Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life

by Sutton Foster

From the 2-time Tony Award-winner and the star of TV’s Younger, funny and intimate stories and reflections about how crafting has kept her sane while navigating the highs and lows of family, love, and show business (and how it can help you, too).

Whether she’s playing an “age-defying” book editor on television or dazzling audiences on the Broadway stage, Sutton Foster manages to make it all look easy. How? Crafting. From the moment she picked up a cross stitch needle to escape the bullying chorus girls in her early performing days, she was hooked. Cross stitching led to crocheting, crocheting led to collages, which led to drawing, and so much more. Channeling her emotions into her creations centered Sutton as she navigated the significant moments in her life and gave her tangible reminders of her experiences. Now, in this charming and poignant collection, Sutton shares those moments, including her fraught relationship with her agoraphobic mother; a painful divorce splashed on the pages of the tabloids; her struggles with fertility; the thrills she found on the stage during hit plays like Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, and Violet; her breakout TV role in Younger; and the joy of adopting her daughter, Emily. Accompanying the stories, Sutton has included crochet patterns, recipes, and so much more!

Witty and poignant, Hooked will leave readers entertained as well as inspire them to pick up their own cross stitch needles and paintbrushes.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Biography Memoir, Crafts, Autobiography

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2021

Reviews

[Olive Fellows (abookolive) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked is an extremely honest, touching memoir in which Broadway star Sutton Foster looks back on her impressive career and complicated relationship with her agoraphobic mother. She discusses her major life events as she recalls the various crafting projects she's taken on over the years, hobbies she credits with saving her life. I'm a fan of hers, having fallen in love with characters on the criminally short-lived TV series Bunheads and I can say that this memoir made me admire her even more than I did before.

[La Crosse County Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not as much about crafting as the title would lead you to believe. Foster describes the book as “a book about crafting that really tells the story of my agoraphobic mother” and that is more accurate. If you’re not familiar with Sutton Foster, she is a Tony-Award-winning Broadway actress who also starred in the TV series Bunheads and Younger. She’s peppy and funny and positive.

In other words—the opposite of what you would expect given her upbringing.

As the book progresses, describing a life challenge and the craft that helped her though it, it becomes clear that her purpose in writing this book is to examine her relationship with her mother in an attempt to understand her and thus understand herself, as well as her relationship with her own daughter, Emily. Foster equates the writing of the book as another craft project.

"I wanted to piece together all the meaningful moments, like a quilt, to make sense of who I am, where I come from, and how I feel about those I love, in the hopes that it, too, will be passed on… all pieces that Emily might use to tell her own story, one day."

I enjoyed the book, and I think others who are familiar with Sutton Foster or like behind-the-scenes insight into the life of a Broadway/television actress would like it too. I did wish that it included pictures of her crafts. She spends so much time talking about them that I wanted to see the finished project! If you’re not into musicals, crafts, or mother/daughter musings, then this is probably not the book for you.

-Beth

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[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this memoir! It's vulnerable and really beautiful. I enjoyed learning about Suttons life, and what a fascinating life it was.

I'll be honest, I'm not a crafter. I'm not really even very talented. I requested this book based on the fact it was Sutton Foster. I didn't know if the crafting aspect would appeal to me. Was I ever wrong. I absolutely LOVED everything about this book. And guess what? It made me realize I need to find something I'm passionate about too.

I highly recommend this gem!

Thanks so much go Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy!

[Gretchen Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the story of how Foster used crafting to manage difficult moments in her life I found the book a bit scattered. The timeline was choppy and occasionally hard to follow. In the end I’m glad I read the book, but felt it could have benefited from further editing.

[Sabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was nice. Liked her writing and honesty about her life. The audiobook is narrated by the author and it's done well.

[Kathy Cowie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was, for me, an unexpectedly moving story. I remember seeing Sutton Foster as Millie on the Tony Award broadcast and being blown away, and I’ve loved her ever since. Listening to her story made me want to dig through my old playbills to see if she was the woman I saw belt out NYC in Annie, though that’s probably wishful thinking, in more ways than one, given our age difference. Her story is amazing, and, considering how important crafts were in my house to surviving this pandemic, relatable. She is a beautiful person inside and out, and this book is a must read (though I would recommend listening to her read it) for Broadway fans. I took a couple of breaks to watch her sing on youtube- Anything Goes, Defying Gravity, and especially her, with Megan McGinnis, singing Flight- as if I didn’t have enough evidence already of what a truly impressive artist she is. You rock, Sutton.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Crafting took a back seat in this book....like way back, in the trunk, under the spare tire...

[Scratch · Rating 3 out of 5]

What sucks is that the primary conceit of this memoir is my least favorite thing about it. Sutton Foster really wanted to talk about how she is a "maker" (same terminology used on Amy Poehler's show "Make It," so I assume that's an official term). She even described the writing process and how she did not want this book to be a chronological memoir that simply mentioned her crafting habit occasionally; rather, she wanted to focus on individual pieces and their emotional significance at a time in her life.

But, I didn't care about any of that.

I knew who Sutton Foster was because of Bunheads, an Amy Sherman-Palladino show that I absolutely loved. It's a crime that it wasn't given a second season. "The Fosters" was nowhere near as good, and I say that as a gay foster parent with a Latino child placed with me. It was practically the story of my life, and I still would have preferred several more seasons of Bunheads.

Currently, my one-year-old son likes to watch Shrek the Musical on an endless loop, so Sutton Foster has been on my mind lately anyway. Then this book came up in my feed and I thought, "Yeah. I haven't read non-fiction yet this year. Let's do it."

The best result of having finished this book is that I now have a new show to watch. There have been 7 seasons of a show called "Younger," featuring at least 3 big-name actresses I know, and I had never heard of it. I suppose this is partly the result of me no longer watching regular TV, so I see fewer commercials than ever before. But, no, I had never heard of this TV show. Now I want to check it out.

I could relate to her trials and tribulations with getting a baby, up to a point. I don't have female anatomy, so there were no attempts to get pregnant through either sex or IVF for me. But I could relate to the worry, to the effort, and ultimately to her decision to adopt. The last part happened for me as well. So, there is a certain amount of, "I feel seen!" when reading this.

But, the focus on crafting felt like an entirely unnecessary angle. She could have simply dubbed this book, "Sutton Foster: The Story of my Life," and I would have read it the same. Hell, I would have preferred it without the crafting references, which did nothing for me.

My mother and brother knit. Or crochet. Or whatever. They're already annoying as fuck about it. I don't need more people raving about it to me.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sutton Foster and this was everything I wanted in a memoir. It was just so heartbreaking, but at the same time we witnessed her sunny disposition and determination throughout it all. I loved how brutally honest she was and also that the stories were woven around how these events in her life inspired her crafting and artwork.

[Sarah (stay.stitchy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Grand Central Pub and Sutton Foster for letting me read Hooked early. This book hits shelves October 12.

If you know me, you know I am a wardrobe supervisor for broadway tours. I’ve been doing this for about 8 years now and I’ve just come back after our pandemic hiatus to the tour of Come From Away. We are in tech right now and it’s hard to explain just how amazing it is to work in this community, it is just so special.

Sutton Foster is a broadway star and also a crochet master. Just these two things together make her someone I will always root for. This book, Hooked, is her memoir, she combines deep moments of struggle in her life with the various crafts that have helped her though them. In this book she recounts family struggles, career highs and lows as well as personal triumphs. I even learned a little more about a good friend of hers who I have had the pleasure of working with! If you’re into crafting, broadway or just a fan of Sutton’s, this book is for you. She includes recipes, crochet patterns and musings of her interesting life, I highly recommend this one!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea who Sutton Foster is; I picked up the book because crafting is an important part of who I am and I was excited to connect with someone who feels similarly. Instead, I read a poorly written memoir about musicals I’ve never heard of before and an unstable mother who, it seems, was never offered mental health treatment despite her erratic and alarming behavior. I also wish images of the art described in the memoir were included in the book—I ended up Googling them. This is not a book about crafting; it’s a chance for the author to name drop all her connections in her industry, which mean nothing to someone who doesn’t follow the musical theater world. Crafters will need to find connection elsewhere.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Sutton Foster!!! Her memoir was so open, honest, relatable and equally funny and heartwarming. She talks about her career, various projects, her love of crafting and her struggles with infertility, IVF, adoption and being a working mother. Great on audio read by the author. HIGHLY recommended!!

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just incredible. Sutton Foster has been one of my favorite actresses for forever, and this book was just...it was everything. Beautifully written, beautifully narrated (pro tip: listen to the audiobook), and just beautiful all around.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sutton Foster, so it is no surprise that I loved this memoir. Her honesty and openness is refreshing.

[Elisabeth Ensor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about Sutton’s life and complicated relationship with her mother. And all along how making with her hands and creating helped keep her in balance.
I’ve been learning the same thing for myself as well, I crave art and beauty. It can help me to calm down and escape hard days. It’s fun to have a side project.
All through the book she walks you through her journey and process of trying to understand her mother and understand herself too. Then the last few pages adds in propaganda about transgender people, the homosexual lifestyle and their hardships. I think the goal in publishing is to push their agenda in every book. I wish authors were stronger and would just demand to let the book be about their story and not a political view point.

[Jen Brodehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars- I liked this book because I love Broadway shows and I love how Sutton narrates books. I hope she narrates more audiobooks in the future! It was fun to read about her acting career.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter was in a local production of The Drowsy Chaperone. She wasn't the lead. The lead was a very charasmatic young woman named Reagan. Some friends of ours attended one of the performances and in the middle of "Show Off" one of them leaned over and said, "She's giving Sutton Foster a run for her money." I'm not sure about that, but the girl was good. Funnily enough, I've seen Foster in an episode of "Flight of the Conchords," but not in any of her Tony-winning roles. I’m deep diving on youtube.

I like musicals, but I'm not one of those people that follows the trajectory of someone's career. My daughters love musicals and so I've seen my share. It was nice to hear about how Foster made it from local theater to Broadway. Even more impressive - her brother is equally successful.

Foster depicts a the struggle with her mother's mental illness and the many ways that affected her own life. Crafting, particulary crocheting, has been her form of prayer. I can crochet, but I'm a beginner.

All in all, this is a good read that gives some insight to the work that goes into building a career on Broadway and beyond.

You have to watch Foster on Rosie O'Donnell. She tells the story of how she lost her voice and didn't want to rehearse so she could make sure she nailed it live. I'd say she does pretty well, but you be the judge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYmjD...

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely human being. This was tender and full of heart. I loved it.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I just loved this! I listened to the audiobook, read by Sutton Foster herself. The way that crafts helped her process events and manage stress really resonated with me. Highly recommend!

[Erin | snappshelfbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ - This was a really sweet, creative memoir. Definitely a different take on any of the other (many) memoirs I have read, which I enjoyed. I didn’t know much about Sutton Foster aside from I absolutely loved Younger, so this was a deep insight to her life. I learned a lot and am even considering picking up my old crochet needles while I watch Bunheads.

My only dislike is a picky one, she says she’s from Detroit in all chapters except one, where she says she’s from Troy. Those are not the same and this is important because I think her experiences / resources may have been different had she been from the city and not a more well off suburb. Had I not lived in the metro-Detroit area, this likely wouldn’t have bothered me.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge Sutton Foster fan and a knitter...a perfect memoir for me! The juicy, funny, emotion-filled backstage stories from her Broadway and television careers made me feel like I was getting to know the "real" Sutton Foster. Hearing how her creative crafting process has intersected with her performances and the various social and emotional challenges she faced provides deeper insights. I appreciate her honesty and vulnerability as she unpacks the effect her mother's mental illness had on the whole family and the challenges she faced in becoming a mom herself. Occasionally it felt like a list of shout outs to various friends and colleagues in her life, but overall a satisfying and hopeful read for the new year.

[Lauren Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was enjoyable to spend time with Sutton, and I’m anxious to get out some of my unfinished craft projects now!

[Chana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this - the utter vulnerability, the therapy insights, the backstories of various productions/roles, and the detailed craft descriptions all spoke to different aspects of Sutton Foster and different areas I could relate to from my own life. A lovely gift that she shared all of this 💕

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down for excessive use exclamation points! It felt like someone misusing the word 'literally' to the point of exhaustion, figuratively speaking.

The book started out well enough but it failed to hold my interest. I was only marginally familiar with the author from her brief appearances on Flight of the Conchords and while that worked against me somewhat the larger issue was the lack of depth in nearly every topic she introduced. The author seems likable enough and the material was a nice break from the problems of today's world but I found myself repeatedly not caring about her familial and romantic relationships; her crafting projects (no pictures); her adulation of Patti LuPone; her stage and TV career; her experience with parenthood.

All in all this book was a basic grilled cheese sandwich. Easy enough to consume but wholly forgettable.

[Chelsea Huang · Rating 4 out of 5]

My tap-dancing, vocal idol's book about her love for musical theatre, crochet, and dogs. I couldn't put it down.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foster felt incredibly vulnerable and honest in this memoir and I loved the way she structured it. IT wasn't a chronological arrangement; instead she focused on how she crafted to move through important stages in her life and framed each story around that. It was a unique way to do things that I think really worked here.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…there are scars you see and scars you don’t. Some heal and others remain big open wounds. Some you forget about and some you wear like a mask of victory, or of shame.”

I was late to the game in discovering the talented Sutton Foster. I only got to know her once she started her role on Younger, but I fell in love with her immediately and as that show (sadly) came to an end this year, I was excited to learn Foster wrote a memoir.

Foster decided to take the unique approach of telling her stories through crafting, the hobbies and projects that got her through. And I was blown away by just how raw and vulnerable Foster got in her book.

There was a huge mental health theme in this book. It began with Foster’s mother and her undiagnosed struggles that changed her and imprinted on her children. I appreciated Foster’s honesty about therapy and panic attacks and her difficult relationship with her mother.

This was an emotional read about love, loss and healing. It’s another memoir that’s now on my favorites list and that I highly recommend picking up for #NonfictionNovember I’m thankful to Grand Central Pub and Hachette Audio for my gifted physical and audiobook copies. I highly recommend both as the physical copy has great recipes and Foster voices her own story on the audiobook.

CW: Infertility, Death, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice memoir. I don't actually know who Sutton Foster is from her acting work; I just picked this book up because I thought it was about crafting. Honestly, I wish there was even more crafting stuff in it, but I liked the way Foster formatted her chapters around it. I felt the book was genuine and well-written. I would recommend it to her fans.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Sutton Foster’s since I was in Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2007. I listened to the cast album on repeat and was blown away by her powerful voice. A few years later, I was lucky enough to get to see her Tony winning performance in Anything Goes. I will never forget how effortless she made incredibly difficult dance numbers look. When my husband and I saw her in Sweet Charity, his immediate reaction was to turn to me and tell me that she is a “true triple threat.” Suffice it to say, I was looking forward to reading a memoir by someone whose work I’ve admired for so long.

While I have followed her career for a long time, I didn’t know much about Foster as a person. I was so moved by her honesty and vulnerability throughout Hooked. We see Foster as a big star now, but she shares stories of castmates making her feel ostracized early in her career and struggling to learn how to lead a Broadway show.

Of course, Foster’s relationship with her mother is the center of this story. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been whenever her mother missed one of her Broadway shows or that her mother refused to aknowledge her husband. It was beautiful to read about the way Foster came to accept her mother for who she was and to set reasonable expectations for their relationship.

I cried reading about her fertility struggles, and I am so grateful Foster chose to share them in this book. So many people are going through the same thing, and they will certainly benefit from feeling even a little less alone.

I also particularly loved Foster’s story about the influence Patti LuPone had on her life. When Foster wrote about watching LuPone sing “Being Alive” on TV and being instantly entranced, I instantly related to that feeling. I also grew up far away from New York City, and I was obsessed with watching whatever musical theater performances I could find. It was a lovely reminder that even the biggest Broadway stars are just theater nerds at heart.

As soon as I finished reading this book, I wanted to give Foster a hug and to thank her for sharing her story with me. It also made me want to run to the Winter Garden Theater and see her in The Music Man.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sutton Foster and am amazed by her talent, so I enjoyed listening to her memoir. It was interesting reading how she started out so young, kind of naïve, and unsure of herself to become more confident in her inner "badass." She includes several stories about her mom and her mom's mental illness and how that affected her growing up and beyond. The Audible pdf doesn't include very many pictures, and I wanted to see more photos of the crafts she references in the book. I learned that Sutton Foster played Eponine in the National Tour of Les Mis back in 1999 - that's when it came to Corpus and I went! So I must have seen her perform! I didn't realize this at the time, but I remember Eponine was my favorite. I will have to see if I still have my old Playbill to double-check this.