book for anybody who has seen icarly or just in general.

[@susanalfieri4487]

I loved the Trevor Noah book. I haven't read any of the others, but I really do like to Viola Davis as a person, so I think I'd like her book a lot. Jennette McCurdy's memoir is on my list to buy when it comes out in paperback, which I imagine will be later this year (2024). I've seen her read excerpts in interviews--and that story is WILD. The other celebrity memoir I would highly recommend is CRYING IN H MART by indie musician Michelle Zauner. Of all its good qualities, at its heart is a lovely, intimate, complicated mother/daughter story. It's a great read, very tender and fierce and richly rendered. I'm also really interested in British actor Richard E. Grant's A POCKETFUL OF HAPPINESS, which I've heard is--among other things--a beautiful love letter to his late wife. Also, Henry Winkler and Sir Patrick Stewart both had memoirs out last year. Would like to read both of those.

[@lovepuppy2242]

love that I can tell what you think of the book just from how you say "this book..."

[@giveemmadog22]

Could you do a video on non-celebrity memoir recs? I'm a high school English Teacher and we are doing a unit around them for independent reading. Also, I actually have a rec for you! In The Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado. It is about a writer who experienced an abusive queer relationship. It bends all the rules of multiple genres all to tell a story often silenced. It immediately jumped into my all time favorites list!

[@lucyames6157]

i love know my name by chanel miller and the glass castle! also small fry by lisa brennan jobs (steve jobs' daughter, i wouldn't consider it celebrity memoir but kind of a grey area). you may have already heard of all these so feel free to ignore!

[@amyparker9816]

I second The Glass Castle, I read it in high school and loved it. I would also recommend Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Muller, especially if you are in Canada or the US (although the message/themes are important no matter where you are). It's a very powerful book that tells stories of intergenerational trauma, oppression, racism, abuse, coming of age, and healing.

[@kaymaya8338]

My favourite memoir is From The Ashes by Jesse Thistle, it covers his experience with trauma and addiction as an Indigenous Canadian. I would recommend a trigger warning for students reading it, it’s VERY honest

[@abbyabroad]

The one by the star of Crazy Rich Asians is shockingly good. Love Born a Crime too

[@mentalcase8]

I love listening to celebrity audiobooks when I’m going to be taking a long drive. It keeps me awake. And of these 6, I’ve listened to 3. And I agree with everything you said about them. Matthew Perry’s book and Viola Davis’ book, but I liked Greenlights much more than to place it at 5. The other one I listened to this year is Trejo: My life of Crime, Redemption and Hollywood. It was a great listen. I’ll be sure to get Born a Crime on my next trip. Thanks for the fun video.