Book Review: This is Me: A Reckoning by Hayden Panettiere

Title: This Is Me: A Reckoning

Author: Hayden Panettiere

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction, Adult

Pages: 320

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 2026

Format: Audiobook

"Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere reclaims her story in a remarkably candid memoir.

Hayden Panettiere's career in entertainment began before she could talk. From her first gig as a Michelin baby to roles in cult classics like Remember the Titans and Raising Helen, as well as popular soap operas Guiding Light and One Life to Live, Hayden built an impressive resume by the time she entered middle school. Throughout the early 2000s, she starred in millennial favorites like Racing Stripes, Heroes, and Scream 4 & VI and earned two Golden Globe nominations for her starring role of Juliette Barnes in Nashville. The squeaky-clean face of Neutrogena, she was Hollywood's girl next door and subjected to all the fame, attention and expectations that came with it. In an era of relentless paparazzi with an appetite for celebrity breakdowns, naysayers were certain this young starlet would crash and burn. Not one to disappoint, she did. 

In this irreverent, intimate and inspiring memoir, Hayden holds nothing back. What started as a fun job for a child took a decidedly darker turn as she came of age. She exposes the pressure and exploitation young stars face before they're old enough to know themselves, and how easy it is for them to lose control of her own narrative and, ultimately, their lives. Hayden was a target of brutal tabloid headlines picking apart her body, and she performed storylines onscreen that mirrored her real-life trauma. She suffered post-partum depression, addiction and recovery, domestic abuse, and the loss of her beloved little brother. Despite everything, Hayden managed to take these experiences, which she called "lifequakers" and emerge from them stronger, no longer afraid to use her voice or show her true self. She's played the part of a misfit hero, a superstar, a survivor, a cheerleader, and an all-American fresh face. In This is Me, Hayden stars in her most heart-wrenching and unforgettable role herself. This is her story on her terms."

My Rating: 3.5/5

It's kinda hard to rate a nonfiction memoir/biography as is. I find it that much harder when the author has passed away. Hayden Panettiere was incredibly young when she passed. Her life as a child actor shaped who she became, but she was brave enough to tell her story, to share each part that made her who she was. The good, the bad and the ugly. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by the author, which always brings the biography to the next level. It reminds me that oral history is a tradition. 

Sidny

Book Review: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Title: Parable of the Sower

Author: Octavia E. Butler

Series/Standalone: Earthseed Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Pages:  345

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 1993

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"In 2024, with the world descending into madness and anarchy, one woman begins a fateful journey toward a better future.

Lauren Olamina and her family live in one of the only safe neighborhoods remaining on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Behind the walls of their defended enclave, Lauren's father, a preacher, and a handful of other citizens try to salvage what remains of a culture that has been destroyed by drugs, disease, war and chronic water shortages. While her father tries to lead people on the righteous path, Lauren struggles with hyperempathy, a condition that makes her extraordinary sensitve to the pain of others.

When fire destroys their compound, Lauren's family is killed, and she is forced out into a world that is fraught with danger. With a handful of other refugees, Lauren must make her way north to safety, along the way conceiving a revolutionary idea that may mean salvation for all mankind."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I was interested in this book as it was a book that came recommended after The Handmaid's Tale. I can see why people recommend it, it has similar narration styles, the dystopian aspects etc. That being said, this book wasn't what I expected. It spent a lot of time setting up the world, and then the end of the book felt a little rushed to me. That being said, I do plan to try the next book on audio. 

Sidny

Book Review: Only Say Good Things by Crystal Hefner

Title: Only Say Good Things

Author: Crystal Hefner

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir

Pages: 240

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 2024

Format: Audiobook

"A raw and unflinching look at the objectification and misogyny of the Playboy mansion, a woman’s stolen young adulthood and her journey to self-acceptance, and a rare look inside Hugh Hefner’s final days.

At just twenty-one years old, Crystal Harris’ life changed forever when she attended a party at the notorious Playboy mansion. Picked out of the crowd by Hugh Hefner, she became one of his infamous “girlfriends,” attending glamorous Hollywood parties and traveling the world. Yet this seemingly alluring lifestyle had a dark side. Hef controlled his girlfriends with strict rules regarding everything from their hair and makeup to their curfews, and Crystal was forced to compete with other women for her spot in the highly hierarchal system. Living at the mansion, she felt more like a fixture than a resident. 
 
She quickly rose to the top, but being Hef’s number one girlfriend came at the cost of Crystal’s identity outside her role in the Playboy universe. Her fate seemed sealed when Hef surprised her with a marriage proposal she could not imagine refusing. But as Crystal Hefner, she grew increasingly restless to understand who she truly was away from what she saw as Playboy’s toxic culture.

In ONLY SAY GOOD THINGS, Crystal offers a vulnerable and clear-eyed look at how her experience with Hugh Hefner catalyzed her transformative journey from someone who prized external validation over all else to a person who finally recognizes her true worth. This candid memoir provides a fascinating look behind the scenes at a powerful cultural icon and brand, and an equally empowering perspective on hard-won lessons about who we allow to determine our value."

My Rating: 5/5

I don't particularly like rating memoirs because I don't think that I can rate someone else's life. So I usually rate based on writing style or story telling style. This story is hard to read, and hard to hear but important. Because society has shifted its standpoint on things like Playboy and this kind of misogynistic behaviour we can see the clear shift in society where we speak about how this kind of thing isn't ok. It's not fair to the women, their families or girls and women watching it all happen. I genuinely wish all the best for the author, and I hope that she finds her peace as time gives her healing (along with ya know therapy, etc.). 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton

Title: Beyond the Wand

Author: Tom Felton

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Adult 

Pages: 288

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"They called for a break, and Gambon magicked up a cigarette from out of his beard. He and I were often to be found outside the stage door, having 'a breath of fresh air', as we referred to it. There would be painters and plasters and chippies and sparks, and among them all would be me and Dumbledore having a crafty cigarette.

From Borrower to wizard, Tom Felton's adolescence was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame saw him catapulted into the limelight aged just twelve when he landed the iconic role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films.

Speaking with candour and his own trademark humour, Tom shares his experience of growing up on screen and as part of the wizarding world for the very first time. He tells all about his big break, what filming was really like and the lasting friendships he made during ten years as part of the franchise, as well as the highs and lows of fame and the reality of navigating adult life after filming finished.

Prepare to meet a real-life wizard."

My Rating: 4/5

I don't rate nonfiction stories based on what they contain as I don't feel right stating that I didn't enjoy hearing about someone's life experience, or facts of history, etc. I do always rate them based on the writing style and this one was enjoyable. I think listening to the audiobook was the way to go for me as the author reads it himself and it helps you understand parts of his humour. I enjoyed listening to it. Would recommend it if you are interested. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Title: The Angel Experiment
Author: James Patterson
Series/Standalone: Maximum Ride Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Pages: 413
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Year Published: 2005
Format: Audiobook

"Six unforgettable kids- with no families, no homes- are running for their lives. Max Ride and her best friends have the ability to fly. And that's just the beginning of their amazing powers. But they don't know where they come from, who's hunting them, why they are different from all other humans... and if they're meant to save mankind- or destroy it."

My Rating: 3.25/5

I started to read this series when I was probably in 9th grade. So needless to say to finish the series I had to start a total reread. So this was the beginning. I chose to do the audiobook route this time and I was surprised that it was only 4 hours long. It was enjoyable overall, just read a little young for me at some points. Not that that is surprising considering I am 24. The only real problem I had with the audiobooks were the weird music and sound effect aspects. The story seemed to hold up pretty well surprisingly and I look forward to continuing on. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny