Yes Please

Written by Amy Poehler

Narrated by Amy Poehler

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Do you want to get to know the woman we first came to love on Comedy Central's Upright Citizens Brigade? Do you want to spend some time with the lady who made you howl with laughter on Saturday Night Live, and in movies like Baby Mama, Blades of Glory, and They Came Together? Do you find yourself daydreaming about hanging out with the actor behind the brilliant Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation? Did you wish you were in the audience at the last two Golden Globes ceremonies, so you could bask in the hilarity of Amy's one-liners?

If your answer to these questions is ""Yes Please!"" then you are in luck. In her first book, one of our most beloved funny folk delivers a smart, pointed, and ultimately inspirational read. Full of the comedic skill that makes us all love Amy, Yes Please is a rich and varied collection of stories, lists, poetry (Plastic Surgery Haiku, to be specific), photographs, mantras and advice. With chapters like ""Treat Your Career Like a Bad Boyfriend,"" ""Plain Girl Versus the Demon"" and ""The Robots Will Kill Us All"" Yes Please will make you think as much as it will make you laugh. Honest, personal, real, and righteous, Yes Please is full of words to live by.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781443440608

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler is a writer, actress, producer, and director who is known for her years on Saturday Night Live, her starring role as Leslie Knope on the beloved series Parks and Recreation, as the voice of Joy in Pixar's Inside Out, and for being third runner-up for Most Casual in her high-school yearbook. She lives in New York City and Los Angeles with her two boys. She hopes this book will get her invited for lunch on a fancy yacht with her hero Judge Judy. She is dressed and ready.

Reviews for Yes Please

[maowangvater · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A light and breezy memoir by the comedian, actress and writer with lots of name dropping?this is not intended as a negative criticism; she consistently drops the names of her colleagues as she gives them credit for their good work. Since, as her title implies, relying on and cooperating with her fellow comedians in improvised comedic performances is a necessity for success, she puts it all down in print.

[Carmen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

She’s the modern day superwoman and loved everything about her book.

[fatmashahin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Amy Poehler is a boss. That is all.

[salsabrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Narrated by the author. The best way to read this book is to listen to her own voice. Fun for Amy Poehler fans.

[juva_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A charming and hilarious memoir about making a living through comedy. It's also about being a woman, being a mother, being an actor and being a good person. There is advice and encouragement, but mostly it is just an intimate sharing of a life. Interesting, unique, and always funny.

[bogopea · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Funny, laughs, interesting. Like Tina Fey's memoir better.

[begivens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Highly recommend listening to the audio book version. The attitude of the text was so perfectly conveyed (due in part to the readers). Definitely a fun read (or listen) for a long drive or just anytime.

[justacatandabook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure how to feel about this book. In some ways, I appreciated that it was more serious than some of the other "funny people" memoirs going around. I am not a huge fan of books written by silly people full of silly things that pretend to tell the story of their life. What's the point? At least Amy makes an attempt to write a memoir, chronicling bits and pieces of her life and actually detailing true thoughts and feelings about things, rather than just jokey things that have no meaning. I found myself sort of rushing through some of the silly lists and spending more time on the actual writing, though some of the funny bits were good - fake acceptance speeches and the like.

The problem is that the book jumps around a lot and never really delves too much into anything. Not wanting to cover her divorce - okay, I get that. There is a really sweet chapter on her sons, which was lovely. You get a rough chronicle of how she became a kid from New England who wound up in New York by way of Chicago. But there's not a lot of detail. I also, selfishly, wish there had been more Tina Fey.

I enjoy that you get the impression that Amy is a deep person with deep thoughts - and isn't even perhaps always nice. She's not afraid to tell stories that don't necessarily flatter her. You get an idea of her as multifaceted person - actress, writer, mom, etc., and not just someone who tells funny stories. There are also some good stories that feature celebrities, which you are always looking for in a celebrity memoir. Finally, there's a fun bit annotated with notes by Parcs & Rec creator Mike Schur. He and Amy talk about a holiday gift Mike gave all his family and friends containing every email, text, and phone message he received during the Red Sox's successful World Series run in 2004. I was left thinking I want to read *that* book.

Anyway, the book just felt a little flat to me, as if it was missing something. It was a little disjointed in its presentation and content. Because it jumps the line between serious and funny, you're left without a full idea of who Amy is, but yet it's not funny enough to just make you laugh and forget all the other flaws.

[blogbrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another so-so book to start the year. Lots of shock value. Why did Amy need to write a biography?

[mjlivi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A pretty excellent way to while away a stinking hot day in Melbourne. Funny, warm, inspiring and entertaining, without ever really cohering into any sort of structure or narrative.

[grlintrrptdrdng · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

For a memoir/autobiography it doesn't come off very personal and just kinda scattered. Still entertaining and funny, just could of been better.

[k3ndra28 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I would give Yes Please a 3.5. Amy Poehler is obviously funny with everything she does. The book was funny and sweet and touching but it wouldn't have been as enjoyable if it were anyone else writing it. It works because it is Amy. That is both good and bad.

[howifeelaboutbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’m not a huge Amy Poehler fan but love autobiographies - especially by comedians. Her book was pretty funny, but most of all I loved learning about all she had been through in life; nothing especially outstanding, but that’s what makes it interesting. She had a normal childhood and life, and followed her dreams and accomplished so much. A great read. Very real and inspiration.

[uberbutter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yes Please by Amy Poehler
329 pages

★★★★

I like Amy Poehler and I enjoy her characters, especially Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation. But I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this first book by her, I had heard very mixed reviews. So I picked up the audio version from the library - no loss if I didn’t like it. But I loved it! I think many people who didn’t like it thought it would be all comedy, but it really wasn’t and I actually really enjoyed that about her. I think Amy Poehler was very honest and while there were funny parts she was very heart-felt in many parts. She gives up some great moments in her life and she talks about those that have made a difference (even if not all for the best but she is never rude or mean). I don’t know if I would have liked it quite as well if I hadn’t listened to the audio. Amy was great to listen to and she brought on some guests to read segments such as Patrick Stewart, Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers, and more. If you like Amy Poehler and you go into this knowing it’s not all just a big comedic essay and more a look into her life and thoughts, it’s definitely worth a read (or listen in my case).

[ladykat_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I really wanted to like it. I started listening to the audiobook, which has lots of ad-lib to it which I found painful to listen to. I got to the fourth chapter then DNF'd it. maybe I'll come back to it in book form in the future, but I don't think the style is for me.

[amcheri-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yes, it really was amazing. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE AUDIO BOOK.

I think that's all I really need to say.

[mialro_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved this. Loved that she put old pictures in this. Love her.

[thewestwing-864351 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a fun book. I listened to the audiobook and I think it would be a great introduction to audiobooks for a complete novice as you almost feel like you are just listening to a friend.

[katielibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

the audiobook is fantastic - highly recommend

[ms_rowse · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I told my mom I bought this with a Christmas gift card, she warned me that she had heard it wasn't funny. And I guess, if comparing it to Mindy Kaling or Tina Gey's books, it isn't in that same vein. But I still laughed out loud several times. The preface made me feel so much better about myself as a writer, and her candor and honesty made me feel a little braver as I branch out with my writing. At the same time, though, I appreciated how she wasn't afraid to keep some things to herself, which also made me think about my own writing and wonder if I am a little too transparent.

I really, really loved reading this book. I hope she writes another one.

[nosborm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Listened to this via my girlfriend's Audible app. It was definitely an entertaining look into Amy Poehler's life that was made all the better with her reading it with friends. I also loved Parks and Rec and this gave some great inside looks into that as well.

[amzzz_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love love love Amy Poehler and her book was fine, but not one I’ll treasure forever.

[mickyfine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am supremely late to this one but glad to finally join in the love for it. This is an excellent experience in audio as in addition to Amy Poehler's narration there are also sections read by Patrick Stewart, Carol Burnett, Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Greg Daniels, and her parents. Just as funny, smart, and kind as you'd expect this was a wonderful listening experience from start to finish.

[quinton.baran · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was off-put by the amount of language, and the discussion of casual sex in the book - I only read the introduction and the first chapter. I understand that this is the normal for the vast majority of comedy and entertainment, but I was hoping for better.

[sarah220-732610 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Amy Poehler mixes wisdom, humor, honesty, and fun stories to talk about her life.

[ncdonnas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yes Please isn't my usual type of read but I am such a fan of Amy Poehler therefore it was a must read for me. Poehler's narration of the audiobook was predictably brilliant with so many little extra tidbits and asides.
Several familiar names made an appearance both in the book and narrating the audio such as Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, and Kathleen Turner. I could quote 100 different beautifully written phrases but what resonated with me the most was when she talked about being fully in the moment which makes it possible to "time travel" and the quote below about people not being defined by one event:
“A person’s tragedy does not make up their entire life. A story carves deep grooves into our brains each time we tell it. But we aren't one story. We can change our stories. We can write our own.”
She of course talks about her time on Saturday Night Live as well as Parks and Recreation and her effervescent personality and quirky humor shines through; but there was a depth to Yes Please that I wasn't entirely expecting. This is one of the VERY few audiobooks that I know I will listen to again.

[drfuriosa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amy Poehler is my spirit animal. The end.

[bookishtexpat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved Yes Please with all my being. It was witty, hilarious, sweet, and heartbreaking. Listening to Amy Poehler read the book made the experience so much richer than I think just reading it would have been and I loved the guest readers. I loved the stories, the quips, the way Poehler moved from past to present to super past to present again. It was put together seamlessly. I absolutely recommend Yes Please to everyone, and especially give a big endorsement to the audio book.

[g33kgrrl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed reading this book on paper, and the audiobook is even better. Poehler does an amazing job reading and has some great guests as well.

[bell7_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Amy Poehler writes about growing up in a suburban town outside of Boston, her introduction to improv, and her experiences on the set of Saturday Night Live and Parks & Rec. It's not all fun and games, however, as she also takes on a more serious tone talking about the "demon" that tells us we're not good enough, drugs, and her experiences as a mother to two boys she adores.I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I was more familiar with Amy Poehler's work (I've only seen a few random episodes of Parks & Rec) or didn't have Bossypants to compare it to in the back of my head. That being said, the audio was a fun way to experience the book, as Poehler has guest appearances by Patrick Stewart (reading random haikus, of all things), her parents, Seth Meyers, Michael Schur and more. The last chapter is a live reading with an audience, which was a fun experience as well. The chapters are organized topically, and it was hard to piece together when certain events were happening - I think she loops around a couple of times, and I was able to figure out timing based on whether she was still married or which pregnancy she was referencing. I liked the first half better than the second, but that may just as well have been where I was as a reader rather than anything to do with the book.