Jennette McCurdy Launches Bold New Novel Half His Age

On January 20, 2026, the literary world buzzed with excitement as Jennette McCurdy, the actress and author behind the bestselling memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died, stepped into the spotlight once again—this time to discuss her highly anticipated first novel, Half His Age. The announcement, covered by ABC News and highlighted in a Literary Hub roundup of new releases, marks a significant milestone in McCurdy’s evolving career, shifting from the raw confessional tone of memoir to the bold territory of fiction.

McCurdy’s debut novel arrives on the heels of her memoir’s runaway success. I'm Glad My Mom Died resonated deeply with readers for its unflinching honesty and dark humor, catapulting McCurdy into literary stardom and establishing her as a voice unafraid to tackle difficult subjects. Now, with Half His Age, she changes gears, offering a story described by critics as both deeply felt and wickedly funny.

According to Literary Hub, McCurdy’s new book stands out among a crowded field of January releases, which also includes Julian Barnes’s 28th book—a blend of memoir and fiction exploring mortality and memory—and Jeanette Winterson’s latest, a whirling mix of memoir, philosophy, and criticism. Yet it is McCurdy’s transition from memoirist to novelist that has captured the imagination of readers and critics alike. As Aria Aber, quoted by Literary Hub, puts it, “A deeply felt and humorous tale about the dangers of youth and desire—this novel is uncomfortable, unpredictable, and unputdownable.”

The anticipation for Half His Age was already high, but McCurdy’s recent discussion of the novel has only fueled the fervor. On January 20, 2026, she opened up about the book’s themes and her writing process in a televised interview, reflecting on the transition from sharing her own life story to crafting fictional characters. The move, she explained, was both liberating and challenging. “Writing memoir was about excavating my own truth,” McCurdy told ABC News. “With the novel, I got to play with invention, but I still wanted to keep that emotional honesty.”

That emotional honesty appears to be a hallmark of Half His Age. Early reviews suggest that, much like her memoir, McCurdy’s fiction does not shy away from uncomfortable truths. Instead, the novel leans into the messiness of youth, desire, and the consequences of crossing boundaries. The story’s humor is said to be laced with discomfort—a familiar signature for readers of McCurdy’s earlier work. According to Aria Aber’s review, the novel is “unpredictable, and unputdownable,” signaling a narrative that refuses to play it safe.

The buzz around McCurdy’s novel is part of a broader literary moment. As Literary Hub notes, January 2026 has seen a remarkable cluster of new releases from major writers. Julian Barnes returns with Departure(s), a meditation on love and mortality, while Jeanette Winterson’s One Aladdin Two Lamps blends memoir with philosophy and literary criticism. The week’s slate also features works by Nina McConigley, Elizabeth Vartkessian, and Chuck Klosterman, among others, making it a banner season for book lovers.

Yet, even among such luminaries, McCurdy’s novel stands out for the unique path she has taken to fiction. Her journey from child star on Nickelodeon’s iCarly to bestselling memoirist and now novelist is as unconventional as it is compelling. The transition has not been without its challenges. As McCurdy shared in her ABC News interview, “Fiction lets you hide behind your characters, but you can’t hide from the feelings that come up while you write. That’s where the real work happens.”

Readers and critics have responded warmly to McCurdy’s willingness to take risks. The Literary Hub article notes that Half His Age is “one of the most coveted and anticipated” releases of the week, a testament to the strong following McCurdy has built since her memoir’s publication. The novel’s blend of humor and discomfort seems to be striking a chord, promising a reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Of course, McCurdy is not alone in reinventing herself through writing. The January 20 Literary Hub roundup is a showcase of authors exploring new genres and forms. Julian Barnes, already a master of the novel, turns to memoir; Jeanette Winterson, known for her inventive fiction, dives into literary criticism and philosophy. This spirit of experimentation is echoed in McCurdy’s own leap from memoir to fiction—a move that, if early reviews are any indication, is paying off.

For McCurdy, the process of writing Half His Age was as much about personal growth as it was about storytelling. She told ABC News, “I wanted to write something that would challenge me, that would make me uncomfortable in the best way. That’s how you know you’re onto something real.” The result, according to critics, is a novel that does exactly that—pushing boundaries, provoking questions, and refusing to settle for easy answers.

As readers pick up Half His Age this week, they join a conversation that extends beyond the page. The novel’s exploration of youth and desire, its willingness to dwell in discomfort, and its sharp, unpredictable humor are all part of a larger cultural moment—one in which authors are increasingly willing to blur the lines between genres, to take risks, and to trust their readers to follow them into uncharted territory.

With Half His Age, Jennette McCurdy has proven herself not just as a memoirist but as a novelist of rare courage and wit. In a season packed with literary heavyweights, her novel is making waves for all the right reasons—reminding us that sometimes, the most compelling stories are the ones that dare to make us uncomfortable.

As the literary world celebrates this week’s new releases, McCurdy’s journey from child star to bestselling author to debut novelist stands as a testament to the power of reinvention—and to the enduring appeal of stories that refuse to play by the rules.