Sunday, April 23, 2017

Bookish Thoughts: Yes Please by Amy Poehler

I was in fourth grade and in trouble. ~ Opening of Yes Please


Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Harper Audio, 2014
Nonfiction; 7 hrs, 31 min
Source: Purchased for my own listening pleasure.

Goodreads Summary: 
In Amy Poehler’s highly anticipated first book, Yes Please, she offers up a big juicy stew of personal stories, funny bits on sex and love and friendship and parenthood and real life advice (some useful, some not so much), like when to be funny and when to be serious. Powered by Amy’s charming and hilarious, biting yet wise voice, Yes Please is a book full of words to live by.

Also included? A one-night-only live performance at Poehler's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Hear Amy read a chapter live in front of a young and attractive Los Angeles audience.
Amy Poehler wasn't a name I was too familiar with until listening Tine Fey's Bossypants. After that, I had it in the back of my mind that I needed to read Yes Please. I am adding both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to my list of celebrities I wish I could be friends with. Amy Poehler is funny, and real, and smart, and I wish she was my best friend. I like how honest she comes across, how genuine. I could relate to many of the stories she shared, especially about motherhood, love and friendship. I even didn't mind the Hollywood stories, and enjoyed hearing about her struggles as an up-and-coming comedian/actress, which I wasn't as interested in.

I had never watched Parks and Recreation before listening to this book, but hearing Amy Poehler's take on the show as well as her thoughts on her coworkers made me want to. My husband and I are only a few episodes into the first season.

Amy Poehler narrates her own memoir and I enjoyed the experience. She had a variety of guests, including Patrick Stewart, that made this an even more fun book to listen to. I now want to go out and see everything Amy Poehler has been in.


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

26 comments:

  1. I'm not really familiar with her but you've made this sound good so I might give it a try.

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    1. Kathy - I think the audio is worth listening to. I know many people liked Bossypants better, but I think this one is worth checking out too.

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  2. I remember reading Bossypants (although it was long ago enough that I don't have a review for it) and I'm pretty sure I liked it but I've heard mixed things about Amy Poehler. But after reading your review, I think that perhaps I should give the book a go...

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    1. Eustacia - I don't know much about Poehler in general, but I liked how she presents herself in Yes Please.

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  3. I think this is one of those books that need to be enjoyed as an audio book! Now if only I can get used to audio books a bit more.....

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    1. Mareli - This is one of those books I would never pick up in print. Same with most celebrity memoirs. They don't appeal to me in that format. Audio is another matter . . .

      I am still not completely used to audiobooks, for the record, so I understand some of where you are coming from.

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  4. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. I'm not a fan of Amy Poehler, or Tina Fey.

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    1. Vicki - You probably would not enjoy this one or Bossypants then.

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    1. Nise' - I am not completely sold on the show yet, but I hear it gets better after season one, so I'll keep watching.

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  6. When I saw the cover I thought "I hope she went with the audio" and you did! I'm actually not a huge fan of Amy Poehler's typical comedy but I really loved this book. The "good for her, not for me" is pretty much my mantra!

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    1. Katherine - I don't think I could have gotten through the print version. I find this type of book is better in audio. I really like that motto too!

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  7. I enjoyed this one very much as well. I highly recommend Parks & Recreation. Great show.

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    1. Nicole - I am glad you enjoyed this one too! I'm still not sure about the show, but I hear it gets better after the first season, so I'm sure we'll stick with it. :-)

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  8. This sounds like a fun book. Especially since it inspired you to want to see all her movies. :-)

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    1. Stephanie - She comes across as someone I could probably relate to, which always makes it an enjoyable reading experience.

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  9. I have a copy of this audio book in my audible account but haven't listened to it yet. I really don't know a lot about her but she does seem to be everywhere. I like that she narrates this book and I didn't realize that there were guests. Even better!

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    1. Carole - I hope you like it when you get to it! I hadn't really known much about her before listening to it either.

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  10. I really enjoyed this one and wished I had listened to it. She is great and I love Tina Fey ad her book too. Enjoy Parks & Rec!

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    1. Grace - I really like both women too--at least what I know about them. I am glad you enjoyed this one too!

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  11. I've been looking at this one for quite a while. Since I'm not an audiobook "reader," I don't know if I will try it on print. But it definitely sounds good.

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    1. Book Sage - I generally don't like reading these types of books in print. I'm not sure why other than I'm not a big celebrity memoir fan. For some reason, I don't mind them in audio though---particularly if they have comedy mixed in.

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  12. I loved Amy and Parks & Rec! I haven't read this but thanks for reminding me that I need to!

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    1. Stacy - I need to get back to watching Parks and Rec. My husband and I got distracted and haven't gone back to it.

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  13. Just started listening to this one and I'm enjoying it a lot. Glad to hear it won't disappoint.

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