Book Review - Yes, Please

I don't think I have met anyone who doesn't love Amy Poehler. She's funny personified. Parks and Recreation is one of my favourite shows I have ever seen in any genre. I knew this was going to be funny, and I knew I was going to enjoy this book. Is that OK to do? To go in with preconceived notions of how you are going to feel about a book? I dunno, I hate when people approach things already with their minds made up that they will hate it, so how is it different if you know you're going to like something before you start it? Sorry, I started monologuing. What I wasn't prepared for is how wildly different the Amy Poehler I got would be to the one I expected. That was a surprise.

A white, suburban, middle class upbringing in Boston isn't the most exciting childhood to write about and I think Poehler did a lovely, touching and funny job of describing her (pretty nondescript) childhood.

"We never locked our door. I had a younger brother whom I loved and also liked. I thought my mother was the most beautiful mother in the world and my father was a superhero who would always protect me. I wish this feeling for every child on earth."

I really enjoyed hearing all about Amy's experiences coming through the improv scene in Chicago, and the foundation of the Upright Citizens Brigade, a little of which I was familiar with from reading Tina Fey's Bossy Pants a few years back. I also found her retelling of living and trying to make it in NYC particularly funny. It was great to read all about the goings on of SNL and when Amy talked about this part of her career, you could almost feel the electricity.

As a personality, I was expecting a cross somewhere between the sassy Golden Globes host Amy and Leslie Knopes from Parks and Recreation. I wasn't expecting a character full of drug stories and tales of anger management issues - a surprise indeed! It was a funny read, trying to marry this side of her character with moments when she displays utter humanity, love and kindness.

"The only way we will survive is by being kind. The only way we can get by in this world is through the help we receive from others. No one can do it alone, no matter how great the machines are."

Overall it was a very enjoyable read, with lots of poignant moments mixed with moments of pure hilarity. Recommended.

Overall score - 4/5