I am a lover of fiction. Always have been and always will be. However, I picked up my first Memoir in October 2022 and my life changed. Since then I make the effort to read a couple memoirs a year and I exclusively listen to them on audio. However, my first memoir (the first on this list) I read the physical book and still absolutely loved. I hope that one of these can peak your interest.
All books on this list have a long list of trigger warnings. These include but are not limited to (manipulation, physical, mental, and emotional abuse, control, loss of infant, etc.) Please check TW(s) before reading.
Like many kids my age I grew up watching icarly and eventually Sam and Cat. My friends and I would sometimes play iCarly and being the blonde, I would always end up playing Sam. I loved Sam she was spunky, loud and fun. Basically everything little Rachael wanted to be. I obviously knew Sam was just a character, a fake persona created to elevate the show and add humor all while supporting the main character Carly, but I loved her nonetheless. Due to my admiration for the character, I knew the name Jennette McCurdy.
I grew up wishing I could play Sam, and do all of the silly, fun things Jennette seemed to be doing week after week. I figured that being on a show as silly as iCarly had to be an incredible experience. Not to mention she had to be making decent money plus she had lots of followers which seemed so cool at the time. However this book shows that the reality was very different from my assumptions. The book highlights the neglect, abuse, and control that was hidden behind the cameras.
When I read this, the story sank particularly deep for me. I felt a sense of regret for the envy I had as a girl towards Jennette. Here in her memoir she pulled apart the scene of childhood stardom, parental control/ abuse and more. I realized for the first time how fake social media can be, how misguided the public can be and the pressure as well as trauma childhood stars face all at the expense of others entertainment . The grass truly isn’t always greener on the other side.
19 Kids and Counting (formally 17 kids and counting) was one of the first reality family TV shows I can remember watching as a child. As a little girl I was intrigued by the premise of so many kids in a house. Partly because I was an only child but also because I loved the game babysitting mania and I could only imagine how hard it was to take care of 19 kids and their messes.
The thing that stuck out to me the most throughout this book was how Jill handled so many difficult situations with a level of grace many people could only dream of having. It was truly admirable. Jill acknowledged flaws and shortcomings and held herself and others accountable for them. I also admired Jill’s courage to find her voice, her own beliefs, and ability to politely disagree with her family and some of their values.
Jill discussed the pressure she felt with the expectations of being known as the sweet, good child. She discussed the role her families faith had in their growth, success and ultimately downfall. This book also brought into light the horrors of family reality tv. I honestly loved this book so much and think anyone especially those of faith should read it. It asks the question is the cost really worth all that is lost? Oftentimes it seems it is not.
I don’t think a single book has had my jaw on the floor the way this one did. I genuinely said what the f**k out loud several times and had to pause the audio book to process what I just heard.
This book follows Tara and her family, a Mormon survivalist family in Idaho. Tara describes the challenges she and her siblings faced growing up largely isolated from the rest of the world. She discusses the toll mental health had in her family and the seemingly impossible obstacles she had to overcome. It was truly remarkable to watch her growth throughout the book.
Tara wasn’t a childhood TV star like the other previous authors on this list, she wasn’t famous or rich either. But her story is just as interesting. Tara brings to light the horrors of dysfunctional families, the power of manipulation and control, as well as the damage of poor mental health to a person and their family.
Thank you so much for checking out my blog! I am having an absolute BLAST writing and hope you all are enjoying embarking on this journey with me! Happy reading!!! – Rachael xoxo
Rachael Reads 
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