She Memes Well

Quinta Brunson's mom wanted her to be a teacher. But Quinta wanted to be an entertainer. So it's only fitting that Quinta ended up entertaining us about education. I'm, of course, talking about the Emmy-winning smash hit Abbott Elementary, which Quinta created and stars in. And although Quinta's memoir She Memes Well came out before the show, there are plenty of Abbott Easter eggs hidden within its pages. Which may not make sense chronologically. But I'm willing to say that it's a chicken and (Easter) egg thing if you are, so here it goes.Now that I've read the book, I can't help but wonder if kindergarten teacher Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), who serves as Janine's (Quinta Brunson's) prim and proper mentor, was modeled after Quinta's mom. Because it turns out that Mrs. Brunson was a by-the-book kindergarten teacher too.Quinta's favorite sitcom is The Office, which came as no surprise to me because Abbott has always reminded me of that show. There's the documentary style, the crazy boss (Janelle James), and the awkward yet sweet Jim-and-Pam-esque romance between Janine and Gregory (Tyler James Williams). Janine even starts the series with a boyfriend that rivals Roy in the doofus department. Yet what ties it all together is the wry, relatable humor illustrating all the weirdness that comes with the workplace -- and also the heart. That said, Abbott Elementary is in no way, shape, or form an offshoot of the Office. For one thing, no one in it is trying to sell paper. For another, it's about a bigger-picture issue, namely the struggles of teachers in underserved areas. And although I'm not a teacher (and thank goodness because I'd be terrible), from everything I've heard, its portrayal of that world is spot on.That's all well and good, you may be thinking. But you already said that this book isn't about Abbott Elementary, so what the heck is it about?! So glad you asked! It's about Quinta's childhood and family and the culture shock of moving from Philly to LA, a city of women who expect their dogs to be able to operate iPads. But it's also about how Quinta got to where she is today, and that's by making memes. Now, this took me by surprise. And it shouldn't have considering the title of her memoir! I thought it was just a clever-but-not-literal pun. But no. Quinta was obsessed with the Internet as a kid and ended up going viral on Instagram with a meme called "He Got Money!". It's about a girl who's never been on a real date, so every time a guy buys her popcorn at the movies or orders dessert at a restaurant, her character is so overcome that she enthusiastically cries this catchphrase. It was so popular that Quinta made appearances at events just so people could hear her say "He Got Money!" in person. As someone who spends a lot (too much?) time online, I love this. The idea that a lifetime (if a lifetime can be measured by one's twenties) of blood, sweat, and creative tears could culminate and explode in a platform accessible to everyone is very exciting.But that meme was just the beginning. Through a series of hilarious anecdotes, Quinta takes us on her professional and personal journey of making her comedic dreams come true. She's decidedly saltier than her salt-of-the-earth Abbott alter-ego Janine, a topic that she gamely riffed about last night when hosting SNL. Indeed, in Memes she tells us that she was popular, both a cheerleader and a prom queen. That's about as far from Janine as it gets, which means just one thing: Quinta's one heck of an actress.Shine bright, Brunson burner, shine bright.

I'm kinda loving Quinta Brunson right now! Abbot Elementary is so funny and she's just amazing. Bought the book on a whim and reading just a few pages at night- it's good so far

Comedian/actress/writer/ sitcom creator Quinta Brunson takes you on a heartfelt and hilarious journey beginning with her Philly childhood through to her years in LA. This is a great book about perserverance for creatives and for anyone with a dream trying to make something from the ground up. She finds the comedy in a strict childhood upbringing, dating in LA, Apple store shenanigans, all contributing to her years in comedy. Looking forward to her next decades of observations!

I think if you picked up this book for laughs you will miss out on the things that make Quinta a performer. Essentially she takes her us on a journey of she became internet famous aka she memes well. I really appreciated how she described where and how she draws inspiration and it's literally from her family, friends, and experiences. She also shares wisdom on what has kept her grounded and areas she sees still working through. I really appreciated her insights and this book was so unexpected.CN: violence, death, drug use, slut shaming, internet bullying

I don’t even read. The last book I read was 5 years ago. Quinta writes in such an authentic and encapsulating voice that you feel like you’re listening to a friend tell funny stories. It’s a great book that I would recommend to anyone! Quinta fans and Abbot Elementary fans will absolutely love reading this!

Wish she were far enough along in her career to read more about Abbott! But it's such a nice read. I took my time with it and got to reflect on what she was saying. Very worth the read.

Another review said it best when they mentioned the book was a solid read but that it seemed the author was “grasping at straws.” I got that from several of the passing, little moments, where at one point the tone would be that of chatting to a friend then it should suddenly change into some learning moment/after school special tone. It’s a treatment that was a bit overdone.Nevertheless, it was definitely an entertaining-enough read, and I appreciated reading about a couple of things: her family dynamics, and about how there was a barrier between communicating her experiences as a black woman to her white friends.If you’re going on a trip and need an engaging book.. there are other options.

From her internet antics to her debut novel, Quinta Brunson is consistently grounded, witty, and authentic. Through personal anecdotes, she has provided a glimpse into her journey from the City of Brotherly Love to your TV Screen. With Quinta Brunson as the storyteller, life's mundane regularities become funny and relatable. This memoir is a testament to the tenderness of black girlhood and the value of community- however you find it. Good read!