Ratings5
Average rating4.2
A wonderfully candid memoir from one of the most recognizable faces of a generation, actor, writer, Youtuber, and television superstar, Josh Peck. In his warm and inspiring book, Josh reflects on the many stumbles and silver linings of his life and traces a zigzagging path to redemption. Written with such impressive detail and aching honesty, Happy People are Annoying is full of surprising life lessons for anyone seeking to accept their past and make peace with the complicated face in the mirror. Josh Peck rose to near-instant fame when he starred for four seasons as the comedic center of Nickelodeon’s hit show Drake & Josh. However, while he tried to maintain his role as the funniest, happiest kid in every room, Josh struggled alone with the kind of rising anger and plummeting confidence that quietly took over his life. For the first time, Josh reflects on his late teens and early twenties. Raised by a single mother, and coming of age under a spotlight that could be both invigorating and cruel, Josh filled the cratering hole in his self-worth with copious amounts of food, television, drugs, and all of the other trappings of young stardom. Until he realized the only person standing in his way...was himself. Today, with a string of lead roles on hit television shows and movies, and one of the most enviable and dedicated fanbases on the internet, Josh Peck is more than happy, he’s finally, enthusiastically content. Happy People are Annoying is the culmination of years of learning, growing, and finding bright spots in the scary parts of life. Written with the kind of humor, strength of character, and unwavering self-awareness only someone who has mastered their ego can muster, this memoir reminds us of the life-changing freedom on the other side of acceptance.
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I was curious about reading into Josh Peck's personal life through his memoir and what I got out of it was pretty unexpected. I was mostly expecting a look into his career with some funny anecdotes... a mostly positive and sunny affair. Although he does go through his career project after project, it's instead quite the heavy, personal read into the many inner demons and dark moments Peck has faced throughout his life from his issues of drugs, self doubt, overconfidence, overeating, and the lack of having a father figure. It's a very well written reflection on his past and how he has confronted it to become ultimately a better person. My only complaint was that I was completely uninterested in his rise to fame through social media and marketing (which others may find interesting). I completely understand why he needed to write about it but thank goodness that section was short. So overall this was a solid read that's surprisingly dark and heavy, similar to that of Jonathan Van Ness' excellent memoir. Ultimately he tries his best to share some advice on being happy and if you're curious into his career or his personal life, I'd recommend it.