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Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation
In this hilariously revealing debut memoir, comedian Sarah Cooper charts her rise from lip-synching in church to lip-synching the president, and all the dad issues she collected along the way.
As the youngest of four in a tight-knit Jamaican family, Cooper cut her teeth in the mean cornfields of suburban Maryland. Soon she became a charmingly neurotic woman trying to break her worst patterns and reclaim her linen closet. From an early obsession with hair bands to her struggle to escape the immigrant-to-basic-bitch pipeline to her use of the Internet as a marriage counselor (after being fired by two real ones), and the curse of her TED Talk vibe, Cooper invites us to share in her triumphs and humiliations as she tries (and fails) to balance her own dreams with the American dream.
With determination and wit, Cooper mines a lifetime of oppressive perfectionism for your laughter and as she moves from tech to comedy, marriage to divorce, smart to foolish, while proving once and for all that being foolish is actually the smartest thing you can do.
As the youngest of four in a tight-knit Jamaican family, Cooper cut her teeth in the mean cornfields of suburban Maryland. Soon she became a charmingly neurotic woman trying to break her worst patterns and reclaim her linen closet. From an early obsession with hair bands to her struggle to escape the immigrant-to-basic-bitch pipeline to her use of the Internet as a marriage counselor (after being fired by two real ones), and the curse of her TED Talk vibe, Cooper invites us to share in her triumphs and humiliations as she tries (and fails) to balance her own dreams with the American dream.
With determination and wit, Cooper mines a lifetime of oppressive perfectionism for your laughter and as she moves from tech to comedy, marriage to divorce, smart to foolish, while proving once and for all that being foolish is actually the smartest thing you can do.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 3, 2023
77 people are currently reading
4628 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Cooper
6 books309 followersSARAH COOPER is a writer and comedian who had a former life in the tech world. Her books include 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings (2016), How to Be Successful without Hurting Men's Feelings (2018), and her debut memoir Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination and Humiliation (2023). Cooper went viral in 2020 with her Trump lip-sync videos, leading to Netflix special Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine, and appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The View and the New York Times Best Performers list. Most recently, she appeared in Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut Unfrosted: The Pop-tart Story (2024). Cooper is married to a Pomeranian named Buddy with whom she shares a home in Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
November 15, 2023
Wow. The ups, the downs, the highs, the lows. I was enthralled from start to finish. I could not put it down and even when I did put it down I picked it right back up again because I had a deadline. Love me some Sarah Cooper.
November 23, 2023
This is a memoir by Sarah Cooper, that famous interpretive lip sync artist who so artfully brought Trump’s most famous comments to life. It turns out she actually has a life other than lip syncing, so this memoir is mostly about growing up as a child of Jamaican immigrants, doing the college thing, and quitting a tech career to go into the acting/writing/comedy business. She had moderate success before things blew wide open in the Trump years which then led to costarring with Dame Helen Mirren and getting calls from Jerry Seinfeld about appearing is his Netflix movie “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.”
She tells more about herself than I would want to tell about myself, but at least she makes the point clear that she’s a character. One chapter is dedicated to apologizing to her former roommates for things she did. That information together with the fact that she’s been through two divorces leads me to speculate that perhaps all her exes had to be saints to put with her for more than one day.
After her Trump lip syncs she was hopeful that she would have many young TikTok fans, but learned instead that it was their fathers who were the most enthused fans. Once a thirty minute Zoom meeting with Sarah Cooper was sold in a fundraiser for $15,000 which surely must have been paid for by a real fan. When the young girl who finally redeemed the prize ended up not being very enthusiastic Sarah ask her who paid for the $15,000. It was her father of course.
I suspect there is some creative fiction in this memoir for comic effect, but I can’t be sure what’s satire and what’s real. For example, is there such a thing as an immigrant-to-basic-bitch pipeline support group? Whichever it is, she’s in it. Also, she claims she became skilled at lip syncing in grade school choir because it pleased the director. Could her singing be that bad?
She tells more about herself than I would want to tell about myself, but at least she makes the point clear that she’s a character. One chapter is dedicated to apologizing to her former roommates for things she did. That information together with the fact that she’s been through two divorces leads me to speculate that perhaps all her exes had to be saints to put with her for more than one day.
After her Trump lip syncs she was hopeful that she would have many young TikTok fans, but learned instead that it was their fathers who were the most enthused fans. Once a thirty minute Zoom meeting with Sarah Cooper was sold in a fundraiser for $15,000 which surely must have been paid for by a real fan. When the young girl who finally redeemed the prize ended up not being very enthusiastic Sarah ask her who paid for the $15,000. It was her father of course.
I suspect there is some creative fiction in this memoir for comic effect, but I can’t be sure what’s satire and what’s real. For example, is there such a thing as an immigrant-to-basic-bitch pipeline support group? Whichever it is, she’s in it. Also, she claims she became skilled at lip syncing in grade school choir because it pleased the director. Could her singing be that bad?
October 9, 2023
This book is very good. The chapter where she explains what started the TicTok lip syncing of Trump was worth the price of the book. I giggled through the chapter of looking smart at meetings and suggested the book to my son for that chapter alone.
I highly recommend this book to those living in the corporate world. You may recognize a mutual life experience.
I highly recommend this book to those living in the corporate world. You may recognize a mutual life experience.
August 2, 2025
I first came across Sarah Cooper during the pandemic when her lip-syncs of Donald Trump went viral. They gave me a good laugh. I saw a post about her book and I thought, why not give it a shot?
This book was hit or miss for me. It’s a collection of personal essays about growing up Jamaican-American, trying to fit in, chasing dreams, and dealing with all the awkward and uncomfortable moments along the way.
There were some funny bits—I laughed out loud here and there, and a few parts made me do the quiet “air-through-the-nose” laugh. Some of the realizations she shared were actually interesting to read and felt relatable to some extent. But overall, the book felt uneven. Certain chapters dragged, and I didn’t feel fully engaged the whole way through.
It’s a quick read with a mix of humor and reflection, but it didn’t leave a strong impression. I’d give it 2.5 stars.
This book was hit or miss for me. It’s a collection of personal essays about growing up Jamaican-American, trying to fit in, chasing dreams, and dealing with all the awkward and uncomfortable moments along the way.
There were some funny bits—I laughed out loud here and there, and a few parts made me do the quiet “air-through-the-nose” laugh. Some of the realizations she shared were actually interesting to read and felt relatable to some extent. But overall, the book felt uneven. Certain chapters dragged, and I didn’t feel fully engaged the whole way through.
It’s a quick read with a mix of humor and reflection, but it didn’t leave a strong impression. I’d give it 2.5 stars.
March 16, 2025
This memoir by Sarah Cooper, the lip-sync artist who made Trump’s ridiculousness go viral, is a mix of humor, self-reflection, and a few “wait, what?” moments. She shares her story of growing up as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, transitioning from tech to comedy, and rising to fame—before the Trump videos made her an internet sensation. However, the book didn’t quite meet my expectations. I was hoping for a fun, fast read, but I found myself struggling to finish. While there are definitely moments that will make you laugh, overall, it felt more mediocre than the comedic masterpiece I was hoping for—like a punchline that just doesn’t land.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advance copy to read!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advance copy to read!
November 14, 2023
Disappointing and not very funny, at least not for me. Like many people, I know of Sarah Cooper from her lip-syncing Trump Tic Toks. I also watched her Netflix special: Everything's Fine; it was "ok". It wasn't like I had high hopes or expectations of this memoir, but I did expect to LOL more than a handful of times. I ended up skimming a lot of chapters towards the end because I just wasn't enjoying these "tales".
March 17, 2024
Listened to the audiobook. The last hour or so seemed liked an acknowledgments section for her Netflix special and it was kind of annoying. Would definitely recommend skipping the last portion of the book.
October 12, 2023
Sarah's hilarious, honest, vulnerable and relatable storytelling was exactly the read I needed this week! The journey of this book is inspiring and funny, but also incredibly deep and thoughtful. Sarah's authentic storytelling gives voice to the difficult journey of identity and the many systems she, and many of us, navigate in pursuit of agency. In sharing how she has worked to define, discover, develop, and continually evolve as a person and an artist helps free us all. Great read, strong reccommend!
October 23, 2023
Spectacularly entertaining
Right up at the top of this readers highly enjoyable best book list. Next best thing to actually meeting this insightful author, writer, and entertainer. Safe to say a very high probability that reading this book will make you happy to have come to delightful appreciation for Sarah Cooper.
Right up at the top of this readers highly enjoyable best book list. Next best thing to actually meeting this insightful author, writer, and entertainer. Safe to say a very high probability that reading this book will make you happy to have come to delightful appreciation for Sarah Cooper.
October 17, 2023
I've not heard of Sarah Cooper before, I guess I live under a rock. Either way I absolutely loved this book! Hilarious and beyond relatable. Giggles on every page.
November 7, 2023
Unpopular opinion I guess but I did not like this book. I felt like she was trying a little too hard to be funny and it got really repetitive. Like I get it you’re Jamaican and you are divorced and there are parts of that that are funny, but please move onto something else instead of going back to this at almost every chapter. She sort of just glazed over the Trump stuff at the very end, which I thought deserved a lot more time and space since that was really what put her on the map anyway.
October 20, 2023
There are many funny/charming parts of this book but it didn’t feel put together well? I think it’s likely this book would have been better in audiobook version or as a stand-up type routine. I like Cooper, and I feel this could have been better.
October 28, 2023
I highly recommend listening to this in audiobook format. Sarah is so delightful while telling her story. A must-read for all of us who fell in love with her trump Tik Toks. She kept us sane, and we learned so much more about this sweet wash belly
October 11, 2023
She was not as funny or as likable as I hoped. Also, she said she wrote much of the book while high, and it shows.
June 3, 2025
Frank, funny, irreverent, sometimes hilariously dirty, and ultimately also touching, insightful, and real, Cooper’s memoir is a breezy jog through some hysterical highlights and lowlights of her life and her rocket rise to fame. It’s a fantastic read!
November 10, 2023
I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
I actually was not familiar with the Trump lip-syncing thing that Sarah Cooper is famous for, but I entered this giveaway hoping for a fun, lighthearted memoir. And that's kind of what I got, though I think the more meaty and interesting stuff came towards the end, and there wasn't enough of it. The book starts with the author's childhood, an introduction to her Jamaican family, and the formation of her racial identity. And then it goes into her stints at Yahoo! and Google, her whirlwind first marriage that's mentioned a lot through her references to a second divorce but is barely talked about as a marriage, and then her second marriage and subsequent divorce. Finally, the author talks about the beginnings of her comedy career and her viral lip-syncing video. Though it's also not quite that well-organized, and the author even has a chronological chapter list that's not like the actual chapter list. While it's not like I found the parts about her childhood and marriage boring, I do wish she talked more about her comedy career, and it felt rushed near the end. It's only about 40 pages from the end of the book that she mentions The Cooper Review, which I remembered reading when it was new and thinking how great it was as office humor. The viral article about her tricks to appear smart in meetings apparently is from 2014, and yet it appears so close to the end. I really wish the author had gone into more detail about her subsequent comedy career, but instead she immediately goes into the viral video of 2020. There's a brief mention of her 2016 book, but I would have loved to know the background of that and the story of how the book came to be. The humorous tone is probably not for everyone, but I appreciated how it kind of just sounds like the author writes like she talks. I also enjoyed the variations in form, including bulleted lists, a pretend screenplay, and a listicle-type chapter. So I enjoyed this probably more than I should have just because the format and humor resonated with me, even though it's not that well-organized, and I really do wish she had talked about her comedy career more.
I actually was not familiar with the Trump lip-syncing thing that Sarah Cooper is famous for, but I entered this giveaway hoping for a fun, lighthearted memoir. And that's kind of what I got, though I think the more meaty and interesting stuff came towards the end, and there wasn't enough of it. The book starts with the author's childhood, an introduction to her Jamaican family, and the formation of her racial identity. And then it goes into her stints at Yahoo! and Google, her whirlwind first marriage that's mentioned a lot through her references to a second divorce but is barely talked about as a marriage, and then her second marriage and subsequent divorce. Finally, the author talks about the beginnings of her comedy career and her viral lip-syncing video. Though it's also not quite that well-organized, and the author even has a chronological chapter list that's not like the actual chapter list. While it's not like I found the parts about her childhood and marriage boring, I do wish she talked more about her comedy career, and it felt rushed near the end. It's only about 40 pages from the end of the book that she mentions The Cooper Review, which I remembered reading when it was new and thinking how great it was as office humor. The viral article about her tricks to appear smart in meetings apparently is from 2014, and yet it appears so close to the end. I really wish the author had gone into more detail about her subsequent comedy career, but instead she immediately goes into the viral video of 2020. There's a brief mention of her 2016 book, but I would have loved to know the background of that and the story of how the book came to be. The humorous tone is probably not for everyone, but I appreciated how it kind of just sounds like the author writes like she talks. I also enjoyed the variations in form, including bulleted lists, a pretend screenplay, and a listicle-type chapter. So I enjoyed this probably more than I should have just because the format and humor resonated with me, even though it's not that well-organized, and I really do wish she had talked about her comedy career more.
January 22, 2025
Sarah Cooper’s Chaos Is Therapeutic
I love reading autobiographies, but I realized that I had never read one written by a comedian. Like most people, I had become familiar with Sarah Cooper through her entertaining lip-syncing social media posts. Aside from that, I didn't know much about her, but I really enjoyed her work. So, purchasing her book was somewhat of an impulse decision. I even pre-ordered it and shared my excitement with her online, and she was kind enough to respond with a thank-you. That simple gesture solidified my loyalty to Sarah Cooper.
After months of distractions in my life, I finally sat down to read this book. I found myself smiling and amazed by everything the author had been through and how she still managed to stay sane. The beauty of this book is that it reads like a chaotic recounting of life events you might hear from a friend—it's not linear at all, but somehow, the collection of stories makes sense, even when the situations seem absurd.
What stands out in this book is a kind of charming insecurity that makes her relatable and normalizes the things we often dislike about ourselves. Her mistakes, which she presents in a humorous way, are easy to connect with. Her fantasies about dreams and the people she wished to talk to capture experiences we all have when we are alone and no one is watching. My main point is that she feels genuine in the way she shares her thoughts, her life experiences. She is a highly successful and educated woman and she could probably eviscerate me in a game of chess, yet somehow, Sarah Cooper finds a way to make you feel welcome. Not like stop by her house welcome, but hey you’re not as weird as you think welcome.
She makes the reader realize we’re all a little bit broken, our outside image is a facade, and laughing at ourselves is the best medicine.And yes, the book is hilarious. Sometimes you’ll feel guilty for laughing at some of her stories because you know she went through a lot of pain. But maybe that was the intent.
I love reading autobiographies, but I realized that I had never read one written by a comedian. Like most people, I had become familiar with Sarah Cooper through her entertaining lip-syncing social media posts. Aside from that, I didn't know much about her, but I really enjoyed her work. So, purchasing her book was somewhat of an impulse decision. I even pre-ordered it and shared my excitement with her online, and she was kind enough to respond with a thank-you. That simple gesture solidified my loyalty to Sarah Cooper.
After months of distractions in my life, I finally sat down to read this book. I found myself smiling and amazed by everything the author had been through and how she still managed to stay sane. The beauty of this book is that it reads like a chaotic recounting of life events you might hear from a friend—it's not linear at all, but somehow, the collection of stories makes sense, even when the situations seem absurd.
What stands out in this book is a kind of charming insecurity that makes her relatable and normalizes the things we often dislike about ourselves. Her mistakes, which she presents in a humorous way, are easy to connect with. Her fantasies about dreams and the people she wished to talk to capture experiences we all have when we are alone and no one is watching. My main point is that she feels genuine in the way she shares her thoughts, her life experiences. She is a highly successful and educated woman and she could probably eviscerate me in a game of chess, yet somehow, Sarah Cooper finds a way to make you feel welcome. Not like stop by her house welcome, but hey you’re not as weird as you think welcome.
She makes the reader realize we’re all a little bit broken, our outside image is a facade, and laughing at ourselves is the best medicine.And yes, the book is hilarious. Sometimes you’ll feel guilty for laughing at some of her stories because you know she went through a lot of pain. But maybe that was the intent.
November 20, 2023
Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation is a hilarious and honest memoir from the lip-syncing comedian who rose to fame during the pandemic. The book takes you on a ride through Cooper's upbringing as the youngest in a tight-knit Jamaican family in suburban Maryland. What sets this memoir apart is Cooper's ability to blend humor with vulnerability, sharing not just the triumphs but also the raw, relatable moments of humiliation and self-discovery. Her exploration of her dad's issues, her obsession with hair bands, and her struggle to escape the immigrant-to-basic-bitch pipeline are not only entertaining but also deeply resonant. Her candid storytelling style invites readers to reflect on their own lives while enjoying the absurdity of her experiences. You can't help but root for her as she navigates the fine line between chasing dreams and succumbing to the pressures of the American dream.
Foolish had me laughing, cringing, and nodding along with every page. The author's charmingly neurotic personality had me hooked from the start. From her stories of lip-synching in church to lip-synching the president, her memoir is a rollercoaster of amusement and self-examination. The way she looks at things is so funny, speaking to our overthinking interior monologue. I found myself laughing out loud at her Internet use as a marriage counselor, a hilarious twist that had me questioning my own Google search history. Foolish is not just a comedy memoir; it's a guide to embracing the freedom to be unreasonable.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
Foolish had me laughing, cringing, and nodding along with every page. The author's charmingly neurotic personality had me hooked from the start. From her stories of lip-synching in church to lip-synching the president, her memoir is a rollercoaster of amusement and self-examination. The way she looks at things is so funny, speaking to our overthinking interior monologue. I found myself laughing out loud at her Internet use as a marriage counselor, a hilarious twist that had me questioning my own Google search history. Foolish is not just a comedy memoir; it's a guide to embracing the freedom to be unreasonable.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
July 14, 2025
I went into Foolish excited after hearing Sarah Cooper on a podcast, I thought she was brilliant, dryly funny, and felt a personal connection as a (light-skinned Caribbean island gal spoiler: I don't think she identified as one or had that experience as being treated like one growing up 😄). I was ready to be charmed.
Some chapters really stood out, sharp and insightful but overall, Foolish felt uneven. Rather than cohesive, it often seemed scattered, not just between chapters (which felt intentional) but inside them. I found myself struggling to pin down her point or follow her train of thought.
And the humor? While I love dry comedy, it didn’t shine in the writing. It felt more like a collection of personal musings rather than a comedic memoir or essay collection. There were flashes of personality and wit, but they never coalesced into the laugh out loud moments I expected from her pod guest persona.
In short: I respect Sarah Cooper and recognize her talent, but Foolish didn’t click for me the way I hoped. Worth a read for fans curious to see another side of her but be prepared for a ride that’s bumpy in spots.
Pros:
Occasional chapters that spark insight and humor
Glimpses of Sarah’s personality shine through
Cons:
Lacks cohesion even within chapters
Humor feels diluted on the page versus spoken performance
Doesn’t live up to podcast expectations
Would recommend if you're curious, but go in ready for a less structured, more rambling experience.
Some chapters really stood out, sharp and insightful but overall, Foolish felt uneven. Rather than cohesive, it often seemed scattered, not just between chapters (which felt intentional) but inside them. I found myself struggling to pin down her point or follow her train of thought.
And the humor? While I love dry comedy, it didn’t shine in the writing. It felt more like a collection of personal musings rather than a comedic memoir or essay collection. There were flashes of personality and wit, but they never coalesced into the laugh out loud moments I expected from her pod guest persona.
In short: I respect Sarah Cooper and recognize her talent, but Foolish didn’t click for me the way I hoped. Worth a read for fans curious to see another side of her but be prepared for a ride that’s bumpy in spots.
Pros:
Occasional chapters that spark insight and humor
Glimpses of Sarah’s personality shine through
Cons:
Lacks cohesion even within chapters
Humor feels diluted on the page versus spoken performance
Doesn’t live up to podcast expectations
Would recommend if you're curious, but go in ready for a less structured, more rambling experience.
October 24, 2023
I was very excited to see Sarah Cooper's autobiography available on Netgalley, so I lost no time in applying for it. I found this a largely entertaining book, but to be honest, not all of the chapters were created equal, and it is probably good to know that going in. I don't just mean that certain chapters will be favourites, but also that some of them are just not as well written or funny as others. Maybe because, as Sarah herself admits, she was high while she was writing!
Be that as it may, there is a great deal of entertainment to be had from this book. I first came across Cooper for her lip syncing of Donald Trump, which I found very, very funny. I wasn't sure how much more there was to her, but her autobiography indicates the answer is "quite a lot".
In the book, Cooper addresses many difficult topics such as family dynamics, marriage, divorce, miscarriages, and issues related to identity and race, to name a few. But she also managers to deliver some opportunities for the reader to laugh out loud, and is unrelentingly honest, not least about her own shortcomings. So if your looking for a book that will make you think as hard as it makes you laugh you may well have come to the right place. I give it 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review
Be that as it may, there is a great deal of entertainment to be had from this book. I first came across Cooper for her lip syncing of Donald Trump, which I found very, very funny. I wasn't sure how much more there was to her, but her autobiography indicates the answer is "quite a lot".
In the book, Cooper addresses many difficult topics such as family dynamics, marriage, divorce, miscarriages, and issues related to identity and race, to name a few. But she also managers to deliver some opportunities for the reader to laugh out loud, and is unrelentingly honest, not least about her own shortcomings. So if your looking for a book that will make you think as hard as it makes you laugh you may well have come to the right place. I give it 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review
October 6, 2023
Sarah Cooper is a comedian, writer, and former Google employee who rose to fame with her hilarious lip-sync videos of Donald Trump. Her latest book Foolish shares her observations and insights on life, work, love, and everything in between. The book is a collection of essays, lists, charts, and illustrations that showcase her witty and irreverent humor. By the end of the book, I wanted to date her, especially after discovering her Jewish roots (she has 1% Jewish in her, according to 23&me). With her crazy personality, I guess she is reading all the book reviews and, by now, is checking my Facebook profile.
Cooper's humor is sharp. She also doesn't try to imitate or emulate other female comics but rather creates her distinct voice and style. However, not all the essays in the book are equally good. Some of them could have been edited out.
Overall, Foolish is an entertaining and enjoyable book that showcases Sarah Cooper's talent and personality. It is a perfect read for fans of her videos or anyone who needs a good laugh in these challenging times. If you are looking for a smart and funny book by a smart and funny woman, you should definitely check out Foolish by Sarah Cooper. By the way, the last sentence was written by Google's BARD.
May 29, 2024
Self deprecating humor is the best kind. At that, Sarah Cooper is an expert. She has experienced quite the trajectory from Yahoo! to Google to lip-syncing her way to fame. Yet she remains a modest source of information, whether she’s sharing how to look smart in meetings or how NOT to medical.
I owe her a debt of gratitude for getting me through the worst months of the pandemic by laughing-out-loud instead of crying. I watched her videos on repeat, fascinated by the absurdity of it all. I admire her for having the audacity to set her own course, for capitalizing on her mistakes, and for being willing to share them with us.
I admit, the bar was high when I started reading her book, and I don’t think it quite lived up to my expectations. She was, in my mind, on a comedy pedestal, after all. But with Sarah, I think her beauty is in her imperfections. I will be her fan for life, flaws and all.
I owe her a debt of gratitude for getting me through the worst months of the pandemic by laughing-out-loud instead of crying. I watched her videos on repeat, fascinated by the absurdity of it all. I admire her for having the audacity to set her own course, for capitalizing on her mistakes, and for being willing to share them with us.
I admit, the bar was high when I started reading her book, and I don’t think it quite lived up to my expectations. She was, in my mind, on a comedy pedestal, after all. But with Sarah, I think her beauty is in her imperfections. I will be her fan for life, flaws and all.
October 28, 2023
If you wrote down, "beautiful black woman lip-syncs to Donald Trump's most outrageous comments", I wonder if it would have seemed like lightning in a bottle. But it totally worked and she blew up into a national phenomenon.
It's not like she rose from total obscurity. She'd already had a couple of books published and was finding her way out of tech and into the acting/writing/comedy industries. The "overnight sensation" narrative rocked her world and helped end her marriage, while simultaneously putting her in line for projects and opportunities most people only ever dream of. Who else goes from making videos in their apartment to costarring with Dame Helen Mirren and getting calls from Jerry Seinfeld about appearing in his next movie? Foolish is a one-of-a-kind American Dream story. And it's funny!
It's not like she rose from total obscurity. She'd already had a couple of books published and was finding her way out of tech and into the acting/writing/comedy industries. The "overnight sensation" narrative rocked her world and helped end her marriage, while simultaneously putting her in line for projects and opportunities most people only ever dream of. Who else goes from making videos in their apartment to costarring with Dame Helen Mirren and getting calls from Jerry Seinfeld about appearing in his next movie? Foolish is a one-of-a-kind American Dream story. And it's funny!
October 24, 2023
I really enjoyed Sarah's book. The chapter where she apologies to her previous roommates, hilarious. Her mom reading HomeGoods signs as life advice, loved it. Taking back her linen closet, cracked me up. But it was also filled with stories of her miscarriages, divorces, jobs, killing plants and weed.
“Some people say never give up. I say give up! Give up every day. Quit, constantly. Tell yourself you can’t take it anymore. Break up with your dreams. Over and over again. And then the next day, give it one more shot. Every day. Quit and then keep trying. Over and over and over again. For the rest of your life.
Like a damn fool.”
“Some people say never give up. I say give up! Give up every day. Quit, constantly. Tell yourself you can’t take it anymore. Break up with your dreams. Over and over again. And then the next day, give it one more shot. Every day. Quit and then keep trying. Over and over and over again. For the rest of your life.
Like a damn fool.”
October 31, 2023
I love this book so much. I first discovered Sarah Cooper doing her incredible lip-synching videos during the pandemic, and it was just so the humor and sanity that I needed in that moment.
When I saw this book was coming out, I could not wait to read it, and it did not disappoint. So funny, as expected, but also startlingly genuine. Her ability to lay it all out there and just be real about her highs (literally), her lows, and her insecurities was so refreshing and relatable.
I will absolutely read this again just like I still watch her videos to laugh at everything all over again.
When I saw this book was coming out, I could not wait to read it, and it did not disappoint. So funny, as expected, but also startlingly genuine. Her ability to lay it all out there and just be real about her highs (literally), her lows, and her insecurities was so refreshing and relatable.
I will absolutely read this again just like I still watch her videos to laugh at everything all over again.
November 27, 2023
Sarah Cooper's memoir is a wonderful guide on how to accept yourself even when feeling like you belong nowhere. It is very personal, moving, daringly honest, and so, so very funny. Sarah Cooper has this ability to express complex ideas in just a few lines and to throw in punchlines that catch you by surprise (with a joke you would maybe think of but never dare say out loud). I laughed out loud several times.
Foolish is a wonderful reminder that life has many facets, and the possibilities of wonder and embarrassment are infinite.
Foolish is a wonderful reminder that life has many facets, and the possibilities of wonder and embarrassment are infinite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2023
Sarah Cooper has gained a reputation for some of her observations and standup routines.
Though this memoir taps into her upbringing and path to fame I didn't feel that it lived up to its comedic potential. I had previously not been familiar with Ms Cooper I had heard about so,e of her work. That work had more "comic punch" than this memoir. I will add that many memoirs I have read do tend to dissapoint.
Though this memoir taps into her upbringing and path to fame I didn't feel that it lived up to its comedic potential. I had previously not been familiar with Ms Cooper I had heard about so,e of her work. That work had more "comic punch" than this memoir. I will add that many memoirs I have read do tend to dissapoint.
November 11, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I had no idea Sarah had reached the levels of fame described in the book after going viral for her Trump impressions, which is how I found her. Her family and her career trajectory are interesting, and I would recommend this book to other fans of comedic biographies. She varied the writing format to include listicles, journal, entries, dialogue, and straight narration.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
November 30, 2023
Erghhh- I wanted to like this. I read another review that said something about appreciating an author more before reading his/her book and that’s how I feel now. I had been hoping for a light, funny read after just having read a sad, heart wrenching read and this unfortunately didn’t deliver. I found the writing didn’t keep my attention and though there were a few laughable moments, overall I didn’t find it funny. :(
December 5, 2023
Sarah's Cheeto impression videos are still brilliant and hilarious to me, so I had a suspicion I would enjoy this audiobook. This had me laughing so much, especially at the story about her tutor. Disclosure: I mentioned how much I loved her book on one of Sarah's IG posts and she commented with 🤣🤣🤣 so we're basically best friends now, but I swear I am nonetheless unbiased in my fivest of five stars love for this.
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