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Gabrielle Benoit

2024: June: Books I've Read (Ranked): The Fascination with Male Celebrities (in novel and memoir)

June has gone quickly, but it has also felt like the longest month ever. I've been busy, it's zoomed by in the blink of an eye, but it's still June? This was not my most prolific reading month, but I feel like throwing together a post, like exorcising demons; just get it out of my system.


A quick rundown of my favorites (lol there's really only 1, but I'll give you 2 bonuses); Interestingly enough, all of these books focus on the ups and downs of male celebrity.

  • Reality Check: If you would've told me how much I would've loved Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino's book, I would've never believed you. He was my least favorite character on Jersey Shore (yes, even behind Ronnie), but I now understand why he was so abhorrent on the show. He was fully addicted to opioids whilst overconsuming other substances, further fueled by ego, sex, and celebrity. Unlike 90% of other celebrity memoirs, Mike is raw and honest. He tells his own story. He does not air out the dirty laundry of others. He shares a full spectrum of his truth and takes accountability for his actions. Furthermore, having not watched Jersey Shore since college, I can't wait to re-watch, and include the Family Vacation series too. Dare I say it, but his honesty and love for his wife is quite attractive. I can't recommend this book enough.

  • (Bonus) Gray: A little bit Pete Wentz memoir, a little bit Fall Out Boy history, a handful of Chicago references, and a lottabit dive into depression, anxiety, and co-dependent relationships. This book is written by Pete Wentz, an accomplished lyricist, and you can feel his poetic stream of consciouness flow.

  • (Bonus) Colton Gentry's Third Act: Colton Gentry is a country music star (more like, B-List, but married to the tip top A-List country pop star) and in a drunken haze decides to soap-box about gun violence/ gun control at a concert and the crowd turns on him. Then the industry turns on him, he loses his job, his wife leaves him, and he is forced to move back home and live with his mom. Minus this drama, this book is a Hallmark movie in a lot of ways; career change, second-chance romance, and big city man in a small country town (don't worry, I left out a lot of other details; this won't spoil the book). I really enjoyed this story, but it was a little longer than necessary, which is why it wasn't a favorite-favorite.




Loved (Recommend to anyone for any reason)

  • Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation- How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison- Mike Sorrentino


Really Liked (Top choice recommendations)

  • Gray- Pete Wentz

  • Colton Gentry's Third Act- Jeff Zentner


Pretty Good (Recommend lite)

  • The Princess of Las Vegas- Chris Bohjalian

  • Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People's Business- Roxane Gay

  • Things I Should Have Said - Jamie Lynn Spears


Okay (Fine- Liked enough)

  • Funny Story- Emily Henry

  • 888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers: A Novel


Not For Me (Wasn't the intended audience or did not like)

  • Valley of the Dolls- Jacqueline Susann


DNF (Did Not Finish)

  • The Last Word- Elly Griffiths


Final Reflection:

This was written about a month and a half ago. When I said this summer is zooming away from me, I meant it. Go, Gabby, slay.


For further reviews of each book, check out my Goodreads account!

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