Open Book audiobook

Easily one of the best memoirs I've read, or had read to me. Between Jessica narrating her personal thoughts and the songs included in the tracks, it felt like I was having drinks with an old friend and catching up. Her vulnerability was easily showcased, yet Simpson had no issue making a few laughs at her own expense, which is always a win in my book. Even if you're not a fan of the pop star version of Jessica Simpson, Open Book is a memoir that is well worth your time, and I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.

Absolutely one of the best celebrity memoirs I have ever read. Every chance I had over the past two days I've spent devouring this book.Excuse me while I try to find old episodes of Newlyweds to stream and deface any pictures I can find of John Mayer...

4 stars “Sometimes we are all so afraid to be honest with ourselves because we know that honesty will lead to somewhere.” I wrote this ten years ago. “Can fear walk us to something better?” I enjoyed this book so much. After reading, I feel like there is so much more to Jessica Simpson than meets the eye. With Jessica only being a few years older than me, I watched her rise to fame (I was actually a big fan of her sister when I was in high school) and fondly remember listening to her music in middle-school and watching ‘The Newlyweds’ (Nick and I share a hometown of Cincinnati so I always thought that was cool). Jessica’s always been shown as a dumb blonde, and she has her blonde moments, but she’s much more smart and savvy than she’s portrayed. This memoir was narrated by Jessica herself and I can’t recommend listening to it enough. It felt like she was right there with you, telling you her story. She’s been through a lot and there were some hard to read moments and a ton of growth and revelations. This was a great tell all type of story about Jessica’s life and it was empowering and highly entertaining.

5 stars!Honest and endearing. Painful and powerful. Heartbreaking and hopeful.This is the story of Jessica Simpson - singer, reality tv star, fashion mogul, wife and mother. I have always really liked her but never followed her reality tv career, although I followed her through all the headlines she made throughout the years. This was an extremely honest and vulnerable look into her life - past and present. She welcomed us into her heart, shared her innermost thoughts, her daily journal entries and let us explore the experiences she faced alongside with her.This was excellent! I inhaled each chapter in one quick swoop, seeming to always find something to relate to or laugh at or feel strongly for. I admire Jessica Simpson for sharing this intimate look into her life. I truly enjoyed reading this and am an even bigger fan of her than I was before.Thank you to my lovely local library for the loan of the physical copy!

Audiobook....library overdrive...read by JessicaI knew next to nothing about Jessica Simpson, ( singer, actress, fashion designer, author), ....but several people mentioned her book was good. I decided to bite.A few basic highlights:.... she grew up in a church going family and performed in church choirs......born in July, 1980....at the age of 16, she signed a debut album, ‘Sweet Kisses’, with Columbia records, in 1997. It sold 2 million copies in United States. ....More albums....more commercial success. In conversational styling, we continue to learn about Jessica’s family - her parents - and her sister, Ashlee, her marriage to Nick Lachey, ( I had to look him up, too) > a popular lead singer of the multi platinumboyband 98 Degrees.... also a song writer, producer, and television personality. We learn of the long courtship, between Jessica & Nick ( TWO pop stars). They were married for four years between 2002 & 2006.At present, Jessica is married to Eric Johnson. They married in 2014.Eric has an impressive background too. Yale graduate- hot shot football player...both in college and later professionally - played for the SF 49ers.Jessica and Eric have 3 kids. Jessica sincerely sounds happy, thankful, and at peace with who she is today...(that was not always the case), She loves her more quiet off-stage life with Eric and their children. Jessica has no desire to be in the limelight on stage singing, today.She did share with us though, that she always thought she would be a writer. She began daily journal writing at the age of fifteen when her very beloved cousin died. The title, “Open Book”....is fitting. It seemed that Jessica’s primary purpose in writing it was to share ‘openly’.....hiding nothing....wanting to perhaps clear the air - of mockery images - that people had of her that just wasn’t so. ( not today anyway). She certainly didn’t ever - and still doesn’t want to be known as a sex symbol ( then judged if she gained weight). Many people had opinions about Jessica — [judging, evaluating, criticizing, and making assumptions], ... in the way people do to most celebrities from afar. Jessica tried to please everyone. She wanted to look good, be liked, perform well, and basically do everything perfectly for her parents, church community, managers, fans, friends, and boy crushes. It was as if she was always ‘on’....in character....but hadn’t a clue of what she really wanted - or who she was. Growing up in the limelight- before being clear of oneself - often leaves a hole in ones soul...( as we’ve learned from other celebrities too). It also seemed to me, that Jessica wanted to tell her story — the trials and tribulations of her life - ( she had more than her fair share), so that she could put to rest being thought of as a sex symbol......... or aloof, or too- all- self absorbed....... put to rest that she was a bimbo....and.....share with the world ( young women interested in stardom), the many things that can go wrong. Jessica’s memoir works as a insightful contribution to other starlet wannabes, as general personal interest, and as a healing venue for herself. Other than finding the sound of Jessica’s high pitch voice a little irritating on my ears at times ..... I warmed to her honestly, her humanity, her spirituality, her playful charms, and her gratitude. Surprisingly touching and enjoyable.

A short digression: I once saw 98° before they were famous. Small town free concert, ha! Anyway, it’s so hard not to like Jessica Simpson. In this candid memoir, she shares her life story thus far including details of her very public, high-profile relationships. Juicy? Yes. But also brutal. Her endearing nature makes me believe her side. I had no idea she has battled addiction. This is a solid and emotional celebrity memoir.

Jessica SimpsonJessica Simpson is an American pop star, actress, fashion designer, and author. Jessica's father was a Baptist minister, and young Jessica grew up attending nightly services, going to church camps, attending bible schools, and doing mission work with youth groups. Young Jessica SimpsonIn 1993, after the attendees at a church camp sang hymns, the pastor announced 'There's somebody here who's going to use their voice to change the world. They will use their voice to minister to others.' Thirteen-year-old Jessica was sure he meant her. The singer started her career with gospel albums, and went on to become a mainstream star. It wasn't an easy journey though, and Jessica tells her story in 'Open Book.'Jessica grew up in Texas, with her parents Joe and Tina, and a loving extended family nearby.Joe and Tina SimpsonAs a child, Jessica sometimes stayed at the home of family friends, and an older girl in the house molested her for years. Jessica was afraid to tell her parents, and when she did, they said nothing - though her visits to that family stopped. Unfortunately, the abuse haunted Jessica, and when she confided in a fellow cheerleader in middle school, the girl spread rumors and the bully machine went into high gear, calling Jessica a lesbian and making her life miserable. Jessica Simpson was a cheerleader in middle schoolPerhaps serendipitously, Jessica's music career began soon afterwards, and she was often in Nashville with her parents, recording songs for her first gospel album.Jessica Simpson's music career began when she was a teenagerJessica's father gave up his ministry to become her manager, and Jessica' mother accompanied her to concerts and organized her wardrobe. It was during Jessica's teen years - when her career was gearing up - that the singer's substance abuse started, with Tylenol PM (and then Ambien) to help her relax and sleep. Jessica Simpson with her parents, Joe and TinaOnce Jessica went mainstream with her music, her career skyrocketed. The young singer became the breadwinner of the family, a huge responsibility that weighed heavily on her shoulders.Jessica was (and is) a devout Christian, and had little experience with men. Thus 18-year-old Jessica was bowled over when she met handsome, 25-year-old singer Nick Lachey, a meeting that was essentially love at first sight for both of them. Nick LacheyJessica Simpson and Nick LacheyJessica told Nick AND the media that she meant to remain a virgin until she married, and this was fodder for talk shows and interviews for years. (Imagine the whole country discussing your self life! Regrettably, this was a self-inflicted wound.)Jessica was 22 when she wed Nick, and the couple became the stars of a reality show called 'Newlyweds.' Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey's weddingThe constant presence of film crews and the public scrutiny (and ribbing) put pressure on the marriage, and the couple started to grow apart. Moreover, Jessica filmed 'The Dukes of Hazzard' during this period, and had an 'emotional affair' with her costar Johnny Knoxville. Johnny KnoxvilleJessica Simpson and Johnny KnoxvilleNick was also rumored to be unfaithful, and the couple divorced soon afterwards. Jessica is very open about her relationship with Nick, and the mistakes they both made. Jessica's drinking and use of prescribed medication ramped up during this period, and became a decades-long coping mechanism.Jessica wore racy shorts as Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard, and this escalated her status as a sex symbol. Jessica Simpson as Daisy DukeAs often happens with female stars, the public became obsessed with Jessica's weight and appearance. The scrutiny caused Jessica much suffering, particularly after she gained a few pounds and appeared in 'mom jeans' at a chili cookoff in 2009. Jessica Simpson in 'mom jeans'The subsequent public hazing went on for over a decade, and though Jessica tried to shake it off - and love herself at any weight - she admits she prefers her public image when she's thin.After Jessica split from Nick, she had a long relationship with football player Tony Romo.....Tony RomoJessica Simpson and Tony Romo.....and then dated musician John Mayer.John MayerJessica Simpson and John MayerBoth men were controlling and difficult, but Jessica felt compelled to please them, and maybe even 'save them' (in the Christian sense). Mayer was especially diabolical, repeatedly breaking up with Jessica to inspire his songwriting. In 2010, after Jessica and Mayer split for good, the musician gave an explosive interview to Playboy, calling Jessica 'sexual napalm.' This embarrassed Jessica, and heightened Mayer's reputation as a bad boy.It was during this time that Jessica's father Joe announced he was divorcing his wife Tina. Joe told Jessica that her decision to divorce Nick Lachey years before (unusual for a devout Baptist) emboldened him to take this step. Joe and Tina Simpson's divorce was finalized in 2013Jessica hints that her dad later had a boyfriend, but this remains unconfirmed (as far as I know). In any case, Joe and Tina's divorce split the family, and Jessica fired Joe as her manager. The singer remained close to her mother, and still sees her father, but irreparable damage was done.In the meantime, Jessica's fashion company, which launched in 2005, took off. The business, run largely by Jessica and her mother, soon became worth over a billion dollars. Jessica Simpson's fashion company took offJessica Simpson and her mother Tina head the Simpson fashion businessThe success of Jessica's fashion line is due to the fact that it carries a diverse array of goods, is reasonably priced, and caters to women of all sizes. Jessica wants all females to have access to comfortable clothing that looks good. Jessica's singing career waned when she became a fashion mogul, though she remains active in the music business.Jessica models for her fashion lineIn 2010, after her failed relationships with Nick Lachey, Tony Romo, and John Mayer, Jessica met her future husband, former football player Eric Johnson. Eric JohnsonJessica Simpson and Eric JohnsonJessica writes about her romance with Eric, their 'Great Expectations' themed wedding, and the birth of their children - who were almost miracles since Jessica had one of her fallopian tubes removed when she was young. Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson's weddingJessica Simpson and Eric Johnson with their childrenJessica is candid about her excessive drinking during this time, which would begin before breakfast. The crisis point came when Jessica was too drunk to attend her own Halloween party, a gala affair for children, neighbors, relatives, and friends. It was then that Jessica (and Eric) vowed to stop drinking, and Jessica entered therapy and got help. There's entertaining name-dropping in the book, and Jessica describes meeting Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling as adolescents, when they all tried out for the Mickey Mouse Club.Jessica Simpson met budding young stars when she tried out for the Mickey Mouse ClubJessica is good friends with Willie Nelson, got encouragement from Celine Dion, got moral support from Dolly Parton, and was compared to Beyoncé, who was a teenage celebrity at the time. Jessica Simpson and Willie NelsonCeline DionDolly PartonYoung BeyoncéJessica also alludes to secret dates with Hollywood celebrities, but doesn't mention their names. To hide from the public, these assignations involved back doors, rented cars, hiding in the rear seat, and other measures to remain under the radar.There's much more in the book, about the tragic death of Jessica's teenage cousin and best friend Sarah; Jessica's talented sister Ashlee; Jessica's singing gigs and albums; Jessica's USO trips to entertain the troops; Jessica's ongoing Christian faith; Jessica's current happiness with her husband and children; Jessica's tummy tuck after childbirth; the many people who assisted Jessica's career; and so on.Jessica Simpson with her sister AshleeJessica Simpson having fun with her familyJessica is very open in the narrative, relating numerous anecdotes about her life, warts and all. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, and when Jessica talks about difficult times you can hear the tears and emotion in her voice. The audiobook also has some of Jessica's songs at the end, which is a nice bonus. One of Jessica's aims in this book is to empathize with people who are tortured by bullies; criticized for their appearance; in unhappy relationships; or otherwise suffering. She feels their pain, and uses herself as an example of someone who learned to cope....someone who gained strength through adversity.This is a good book, highly recommended to fans of celebrity memoirs. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

*****FIVE STARS*****

I’m honestly floored, what a stellar memoir. I'm embarrassed to say that I thought I had Jessica Simpson pegged in the context of 2000s pop star. I was a bit too young to really follow her life in the moment, but I grew up knowing her as the hot blonde from The Dukes of Hazzard, and definitely didn't think about her deeper than that. This really changed my opinion. I cried more than once? I laughed a lot? I felt all of the feelings? I also felt empathy on the deepest level for her situation in pop's culture, and left with a much better appreciation for her as a person and trailblazer for our more modern version of the female icon. There are no other words for it: it's a 5 star.(Also, screw John Mayer.)Blog | Instagram

I’ve been a Jessica Simpson fan since I saw her very first video in 2009, “ I Wanna Love You Forever.” She came out like a ray of sunshine amongst a bed of sunflowers , no auto-tune necessary, in a regular everyday outfit not having to bare it all, and easily one of the most beautiful girls I’ve seen in my lifetime. While she belted out her beautiful lyrics, I fell in love with everything that she stood for. A southern; classy girl who didn’t have to be a size zero to be her own success story. “ I wanna be an example to girls all over the world...That you don’t have to compromise your values to be successful.”I admire her just as much, if not so much MORE after reading this book and discovering that she is just as flawed as the rest of us— celebrities are human too. “ I leaned forward and kissed my own reflection.” - Jessica. I have never done this, but maybe I should. “ Right now, with this book I want the freedom to say, well there are no more secrets. I’ve grown into myself and come to a place where I want to be honest about my flaws.” I’m getting there too Jessica, slowly but surely.This book truly bares it all—no bars held—Jessica will go from discussing her clothing line that welcomes all shapes and sizes, to discovering that she was an alcoholic and therefore unwell in her current mindset, to being incredibly proud of the family that she has built today and back again to her —-at times miserable, but mostly informative dating life. This book was so incredibly relatable that sometimes it hurt. I sympathized with so much she had gone through. “I am not okay.” She proclaims and means it whole- heartedly. I can’t help but be proud of her.When discussing her Jessica Simpson clothing line , she expresses “ Hello, I have had EVERY size in my closet, so I BETTER be inclusive.” This hit home hard for me, I’ve been a size 2 and I’ve been a size 12, I’m immunocompromised so steroids that I have no choice but to take can blow me up like a blimp and then deflate me back down a week, a month, a year later. I have an array of sizes in my closet, but at least I have something for any one of my friends to borrow at any given moment. To me, size doesn’t and never will matter, I get you Jessica. Thank you for being such a fantastic role model. “My anxiety took over, I didn’t know what to do with all of that energy. I was like a lot of women who get their wish— I loved being a Mom, I just didn’t love being me. To avoid feeling I numbed myself with alcohol.” “ I know, I know, I told my friends...I just need another one.” How many of us have drank away our sorrows, our bad days, used a drink try to forget or cope? I’m certainly guilty.“...Even then, I knew it was getting out of hand, but I put it on the back-burner. I told myself eventually you’ll get it together. There was always a later...” Sadly, I reason this very same thing to myself so many times a day. “... I remind myself that life is really about one moment at a time— to not think about two years from now, But to think about me right now.” Thank you Jessica, I needed that.Jessica also discusses how far paying even one person a day a small compliment can go. By just telling someone that her eyes were pretty it changed how she saw herself. I, too, strive to do this as often as possible. I’ve never been one of those catty girls that is jealous of another— I will be the first person to tell my significant other that, “Wow, she’s beautiful.” Ask any of my exes, they will agree. Beauty is beauty. I won’t tell you everything about this book but in it she discusses her marriage and divorce with Nick Lachey , dating and not dating other well known celebs, the constant battle with the forced image of being an appropriate weight that she refers to as being “weightless”, her love of purses, her dog Daisy Mae, bankruptcy, having a stutter, barely making it out of a car accident, sexual abuse, getting signed to her first label, the power of prayer, her acting debut in the show “Newlyweds” exhibiting her marriage and the movie “ The Dukes of Hazard”, about volunteering to visit those serving in the military, how it felt to have a number one video and number one movie the very same week, and so much more.I cannot recommend this book enough. Also, if you pick up the audio version there are exclusive songs included!5 stars.