Yes Please

Often times my literary ego (aka high school English teacher BS) keeps me from enjoying the memoirs of pop culture icons, but Amy Poehler's "Yes Please" is an artistic triumph. Perhaps entirely because of its imperfections.I would have loved to say "I couldn't put it down!" but my adult years have taught me *some* self-restraint, so I unwittingly bookmarked it a couple times over a few days to get as much work done as possible so as not to arouse suspicion from my superiors.This book, for one beautifully brutal work-week, became my everything. I am so grateful Amy shared her soul with me because this stranger needed her so desperately. She will never know how she has helped me. And that's ok. She also taught me that there are probably a few people who I might have helped this way. Her words grounded me. They validated me. They reminded me why I love to read.Amy Poehler has written a book saturated with witticisms, credos and battle cries. In doing so, she has achieved a rare feat of enchanting her way onto my sacred list of Favorite Authors. This is a difficult task. I am not even on that list. And my writing is something to write home about."Yes Please" is honest, funny and harsh. There are times where I am so deeply entrenched in her disquiet, and I know it, I get it, and I hate it all with her. I have never been a Hollywood actor, or a mother, or a wife, but in some inexplicable interconnected way, her intuition guides my insight into her strange fiction-filled reality.It's her connections in life that she fuses together through a variety of vignettes that she balances with non-sequiturs, footnotes or pure silliness. Oh how I needed those silly parts because sometimes what she had to say wasn't easy to sit with as a person guilty of similar offenses.I am grateful on a pure human level that she seemed wholeheartedly overwhelmed with writing this book and that writing it sometimes just wasn't much fun for her. Not because I wanted her to suffer, but because I often find that the best books to read are, upon closer inspection, labors of love. Her frustration echoes from the sheer weight of the physical book (it's DECEPTIVELY heavy) to her constant avowals of this frustration within the preface, within Seth Meyer's written cameo, and even within her acknowledgements at the end. Be prepared--she complains about how hard it is to write an awful lot. But that's because writing is hard and contingent on connections--real or imagined.Maybe, just maybe, this will convince people to blog less and connect more. Especially if you decided to read the e-book and you must swipe your way guiltily through her chapter on why technology is the devil. (Side note: This book often did a good job of making me feel guilty for choosing the easy way, but Amy Poehler never made me feel alone as I stewed in that guilt. Usually, if she didn't have a brilliant solution to abate that sinking feeling deep within me, she would have a sliver of silver lining and remind me I am just human. Just like she is.)I am in awe of her authenticity. She owed me none of that honesty, but it felt like I was taking a warm bath in estrogen. I was reminded of all the ways women are beautiful creatures with exceptional powers and a unique cadence that we share through our sincerity.I write this review to pay homage to a new legend, even if only in my eyes. Amy Poehler has rejuvenated a very lost soul and I need to celebrate her.In honor of her, I immediately shared my book with my dear friend. At first, she regaled in the density and visual content, like I did, for a few short minutes, then proceeded to open the book and immerse herself in the preface. Out loud, she spoke the words I remembered saying to myself just five short days ago..."I'm on page ix and I've already learned so much!"Thank you, Amy Poehler, for teaching me, reminding me and, most critically, empowering me.

I really enjoy her sometimes sartistic comedy. I liked lots of photos of things someone not humorous would even put in a book.

I have always liked Amy Poehler. After this book, I LOVE HER! Such rawness and honesty is refreshing, that's the kind of people I like and she's exactly like that in this, her first (And hopefully not last) book. Her life story is not very different from the rest, and she knows it. So she makes fun of it and tells her own stories with lots of wit and acid humor... And in her audiobook, she even has special guests to have fun with! Kathleen Turner as her the dark voice in her head is hilarious, Patrick Stewart reading Plastic Surgery Haiku is to die for... And the rest are SO great!!!Her style is not unique, it's very SNL / improv influenced, and it's more than obvious, that's where she worked and absolutely nailed it as Hillary Clinton. Poehler is pretty much a middle-class girl from a standard home she could be anyone of us, but she's an absolute QUEEN of comedy, one of the best children that SNL gave to the world, along with her whole generation (Tina Fey, Rachel Dracht, Maya Rudolph, Seth Meyers, and so many more).She sounds familiar but unique at the same time, she's one of a kind when she laughs and cracks jokes, and punches you right in the heart when talking about her trip to Haiti and her beautiful children. This is not a random writing of silly stories, this is well thought out book filled with inspiring memories, difficult times, lots of reality and straight messages to the reader. There's no subtext here, only a straightforward Poehler doing what she does best and laughing her way through it..And what a run she has!This is not just a book to laugh with, is the story of a life... And what a life she had! I'm sure she can fill up ten books with just stand-up and improve anecdotes (which I'd love to hear), but this debut as a book writer is everything I didn't know I needed in my life.And please, don't miss the audiobook, it's absolutely hilarious!!!

Good read…. Amy Poehler is a pretty cool chickie! I learned a lot about her and recommend anyone who likes her, to read it!

I love Amy Poehler. I love Parks and Recreation. I love some of today's female comediens like Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling. I've read Tina Fey's book. I loved it. I read Mindy Kaling's book. I may have loved that even more. I thought I'd be in for a treat with this book. And I didn't think it was that amazing. I just didn't.I read this on Kindle. I read many reviews saying that you should read this in it's hardcopy form (hard cover or paperback). I looked at the paperback version and I can see why. But I didn't care - I bought it on Kindle. And since I had seen the Paperback version in my hand (and it's heavy by the way), I got the gist of it. So I personally don't think I missed anything getting a Kindle version.I just think writing a book is not for Amy Poehler. I think TV and movies are for her. Just not books.

I'm not an avid reader but I do like to read when I have the time. I bought this book off of the back of Lena Dunham 'Not That Kind' and Tina Fey's 'Bossypants' which I loved! Unfortunately this book doesn't compare, which is such a shame as I'm a big fan of Amy's stand up and acting roles. The book does have moments of hilarity but they are few and overall I found it quite boring and dull. Amy also seems to complain a lot about the fact that she has to write this book? not what you want to read after paying out for it!I have an annoying habit of not being able to give up on a book once I've gotten more than half way through, if not for that I would have!

This is one of those books that contains the sort of advice I wish I'd received as I approached adulthood. Like a caring older friend, Poehler gives great advice on relationships, careers, creativity, and all the while she encourages you to be yourself. The style is a entertaining mixture of short essays and lists, with plenty of show biz anecdotes and a smattering of name-dropping. The stories are warm and light humoured, serious and reflective. Poehler comes across as being humble but also acutely aware of how awesome she is at being herself. You get a sense that writing this book has been a cathartic experience for Poehler which gives the book a reassuring sense of truth and honesty. Perhaps best of all Poehler can talk about womanhood and children with out the gory details of labour. Also I finished it in five sittings. This book reassures the reader that its OK not to be perfect and also that just being yourself is pretty damn perfect too.

I love Parks and Recreation so was interested to read this autobiography. I did enjoy it, but by the end decided that I wouldn't want to spend very much time with the author. People who go into show business, and in particular comedy, tend to do so as they need a high level of attention. It seems to me that Ms Poehler definitely falls into this camp and is determined to show off to the reader. She doesn't always portray herself in a good light, which I think is a good thing, but overall the book is little more than an extended session of her jumping up and down shouting "Look at me!". Largely an enjoyable read but perhaps best read in small doses.

If you're an Amy Poehler fan, this book is a real treat! I became a fan through binge-watching Parks & Rec in lockdown with my partner, and was so happy to discover her as an actress, comedian and writer afterwards.Her stories have a bit of everything: tragedy, comedy, warmth, fun and emotion. Loved it!