Almost Grown by Jesse Malin, Debra Devi, Akashic Books, Ltd., $28.95, 272 pages
Jesse Malin’s Almost Grown crackles with the energy of a life lived at full volume. With a voice that feels both streetwise and deeply reflective, Malin traces his path from a chaotic Queens childhood to the hard-won fulfillment of artistic dreams. What makes this memoir stand out is its emotional honesty—he doesn’t sand down the rough edges, instead letting every misstep and triumph hum with authenticity. The backdrop of his recent health struggles adds a powerful layer of resilience, transforming the book into more than a music memoir. It’s a testament to endurance, creativity, and the stubborn, beautiful refusal to give up.
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‘Til Death Do We Parent by Jess Hilarious, Atria/Black Privilege Publishing, $28.00, 224 pages
In ’Til Death Do We Parent, Jess Hilarious delivers a memoir that’s as sharp as her comedy and as heartfelt as her journey. With humor as her compass, she navigates the often messy terrain of coparenting, offering both laughter and insight in equal measure. Jess’s storytelling feels candid and conversational, pulling readers into her world without pretense. Beneath the wit lies a thoughtful exploration of growth, compromise, and redefining what family looks like. It’s an empowering read for anyone balancing love, responsibility, and self-respect—proof that even life’s toughest dynamics can be reshaped with honesty and a well-timed punchline.
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Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond by Eve Plumb, Citadel, $ 30.00, 272 pages
Happiness Included is a warm, engaging stroll through decades of television history, guided by Eve Plumb’s thoughtful and refreshingly grounded voice. Best known as Jan Brady, Plumb moves beyond the iconic role to reveal a career rich with reinvention and artistic exploration. The memoir shines in its behind-the-scenes glimpses, offering both nostalgia and a new perspective on classic television moments. Yet it’s her personal reflections—on growing up in the spotlight and carving out a multifaceted life—that give the book its heart. With charm and candor, Plumb reminds readers that identity is never a single role, but a lifetime of evolving performances.
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Levitating the Pentagon and Other Uplifting Stories by Nancy Kurshan, Three Rooms Press, $ 22.00, 350 pages
Nancy Kurshan’s Levitating the Pentagon and Other Uplifting Stories reads like a living archive of resistance, alive with urgency and conviction. Spanning decades of activism, her memoir offers an intimate perspective on pivotal moments in American social movements. Kurshan’s storytelling is both deeply personal and historically rich, capturing not only the events themselves but the emotional and ideological currents beneath them. What elevates the book is its reflective honesty—she examines both victories and tensions within the movements she helped shape. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking read that bridges past and present, reminding us that change is a collective, ongoing act.
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Brandy’s Phases is a moving and deeply personal memoir that offers far more than celebrity stories. With honesty and grace, Brandy reflects on her rise from singing in Mississippi churches to becoming a global star, while also revealing the emotional cost of fame. Fans will love the behind-the-scenes moments involving iconic music, television, and legends like Whitney Houston, but the heart of the book lies in Brandy’s vulnerability. She writes candidly about pressure, self-doubt, and the long road to healing. Phases is inspiring, heartfelt, and empowering, showing the strength it takes to reclaim your voice and define yourself on your own terms.
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