book review: Yes Please by Amy Poehler

The backstory: I'm a fan of Amy Poehler, but I'm not a fan of Amy Poehler. I don't watch Parks and Recreation, but I've seen some episodes. I do, however, lover her smart, observational humor.

My thoughts: Yes Please is a multimedia memoir of sorts. It's part advice, part reflection, part humorous recollections, part traditional memoir, part essays, part commentary on career, marriage, divorce and parenthood, and all parts awesome. Its awesomeness came in unexpected ways, as well as expected ways. It's a very diverse book.

There are fabulously funny lines, of course:

"Is there a word for when you are young and pretending to have lived and loved a thousand lives? Is there a German word for that? Seems like there should be. Let's say it is Schaufenfrieglasploit."

But there are also fabulously wise lines telling truths that are both simple and profound:

"Change is the only constant. Your ability to navigate and tolerate change and its painful uncomfortableness directly correlates to your happiness and general well-being."

My favorite passages, however, managed to do both:

"Please don't drive drunk, okay? Seriously. It's so fucked up. But by all means, walk drunk. That looks hilarious. Everyone loves to watch someone act like they are trying to make it to safety during a hurricane."

There's a beautiful rawness to this book that comes perhaps from the time in which it was written. Poehler candidly talks about the realities of going through a divorce. She writes with grace, and the moments of pain are still laced with wisdom and humor in a truly magical and beautiful way.

Favorite passage:  "He was the first important person in my life to die, and when he did, it was the first time I realized that life is not fair or safe or even ours to own."

The verdict: I can't fully articulate why I fell so deeply in love with this book. As I read, I was moved, both emotionally and intellectually. I was wowed by both what Poehler managed to accomplish with this book and how unique it is. I can't fully articulate either what this book is or how much it meant to me, but I didn't expect to connect so fully and so deeply. Thanks to the honesty, humor, grace, and wisdom of Amy Poehler, I did.

Rating: 5 out of 5
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: October 28, 2014
Source: library

Convinced? Treat yourself! Buy Yes Please from Amazon (Kindle edition.)

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