You Look Like That Girl

As an adolescent, Lisa Jakub starred in huge Hollywood movies like Mrs. Doubtfire and Independence Day. And then in her early 20s, she gave it up and moved to Virginia with her now-husband. Her memoir traces her path through show business, beginning with her parents being approached at a farmer's market in Canada by a talent scout when she was just four years old, through auditions and being kicked out of high school due to her long absences to make movies, and her gradual realization that while she loved being on set and bonding with her coworkers, she didn't actually love acting or want to do it anymore. I'd read a blog Jakub maintained quite some time ago and was pleasantly surprised to find that she was a talented writer, and that impression held true for this book as well. Her words are humorous, honest, and compelling, and her retirement at 22 makes a lot of sense after the way she recounts her experiences in her career. But if you're looking for something dishy, this might not be for you. She barely touches on the filming of her most prominent movies, recounting little about Robin Williams and nothing at all about Will Smith. It's not super substantial, but I found it a quick and enjoyable read.