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

Let’s all pour one out for the ghost writers

“One thing about me is that I will never learn from my previous errors”. Same Jack, same

I said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm glad my Mom died by Jennette McCurdy. This book is a 10/10 and I will always recommend it because of how raw and uncut it is. I love Jennette McCurdy a million times more since reading this book.

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 KZfaq and I definitely recommend it - it had me welling up tbh.

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.

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

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.

The "Haruki Murakami School of Talking About Women" is a wonderful phrase. 🤭

I actually love the paris cover for what you said, it looks trashy. she was called trashy, stupid, bimbo her entire public carer and to have that type of cover on her book. i love love love it.

i am so happy to see Born A Crime uplifted and praised because it was one of my first five stars this year and it brought so many things to light for me, i cannot stop recommending it

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

one of the best memoirs I've ever read is 'what my bones know' by Stephanie Foo! its about healing from complex trauma and focuses on intergenerational trauma specifically from an Asian-American perspective. It was so insightful and educational yet felt so personal!! I recommend that everyone reads (or listens as she narrates the audiobook)!

I feel like I'm Glad My Mom Died is just an exception because Jeanette has always wanted to be a writer, not an actor. She has always had a gift, and I'm super happy that her writing is pivoting her public image and not her previous acting projects at N**k. She's finally "proven" herself to the world at large, and to some extent her abusers that she is fully capable and will stand her ground no matter what.

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

TIMESTAMPS I’m glad my mom died- Jeanette McCurdy 0:41 Spare- Prince Harry 4:47 Born a crime- Trevor Noah 8:54 Friends lovers and the big terrible thing- Matthew Perry 12:29 Paris the Memoir 15:00 Greenlights- Matthew McConaughey 18:06 Finding Me- Viola Davis 20:16

Watching this while making peanut butter muffins

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.

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

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!!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Born a Crime is amazing

Was just listening to the bit about Matthew Perry’s memoir when my daughter came in and told me the news of his passing. How awful!

I saw the thumbnail and the notification and I just had to be here. Jack psychoanalysing celebrities and dragging them when necessary? We Stan! Also, Miss Kendall Jenner is no longer welcome here.

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

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!

... 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

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.

I only now realize how much of a historical impact the book spare will have. Imagine in 200 years.. a book a royal wrote will be a classic good or no good. Imagine if Anne boleyn or napoleons brother wrote a book back then. It would now be on all bookshelfs and literature classes. So I think this could happen to Spare for suree. Like it's the only book ever written as we know now (if im not mistaken) by a royal person ever. Totally under his own name.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!!)

Jack, you’ll probably never see this but nonetheless I want to thank you for recommending Paris Hilton’s memoir! It was truly an eye-opener. I was definitely not a fan of hers but your passionate recommendation piqued my curiosity. Now, while I still wouldn’t call myself a “fan” (I’m a 70 year old white male - not exactly her target audience 😉) I do have *HUGE* respect for her!

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

An under appreciated celebrity memoir that I adored was “Yours Cruelly, Elvira” how Cassandra writes her story is so wonderful and creative from her telling her childhood story to her coming out story. I highly recommend.

Your assessment of Matthew Perry's book is spot on in my opinion. I said to myself several times, did anybody even give an edit to this book? It repeated, it skipped around, it was bad. And he came off very ungrateful, and therefore unlikable, which bummed me out because i was a huge fan before reading this. It seemed like he had been going through the motions instead of doing the steps. So sad, and i just hope he has now found peace.

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

I actually enjoyed Mathew Perry’s memoir a lot. It was so refreshing; having read it after Will Smith’s - which made me question whether I enjoy memoirs/biographies because of how self righteous and fake-enlightened he came across. But Matthew’s!!!❤ I loved how raw and honest he was. Reading it felt like living in his head, which I can understand may not be pleasant for most, it’s certainly not even pleasant for Matthew, but it felt soo real. If you decide to read it, separate him from Chandler Bing entirely, this will feel more akin to Bojack Horseman’s memoir.

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! ❤

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.

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

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.

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.

@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.

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

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.

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 ✨

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!

The first memoir I read was "the princess diarist" by carrie fisher, mainly about the recording of the first star wars and her personal life, I loved it so much. Unfortunately it was the only one of hers available in my language so I ventured out and read "Wishful Drinking" and it's incredible, she recounts the misfortunes of her life, addictions, her bipolar disorder, living being the daughter of the cream of old hollywood with a sarcasm and good humor. She was so much more than star wars, I think she was the only celebrity I felt when she was gone, Wishful Drinking is well worth reading, even if you're not a fan. Carrie was a fabulous writer, often asked to correct movie scripts.

Make that a two person mission to get everyone to read Paris’s memoir. Her book turning out to be one of my favorites this year was not on my bingo card. I read it a couple months ago, and I still think about it frequently. I enjoyed her writing style, and I ended up admiring her quite a bit for how she handled certain situations, and just her overall persistence and attitude towards life.

"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.

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!!!

"I couldn't BE.... more disappointed with this book" 😆 that was great

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.

I reallly recommend Scottish comedian Fern Brady’s autobiography -Strong Female Character! It explores growing up as a female autistic person and it’s just so incredible. I listened to the audiobook before Jennette’s and now I can safely say celebrity memoirs will be my audible library for the foreseeable future.

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 !!

Born a crime was a quick read but accomplished a lot with a little. It was funny, engaging and heartwarming, and I couldn't recommended it more. I fell in love with his mother and their story through this book

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.

Loved this so much! Can’t wait to check them out, you’re so engaging so the video just flew by, always a treat when you upload!!

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.

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.

I must say I've really been loving the last couple of videos you've done, Jack. Really excellent work.

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.

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

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.

Definitely going to read Born A Crime. I love Trevor Noah. Your review convinced me to pick it yp.

I borrowed Paris’ memoir from the library but it’s def on my buy list. The writing mimicking her thought process as someone with ADHD, her insights on celebrity/influencer/media culture through the 90s and aughts, the way she relates life to the control tactics she experienced in the troubled teen centers! One of my fave books I’ve read this year

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.

Phew, I am glad you enjoyed Paris - The Memoir :D I got it on Audible for my vacation last week, but only listened to the first chapter so far :D Will definitely have to continue soon. Trevor Noah's Born A Crime I read when it was released and loved it. Such a great book! Also devoured "I'm Glad My Mom Died" I never thought I would enjoy memoirs, but after reading "Educated" I am hooked on them :D

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

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!!!

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.

Thanks for reading and ranking all the celebrity autobiographies I’ve been thinking of reading Jack! Was just reading the sample of Matthew Perry’s the other night and wasn’t sure if I could get into it or wanted to continue with it. Still v curious about Harry’s. Plus some left field recommendations too! Would never have considered Paris’s until you said this! Also wasn’t aware of Viola’s. I’ll add them to the list!

I highly recommend Craig Ferguson's American on Purpose and Alan Cumming's Not My Father's Son. Both beautifuly written and will make you laugh and cry.

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.

OMG I LOVED THE PARIS MEMOIR!!! I went in expecting it to be unexpectedly good but it was incredible!!! I was so scared about where you were going to rank it but I was so happy when you said it was an unexpected gem.

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

watching this now after Matthews passing hurts

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 ❤

Jack, your humour is just top tier. And celebrity autobiographies are my guilty pleasure. Ngl, i especially enjoyed this video

Literally concluded that I need to read your top 3 before the video ended. They’re on my list!

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.

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

I suggest Minka Kelly's Tell Me Everything! It's similar to Jeanette as in her mother is the narrative conduit, but it's trule also incredibly well written and you can't help but finish the book thinking how strong she is and how much of a fighter she had to be in order to survive.

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.

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!!!

I feel so seen by your comment on Matthew Perry's memoir 😅 I had high expectations of it and felt let down really quickly. I couldn't really laugh at most of the jokes he made in the book and ended up skipping about 40 pages toward the end because I was so... bored. The story could have been a very powerful one to tell had it been told in a different way. I definitely wondered why this book was edited so poorly.

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.

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

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.

Your smile and energy are so infectious! I love your videos so much 🥰

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 ❤

I love hearing you talk। It's very soothing

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!