You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir
What it's about
Christina Applegate grew up on sets and stages, working from childhood partly out of financial necessity and partly to escape a turbulent home in the Laurel Canyon scene of the 1970s and '80s. She became a star on Married… with Children and in films. Then, in 2021, a multiple sclerosis diagnosis confined her to bed, and she began to look back at her life.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026 and has spent 30 weeks on the lists. It's funny, raw and honest about illness, fame and resilience.
You'll love it if you liked
This Is Me: A Reckoning, I'm Glad My Mom Died or Famesick: A Memoir
Good to know
It's candid about chronic illness, addiction and family. Applegate's humor runs throughout.
Quick answers
Is You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026 and has spent 30 weeks on the lists. It ranks #447 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 79.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir about?
Christina Applegate grew up on sets and stages, working from childhood partly out of financial necessity and partly to escape a turbulent home in the Laurel Canyon scene of the 1970s and '80s. She became a star on Married… with Children and in films. Then, in 2021, a multiple sclerosis diagnosis confined her to bed, and she began to look back at her life.
How long does it take to read You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir?
About 7 hours (296 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir?
If you liked it, try This Is Me: A Reckoning by Hayden Panettiere, I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy or Famesick: A Memoir by Lena Dunham.
By the numbers
- Readers90 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller40 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz58 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
#1 New York Times bestseller (1 week at #1).
Where it ranks
- #87 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #81 of the 481 new books we rank
- #447 of the 2,819 books we rank
Bestseller
- #1 New York Times bestseller (1 week at #1)
- 30 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2026
Reads as
True story
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