iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life [Hardcover]

Jane Velez-Mitchell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2009

'This is the story of my ch . . . ch . . . changes, which took me from insanity to clarity, from egocentricity to altruism, from alcoholism to activism. These changes have marked an evolution in what I want from this life. I am what I want. What I seek to consume, possess, and achieve is a mirror that reflects my lusts and cravings, values and priorities, and moral boundaries or lack thereof. I am happy to say that what I want today is much less toxic and self-centered than what I used to want. It's taken decades of selfexamination to peel back the layers and figure out what really makes me happy. And while I'm still searching for my ultimate bliss, I know for sure it's not what I once thought it was. It's not alcohol, cigarettes, money, food, sugar, or status symbols: I've consumed all of those in massive quantities, and they've just made me miserable. Now, I want what can't be tasted, smoked, worn, seen, or counted. It's the opposite of material. As sappy as it might sound, what I want is spiritual.'

—From the Introduction

In iWant, Jane Velez-Mitchell shares her candid and engaging story of the true adventure of her life, a journey of self-discovery that is still in full throttle. As she searches for the ultimate joy and freedom that come from living a compassionate life, she challenges all of us to learn from her examples to end destructive behaviors and embrace a meaningful existence alongside one another.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Host of her own Headline News show, journalist Velez-Mitchell addresses a number of her own issues in this honest but ultimately unremarkable narrative, focusing largely on former addictions to alcohol, cigarettes, food and money: "I've consumed all of those in massive quantities, and they've just made me miserable. Now, I want... the opposite of material. As sappy as it might sound, what I want is spiritual." Velez-Mitchell then recounts a childhood with parents who taught her to shun all authority but their own; a young adulthood in which she nearly drank herself into oblivion; her decision to get sober; how she came to terms with her homosexuality; and her climb to success in the world of television news. Despite these revelations, though, Velez-Mitchell's off-putting, self-righteous tone may make readers feel they're being scolded, rather than invited to understand or sympathize.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Jane details the battle of a lifetime. For anyone who believes they can't go on, that their addiction is more powerful than they are...read this. So much strength from one little lady!"
- Nancy Grace, HLN host and leading legal commentator

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 268 pages
• Publisher: HCI (August 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075731371X
• ISBN-13: 978-0757313714
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Velez-Mitchell is a television journalist and author. She currently has her own show on HLN, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell.

She is often seen commenting on high-profile cases for CNN, TruTV, E! and other national cable TV shows. Velez-Mitchell frequently guest hosts for Nancy Grace on her Headline News show. Velez-Mitchell reported for the nationally syndicated Warner Brothers/Telepictures show Celebrity Justice.

Velez-Mitchell authored the non-fiction book, Secrets Can Be Murder: The Killer Next Door, which delves into the secrets unearthed in more than twenty of the most widely covered murder cases of recent times. The book's premise is that, by studying the secrecy and deceit embedded in these tragic scenarios, we can learn to opt for honesty in our own lives and avoid similar outcomes.

September 2009, Velez-Mitchell released her memoir on addiction recovery titled iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life. "iWant" became a New York Times Best Seller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Honest, September 7, 2009

By 

Tina "Tina" (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life (Hardcover)

I did not know who Jane Velez-Mitchell was, however, I love reading books on addiction and recovery and I Want sounded like a story that I needed to hear.

I have read quite a few books of this type and I have to say that I Want was probably one of the most honest, down to the nitty gritty books in the genre. Mitchell obviously pulls no punches as she details her progression to her addiction and makes no apologies about believing that the 12 step program saved her life.

I loved reading this book because sprinkled throughout are little nuggets of wisdom - all the while 12 step "speak" and beliefs can be found.

I also must applaud Mitchell's willingness to open herself up so much - this book is quite raw at times and it is obvious that the author firmly believes in program - and she has no qualms in putting herself out there for all to read.

I loved reading this memoir and I congratulate Mitchell and wish her only the best in her continued sobriety - one day at a time.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good writing,and keeps you interested, January 2, 2010

By 

C. Walker "Mrs.C.Walker" (Indianapolis,IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life (Hardcover)

I was quite surprised when I started reading this book....its really great....its good writing and put into parts so if you dont want to read it from start to finish you dont have to or you can refer back to certain parts easly...Its a very good read...I had a dad with this addition.and she puts some very good information together to make me see how he as her dad could never get sober.or live the sober lifestyle.I guess as they say it takes someone who nos where youve been to understand and she made me see things in a different light after all these years..my dad died of Cirrosis of the liver....hers of lung cancer....I have to say I was enveyious of her childhood......and her parents.....but as we all no who have had addicts in our lives or are addicts.....it always looks better on the outside than living in it with the elephant in the room no one talks about.This isnt a hurtful book full of blame and anger and what ifs....I like and respect that....its as if she were at the dining room table or kitchen table talking to you over a cup of coffee .....just one on one....ive not read many books like that about peoples Bios..so id say she takes the simpler and honest life to heart in the way this is written.....its not about someone on tv we see nightly....its about someone like you and me who have addicts in our lifes or are one and gratefully recovering......Im so glad I took a chance and got this book..even if you read it at the library....just set back and have a good read....theres something in it for anyone who has an addiction...or lives with someone who is...or was..and the other things she struggled with to get to no her true self ....and she is Grateful and has worked very very hard as all of us do on our daily struggles of addictions and acceptance of ourselves ,One Day at a Time..Thank you for being so honest with us Jane.....B.W.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest look at hard journey., September 29, 2009

By 

Book Worm - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life (Hardcover)

I didn't grow up around alcohol, and wasn't impacted by it unitil recently. I only knew Jane Velez-Mitchell from her TV show unitl I saw her book. This was an honest and hard look at her addictions and her recovery. I was skeptical that this would be a glossy fluff filled story with lots of name dropping. It wasn't. It was a frank and in your face story of her journey from the bottom to the top. I found this book very helpful in learning about recovery from the other point of view. I now feel I have a better understanding of why my family member acts the way they do with out the alcohol, the obsessive craving of sweets and just how very hard each day can be. There are AA books out there that have the same story, but this one seemed edger and more open. If you like her, you'll love the book. If you don't, it probably won't change your mind but you will come away respecting her spirit and her determination. This was probably not an easy book to write, but it's an easy and engaging read.