Genre: Memoir/Humor
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I really enjoyed this book, and it made me like Amy Poehler more than I did before I read it. Her television series, Parks and Recreation, is a "grown-up comedy" that uses words rather than sight gags to make us laugh. Don't get me wrong, there are some very funny physically driven scenes in the show, but those with an appreciation for sarcasm and irony get the most out of this weekly sit-com. Yes Please is written with a tongue-in-cheek maturity that keeps the reader's attention without talking down to him/her.
Ms. Poehler got my attention when she chose a quote from Wordsworth while trying to set the book's tone - "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity." She amends it slightly by saying that the book is a spontaneous overflow in the middle of chaos, not tranquility. I realized at this point in the book that she was not just writing a typical performer's memoir. She wanted to dig deep and write more than a fluff piece.
Amy Poehler is as complicated as her humor, and this book gives us insight into her childhood (near perfect student, young performer), life (marriage to Will Arnett and two much loved children) and her career. She explains it all with honesty, telling the reader about her experiences with drugs and the withering of her marriage. She doesn't try to cover things up or make excuses. She is what she is...a very funny, very talented lady. I enjoyed the snippets from Parks and Rec, and I enjoyed seeing her succeed as a woman in a " room filled with men."
The book does have its slow parts, but on the whole it was fast and enjoyable reading. I really enjoyed reading it and learning more about Amy and recommend it to you.
- Beverly
Publisher - Dey Street Books
Date of Publication - October 28, 2014
Ms. Poehler got my attention when she chose a quote from Wordsworth while trying to set the book's tone - "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity." She amends it slightly by saying that the book is a spontaneous overflow in the middle of chaos, not tranquility. I realized at this point in the book that she was not just writing a typical performer's memoir. She wanted to dig deep and write more than a fluff piece.
Amy Poehler is as complicated as her humor, and this book gives us insight into her childhood (near perfect student, young performer), life (marriage to Will Arnett and two much loved children) and her career. She explains it all with honesty, telling the reader about her experiences with drugs and the withering of her marriage. She doesn't try to cover things up or make excuses. She is what she is...a very funny, very talented lady. I enjoyed the snippets from Parks and Rec, and I enjoyed seeing her succeed as a woman in a " room filled with men."
The book does have its slow parts, but on the whole it was fast and enjoyable reading. I really enjoyed reading it and learning more about Amy and recommend it to you.
- Beverly
Publisher - Dey Street Books
Date of Publication - October 28, 2014
