Review by Booklist Review
In this hilarious and poignant memoir, comedian Brunson shares her head and her heart for readers who may only know her face from the internet. Before becoming meme-famous and a content creator for Buzzfeed, Brunson was born and raised in Philadelphia, the youngest of five kids in her tight-knit Jehovah's Witness family, a curious and active child, a dancer and a social butterfly. She went to an arts-focused high school and Temple University, where she began her love affair with comedy, studied improv in Chicago, and landed in Los Angeles, where she worked at the Apple store to make rent and performed sketch comedy at night. This hard work and a genuine gift for making people laugh led Brunson to viral internet fame and her gig at Buzzfeed. Brunson generously shares sweet childhood memories of her family and honest stories of what it's like as a Black performer in the predominantly white world of comedy. She writes about the pop culture phenomena that shaped her POV and the bizarre nature of being recognized at the ballpark. Brunson's razor-sharp wit and gratitude for her extraordinary life leap off every page. Perfect for fans of Bossypants and Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Brunson, comedian and executive producer of HBO's The Black Lady Sketch Show, delivers a collection of essays about humor and humility in this debut. From growing up Jehovah's Witness in Philadelphia, to relocating to Los Angeles, Brunson reveals her greatest loves and embraces her roots, literally and figuratively. Sharing details of her love of dance and performance, her path to creativity, and her stumbling blocks, Brunson covers her journey in entertainment, from lighthearted teenage moments, to participating in Black Lives Matter protests, to surviving a worldwide pandemic. More a declaration of setbacks than a manual on success, this book has a lot of heart, which shines throughout each chapter, especially where Brunson discusses her favorite conversation points: "iOS updates, anime, and Adventure Time." Fans of her work on BuzzFeed Video will be familiar with her anecdotes about working in retail to fund the pursuit of her dream comedy career, and will find added nuance here. VERDICT Laid back and relatable, Brunson's book is reminiscent of a chat with your oldest friend from high school. Her honesty and tenacity will inspire readers to follow their own dreams. For fans of Tiffany Haddish, Tina Fey, or Napoleon Dynamite.--Alana Quarles, Fairfax County P.L., Alexandria, VA
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