Amy Poehler has to be one of the coolest women I know. Although I don’t actually know her, I feel like I do after reading Yes Please a compilation of all of her “ideas, stories and questions about the stuff of life, big and small, funny and sad.”
It’s not quite a memoir, not quite an autobiography, but a mix of a little bit of everything. In three parts (Part One: Say Whatever You Want, Part Two: Do Whatever You Like, Part Three, Be Whoever You Are) she covers her childhood, her early acting and improv years, and where she’s at now. As I was reading I was thinking that this would be a great book for young women especially. Some of my favorite pieces of advice:
“It’s called Yes Please because it is the constant struggle and often the right answer. Can we figure out what we want, ask for it, and stop talking? Yes please. Is being vulnerable a power position? Yes please. Am I allowed to take up space? Yes please. Would you like to be left alone? Yes Please…”Yes Please” sounds powerful and concise. It’s a response and a request. It is not about good girl; it is about being a real woman.”
“I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they ‘want to do’ and start asking them what they don’t want to do. Instead of asking students to ‘declare their major’ we should ask students to ‘list what they will do anything to avoid.’ It just makes a lot more sense.”
“Good for her! Not for me. That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again: Good for her! Not for me.”
Also featured: some great anecdotes from her days at SNL, a chapter on Parks and Rec including all her favorite episodes and moments with the cast. The only way I can describe this book is that it is a serious confidence boost, kick-in-the-pants and super inspiring! Not only is it fascinating to read about someone’s life but here is a crazy talented, successful, smart one giving you tips on life and careers. What more could you want?
Hannah's Library 