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You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir
Win a free print copy of this book!
9 days and 06:13:07
30 copies available
U.S. only
Beloved star and Emmy-winning actress Christina Applegate's raw and darkly funny memoir illuminates the life of a childhood star, turned iconic comedic actress, turned tenacious example of how to find the beauty in our messy lives.
Christina Applegate came of age on sets and stages, expected to be on time, with lines learned, ready for lights-camera-action. Performing began as a financial necessity and became an emotional escape from a tumultuous home life in the infamous Laurel Canyon scene of the 1970s and 80s. She first gained stardom as an audience favorite playing Kelly Bundy in the sitcom Married...with Children and went on to captivate a vast fandom during her five-decade long career.
In You with the Sad Eyes, Applegate will unveil the full story of her years in the public eye, and the painful moments the public didn't see. She writes about gravitating to the grunge that defined the 90s and finding belonging in the legendary scene at The Viper Room; sparkling on set with fellow comedy icons in the soon to be canonized franchise Anchorman; sharing her love of dance in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity; and returning to the Emmy stage to a standing ovation in 2024 after her diagnosis of MS. She’ll dive into the darker moments underpinning her outward her relationship with her mother who fought addiction and won, even in the wake of her father’s abandonment; the self-doubt and body dysmorphia that have dogged her from a young age; and the abuse and depression that eroded her health. Her path is ever lit though, by lifelong friends, chosen family, and her experience as a mother. By working through her legacy on the page, Applegate invites readers to take her hand and hear a story not even those closest to her know fully.
You with the Sad Eyes boldly presents a formidable and iconoclastic woman who has had to let go of her acting career, of her ability to dance, of her sense of physical power, but has always fought to find a new and even more fulfilling way of being. The pain will be matched by the joy, the losses mitigated by the extraordinary, the weight of life lifted by Applegate's signature comedic genius.
In her own words, “I truly believe that books can make people feel less alone. That's why I'm doing this. You with the Sad Eyes won't be some big violin scratching for my life. But it will be real. It will be filled with the ups and downs, the humor and grief of life.
So here I am.
Real me.
Lots to say.”
Christina Applegate came of age on sets and stages, expected to be on time, with lines learned, ready for lights-camera-action. Performing began as a financial necessity and became an emotional escape from a tumultuous home life in the infamous Laurel Canyon scene of the 1970s and 80s. She first gained stardom as an audience favorite playing Kelly Bundy in the sitcom Married...with Children and went on to captivate a vast fandom during her five-decade long career.
In You with the Sad Eyes, Applegate will unveil the full story of her years in the public eye, and the painful moments the public didn't see. She writes about gravitating to the grunge that defined the 90s and finding belonging in the legendary scene at The Viper Room; sparkling on set with fellow comedy icons in the soon to be canonized franchise Anchorman; sharing her love of dance in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity; and returning to the Emmy stage to a standing ovation in 2024 after her diagnosis of MS. She’ll dive into the darker moments underpinning her outward her relationship with her mother who fought addiction and won, even in the wake of her father’s abandonment; the self-doubt and body dysmorphia that have dogged her from a young age; and the abuse and depression that eroded her health. Her path is ever lit though, by lifelong friends, chosen family, and her experience as a mother. By working through her legacy on the page, Applegate invites readers to take her hand and hear a story not even those closest to her know fully.
You with the Sad Eyes boldly presents a formidable and iconoclastic woman who has had to let go of her acting career, of her ability to dance, of her sense of physical power, but has always fought to find a new and even more fulfilling way of being. The pain will be matched by the joy, the losses mitigated by the extraordinary, the weight of life lifted by Applegate's signature comedic genius.
In her own words, “I truly believe that books can make people feel less alone. That's why I'm doing this. You with the Sad Eyes won't be some big violin scratching for my life. But it will be real. It will be filled with the ups and downs, the humor and grief of life.
So here I am.
Real me.
Lots to say.”
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
1597 people are currently reading
36400 people want to read
About the author
Christina Applegate
7 books98 followersChristina Applegate is an actress most known for her award-wining sitcom roles in Married... with Children (1987–1997) and Jesse (1998–2000), along with dozens of film roles. On 14 November 2022, she received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
March 3, 2026
My favorite memoir I’ve ever read. (And I’ve read a lot)
I was crying before I got through the prologue and read it cover to cover in one sitting.
I don’t care who you are or if you’re even a fan of Christina’s, everyone should read this book.
I was crying before I got through the prologue and read it cover to cover in one sitting.
I don’t care who you are or if you’re even a fan of Christina’s, everyone should read this book.
March 3, 2026
Christina Applegate's memoir really goes to show that just because you see someone with success, fame, money, it does not mean their life is in any way easy. She has led a truly traumatic life from start to current times, but with moments of happiness sprinkled in. This book will make you incredibly sad, but listening to the audio and hearing her tell her story in her own voice was empowering and magical, and I'm grateful she decided to share her story with the world.
March 6, 2026
Christina Applegate’s recent memoir You With the Sad Eyes is out and I really enjoyed it. I loved watching Married With Children and especially loved her Netflix series Dead to Me that I watched it several times. This is raw, emotional and now living with MS - it’s “real life” as she’s living it. I admire her honesty and bravery.
March 4, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
I’ve always loved Christina Applegate as an actress, but after reading her memoir, I admire her on a completely different level.
Her storytelling is raw, honest, and surprisingly funny in places you wouldn’t expect. Listening to her narrate the audiobook made it even more personal, it felt like she was sitting across from me just talking about her life. There’s something incredibly powerful about hearing her share, in her own voice, the highs of her career and the heaviness of her upbringing, relationships, and her battle with breast cancer and MS.
I was deeply moved by what she endured behind the scenes. The vulnerability she shows about her childhood, her struggles with self-worth, and the physical and emotional toll of her diagnosis made me respect her resilience even more. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but she also doesn’t lose her wit.
After finishing this, I immediately wanted to revisit some of her work, especially Dead to Me and Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, seeing them now with a fuller understanding of the woman behind those performances.
All in all, this memoir felt real, unfiltered, and brave. I’m so glad she chose to tell her story in her own words. (Audio)
I’ve always loved Christina Applegate as an actress, but after reading her memoir, I admire her on a completely different level.
Her storytelling is raw, honest, and surprisingly funny in places you wouldn’t expect. Listening to her narrate the audiobook made it even more personal, it felt like she was sitting across from me just talking about her life. There’s something incredibly powerful about hearing her share, in her own voice, the highs of her career and the heaviness of her upbringing, relationships, and her battle with breast cancer and MS.
I was deeply moved by what she endured behind the scenes. The vulnerability she shows about her childhood, her struggles with self-worth, and the physical and emotional toll of her diagnosis made me respect her resilience even more. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but she also doesn’t lose her wit.
After finishing this, I immediately wanted to revisit some of her work, especially Dead to Me and Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, seeing them now with a fuller understanding of the woman behind those performances.
All in all, this memoir felt real, unfiltered, and brave. I’m so glad she chose to tell her story in her own words. (Audio)
March 3, 2026
Raw, honest, and darkly funny. A memoir that lays everything bare — from childhood trauma to the challenges of MS. Christina’s honesty and vulnerability are striking, making her story deeply moving and relatable. I often wished I could reach out and give her a big hug. LOVED THIS! ❤️❤️❤️
March 7, 2026
I have fond memories of watching Married…with Children reruns with my dad all throughout the 90s. Yeah, it probably wasn’t the most appropriate television show for me to be watching as a preteen/teen, but hey, it was our bonding time, and it was the 90s—anything goes. If I remember correctly, it used to come on at 9:00, then Cheers followed, and once Night Court came on, my dad told me to get to bed! Ha! Anyways, I remember thinking that Kelly Bundy was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen! This was my first introduction to Christina Applegate, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
Applegate pours her heart and soul into her new memoir, YOU WITH THE SAD EYES. She really lets her guard down and doesn’t shy away from revealing the dark and painful moments from her past. I wasn’t prepared for how sad this memoir would be. I didn’t realize how traumatic Applegate’s childhood was, or that she was in an extremely abusive and toxic relationship early on in her career. She speaks of her upbringing and this particular relationship at length. My heart broke for her.
She also spends a lot of time talking about her acting career, giving us little tidbits on other actors, some behind-the-scenes info, and what she was dealing with personally during her time on Married…, Anchorman, Dead to Me, and Samantha Who?. It really broke my heart when she talked about her time on Dead to Me as it was her last acting job—she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while filming. Applegate discusses her MS journey as the memoir concludes.
Whether you’re a fan of Applegate’s or not, I think you’ll find this memoir quite fascinating either way. She has a powerful story to tell. The audio version is definitely the way to go as it feels like you’re having a deep heart-to-heart conversation with the actress. She occasionally gets emotional, which easily brought tears to my eyes as well. She’s a very brave and admirable woman, that’s for sure. 5/5 stars for YOU WITH THE SAD EYES. Highly recommend!
Applegate pours her heart and soul into her new memoir, YOU WITH THE SAD EYES. She really lets her guard down and doesn’t shy away from revealing the dark and painful moments from her past. I wasn’t prepared for how sad this memoir would be. I didn’t realize how traumatic Applegate’s childhood was, or that she was in an extremely abusive and toxic relationship early on in her career. She speaks of her upbringing and this particular relationship at length. My heart broke for her.
She also spends a lot of time talking about her acting career, giving us little tidbits on other actors, some behind-the-scenes info, and what she was dealing with personally during her time on Married…, Anchorman, Dead to Me, and Samantha Who?. It really broke my heart when she talked about her time on Dead to Me as it was her last acting job—she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while filming. Applegate discusses her MS journey as the memoir concludes.
Whether you’re a fan of Applegate’s or not, I think you’ll find this memoir quite fascinating either way. She has a powerful story to tell. The audio version is definitely the way to go as it feels like you’re having a deep heart-to-heart conversation with the actress. She occasionally gets emotional, which easily brought tears to my eyes as well. She’s a very brave and admirable woman, that’s for sure. 5/5 stars for YOU WITH THE SAD EYES. Highly recommend!
March 6, 2026
Oh wow, I loved every second of this audiobook! Christina is an amazing narrator and human being - wish I could be friends with her! I appreciate her humor, conversational writing style and “radical, thoughtful honesty” in detailing her life. Amazing memoir! I highly recommend the audiobook so you can hear the emotion in her reading.
March 5, 2026
A difficult read for me, a woman who both grew up in the “heroine-chic” body image horror that was the early 2000s and has MS, this was darkly relatable at times. I love her philosophy that this disease sucks I’m not going to be a poster child for hope i’m going to be honest about how much this sucks and that’s so much more empowering.
March 5, 2026
I’m not okay. The book needs to come with multiple trigger warnings. That being said I absolutely adored this book, despite the pile of tears I lost while listening to it. She pours her heart and soul
Into this book and you can’t help but get choked up when she does. Beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down. A true tribute to who the real Kiki is.
Into this book and you can’t help but get choked up when she does. Beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down. A true tribute to who the real Kiki is.
Read
March 5, 2026I don’t rate memoirs but this book is one that will hang with you. Wow. It was a heavy read. I grew up watching Kelly Bundy and have always been a fan of all of Christina Applegate’s work. I hated when Dead to Me ended. To learn everything she has gone through in her life was very eye opening and heart breaking. She is brave to tell every aspect of her life, good and bad. I hope that eventually she can return to acting.
March 4, 2026
Christina’s podcast MeSsy has helped me get through the early stages of my MS dx. And I absolutely devoured her memoir.
March 5, 2026
Wow I love this woman
March 5, 2026
Listen to this memoir. She reads. It’s perfection.
Read
March 6, 2026I don’t want to rate a person’s memoir. It’s her life story. But I’ll review it enough to say that a lot of terrible things have happened to her, from her traumatic early childhood to her inappropriately sexualized teen years, her young adulthood, and, of course, her health issues later in her life.
She has kept journals/diaries throughout her life, and she excerpts them in this book. Some of what she wrote in the book is being discussed in social media and pop culture. She’s also discussing it in interviews. I think she shows courage in being so honest about her story.
I have read she used a ghost writer, and I wish she’d been better edited. There are many narrative jumps that are hard to follow and some sections that probably should have been condensed (e.g., the genealogy of her dad).
It’s not an easy read. There’s a lot of trauma and violence. The story of a two-year relationship with an incredibly toxic, manipulative, and abusive man was especially hard to read. But you can see her resilience in so many parts of her story.
She has kept journals/diaries throughout her life, and she excerpts them in this book. Some of what she wrote in the book is being discussed in social media and pop culture. She’s also discussing it in interviews. I think she shows courage in being so honest about her story.
I have read she used a ghost writer, and I wish she’d been better edited. There are many narrative jumps that are hard to follow and some sections that probably should have been condensed (e.g., the genealogy of her dad).
It’s not an easy read. There’s a lot of trauma and violence. The story of a two-year relationship with an incredibly toxic, manipulative, and abusive man was especially hard to read. But you can see her resilience in so many parts of her story.
March 6, 2026
5 stars
There was many times throughout this story I paused. Not because it was bad, no no, because it was raw, real, honest, and vulnerable.
Christina took us on a journey through her life and all the phases. Through her life of 5 decades of relationships, the life of acting,, trauma, her family’s issues with drug abuse and abandonment.
This was unfiltered and brave. I imagine digging into the archives of the mind to recollect any of these life’s events she shares can either be triggering or therapeutic or both…
Some parts/most parts are dark but she does sprinkle in the moments of happiness when she can and even some funny parts as well.
I have a new found appreciation for Christina. If you have the chance to listen to this, I highly recommend for she narrates it and you hear it in her voice and truly feel it all with her.
There was many times throughout this story I paused. Not because it was bad, no no, because it was raw, real, honest, and vulnerable.
Christina took us on a journey through her life and all the phases. Through her life of 5 decades of relationships, the life of acting,, trauma, her family’s issues with drug abuse and abandonment.
This was unfiltered and brave. I imagine digging into the archives of the mind to recollect any of these life’s events she shares can either be triggering or therapeutic or both…
Some parts/most parts are dark but she does sprinkle in the moments of happiness when she can and even some funny parts as well.
I have a new found appreciation for Christina. If you have the chance to listen to this, I highly recommend for she narrates it and you hear it in her voice and truly feel it all with her.
March 5, 2026
Christina Applegate is a national treasure.
That said, this book talks about a lot of big trauma, most of which I didn’t know about, so it’s hard to recommend it as a leisure activity, like, “Yes, spend your free time in tears.” I haven’t experienced most of these traumas, so I was mostly OK, but it was still very sad (hence the title, I suppose).
Still, I’m glad I read it. It also had a lot of darkly funny moments, and ones where I wanted to get up and cheer for her.
I think if you like her, you’ll like the book, but just brace yourself. And then go watch “Dead to Me” because it was awesome.
That said, this book talks about a lot of big trauma, most of which I didn’t know about, so it’s hard to recommend it as a leisure activity, like, “Yes, spend your free time in tears.” I haven’t experienced most of these traumas, so I was mostly OK, but it was still very sad (hence the title, I suppose).
Still, I’m glad I read it. It also had a lot of darkly funny moments, and ones where I wanted to get up and cheer for her.
I think if you like her, you’ll like the book, but just brace yourself. And then go watch “Dead to Me” because it was awesome.
March 7, 2026
This just about broke me. What a life of pain and resilience she has led. I cried my eyes out so many times. Her sense of humor is astounding. Yet she was also so real. She digs deep and talks about all her insecurities, body image issues, and eating disorder. She goes back to her beginnings and examines her family issues and trauma with such bravery. My heart goes out to her.
March 3, 2026
I loved this memoir. I could relate to a few things she went through. Thank you Christina.
March 4, 2026
Excellent listen, especially if you followed pop culture in the 80s - 90s. I did not know of her Laurel Canyon roots, and I found that aspect of her life very interesting.
March 5, 2026
Honest and raw, which makes for a quick read or listen.
Lots of TW- sexual, emotional, physical abuse and substance abuse.
Lots of TW- sexual, emotional, physical abuse and substance abuse.
March 5, 2026
3.5 Stars
March 6, 2026
Having her read the book made it even more special. She has had quite the life. I have been a fan through the years. I love getting the chance to get to know KiiKii.
March 6, 2026
Have always loved her. I hate MS.
March 7, 2026
I’ve always been a fan but never knew her story. That woman is resilient. It was a sad look behind the curtain. I have a new respect for all she has overcome and continues to battle.
March 7, 2026
LOVED it, love her.
March 7, 2026
5.5 ⭐️ EXCELLENT on audiobook!!!
March 5, 2026
Finished in one sitting because this was such a good memoir. Deeply emotional and full of heart but it’s one of the best I’ve ever read.
March 7, 2026
Extraordinarily honest and courageous. This one will stay with me.
March 7, 2026
I cried at the Prologue on the way to the doctors office and at the very last line in the Ackowledgements while I was making dinner. I laughed and yelled in between (Chapter 7- The Orange Curtains, I yelled down the road driving alone "Christina!!! This better be the chapter where He (name redacted) dies, I STG!"). In Chapter 13- Kibitz Kismet and 3:15 gave me absolute chills. PLEASE READ THIS to understand. I first fell in love with Christina Applegate (I'd use her real name- but I want others to read the book to find out for themselves) when she played Sue Ellen Crandell in Don't tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. Still one of my favorite movies to date. Absolutely loved her in The Sweetest Thing, Bad Moms, and Dead to Me. This memoir is so beautifully written.
Just because life has sometimes been tough- and maybe at certain points it even felt impossible-that doesn't mean we have to wallow in the darkness or be stymied by our histories. I'm here to tell you that despite how dark it gets, there's alot to gain from mining one's past for meaning.
When you're at the bottom of a well, you can often see light, way up there, a distant sky of hope, but that doesn't mean you can easily climb out.
The question of intention has, in recent years, come to haunt me. Because the universe doesn't know your intention-it only knows where your attention is.
We can only make ourselves better than where we came from. When given the chance, we can only upgrade our love until it resembles something magical and beautiful. No one can really ask any more than that of anyone.
My favorite:
There is always light, always, and the deeper I dig into my past, the more good I'm unearthing, the more positives I have uncovered, things I can hold on to on the hardest days.
This book deserves a fucking Oscar!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews