eNewspaper | Crosswords | Horoscopes

Books

Fri Jan 23 2026

Clare Mulroy | Books Reporter

Happy Friday, booklovers!

Jennette McCurdy first burst onto the literary scene with "I'm Glad My Mom Died," a memoir as buzzy in title and cover as the contents inside. Now, McCurdy is back with her debut novel, "Half His Age." I had the opportunity to chat with her over the phone in December and again this week at our New York City studio. Between discussions of female rage, toxic relationships and writing craft, McCurdy told me she feels the most kinship with book people. (Celebrities, they're just like us!)

20260121_USAT_BOOKS_Jennette McCurdy_Screenshot.jpg

USA TODAY Books Reporter Clare Mulroy sits down with Jennette McCurdy to talk about her new book "Half His Age."

Nathanial Gary

"I feel more of a sense of belonging in the literary world than I ever, ever did in Hollywood," McCurdy said. "(I've been) finding my people and feeling like I've got lifelong friends and they're authors. These are my people. These are my friends."

McCurdy is candid about the differences between Hollywood and publishing. She prefers the latter. But "Half His Age" has been picked up for adaptation with McCurdy writing and directing. "I'm Glad My Mom Died" will also soon be a series starring Jennifer Aniston.

Despite one foot still in Tinseltown, McCurdy has made an intentional career shift – she'd rather be known as Jennette McCurdy, author, than Jennette McCurdy, former child star. For her, writing a book is not about a new project or IP rights; she's content to be left dreaming at her writing desk.

Check out our full sit-down interview with McCurdy here.

Tell me what you think of "Half His Age" at cmulroy@usatoday.com or by reaching out on Instagram. Thanks for checking out USA TODAY Books this week!