Want an “at a glance” look at what I thought? Check out my Review On A Post-It or my “Final Thought”
It’s part-memoir and part life lessons/advice from comedian Amy Poehler.
Can we be friends, Amy?? I mean, we don’t even have to be BEST friends but like I’d be down for being even like your second or third string friends.
I really like Amy Poehler and have heard good things about this one as far as celebrity memoir type books go so I decided to give this one a go. I really enjoyed reading it though I think, from all I’ve heard, I would have had an even BETTER experience if I had listened to the audio because apparently it’s amazing and she reads it and other comedians contribute to it as well (although in the book I loved some of the pages that had images on them which you obviously wouldn’t be able to SEE). It’s a really funny and wise book with warm personal memories and blunt wisdom.
I loved learning more about Amy’s career — how she started and what her path looked like. I loved getting a sense of her family and friends and just learning more about her as a person. I also really enjoyed these behind the scenes look at Hollywood and the fame scene — it was so fascinating! I especially loved learning who has inspired her and helped her along the way. I think fans of Amy Poehler will definitely love getting to know her on a more personal level. I know I definitely did!
I also really enjoyed that, in addition to being a memoir, it was littered with life lessons, advice and just really great insights/observations about life. I think she is an extraordinary woman and I love how real she is in this book. Loved so much of what she had to say! She’s living such a fun, crazy and authentic life and it’s inspiring. This was a good reminder just to have fun with life!
I can’t say it was a favorite book by any means or that I walked away with crazy life-changing insight (though I did walk away like HELL YEAH STRONG, FEMINIST LADIES DOING AWESOME THINGS) but it was really enjoyable to “get to know” a celebrity you really like a bit better and see how she’s risen in comedy which has always been so male dominated which is so inspiring.
Some of my favorite quotes:
1. “Good for her! Not for me. That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again. Good for her! Not for me.” <—- good life advice, ladies! Amy on women who make different life choices than us but she was specifically talking about childbirth and how she chose drugs rather than natural childbirth.
2. “Telling me to relax or smile when I’m angry is like bringing a birthday cake into an ape sanctuary. You’re just asking to get your nose and genitals bitten off.” FOREVER LOLS but so true! I hate that!
3. “You have to be where you are to get where you need to go.”
4. “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.”
5. “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. See what I just did there? I saved you thousands of dollars on self-help books. If you can surf your life rather than plant your feet, you will be happier.”
6. “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.” <— LOVED her whole essay on technology and being in the moment. It was everything I’ve been thinking lately but she was so poignant and spot on in saying it.
+ writing, entertainment value, Amy’s openness
– some bits I kind of skimmed through because I wasn’t as interested
Re-readability: Probably not though I would be inclined to audiobook it from the library in the future.
Would I buy a copy for my collection? No (I only keep books I would reread or are favorites).
fans of Amy Poehler, people who want to read an actually good celebrity-written book
I highly recommend if you are a fan of Amy Poehler — it’s a good mix of memoir and life wisdom and insight. I felt like I got to know her better as a person and came out respecting and loving her even more. It’s funny, charming and wise — much like Amy herself — and I appreciate how candid she was. I’d recommend maybe doing it on audio unlike me because I’ve heard it’s an even better experience.
* Have you read this one? What did you think? Similar or different from me? I would LOVE to hear regardless!
*If you haven’t read it, does it feel like something you’d be into?
What other celebrity written books have you enjoyed?
Mackenzie says
I’ve never really seen Amy Poehler in anything, but I picked this up because I heard she was hilarious. And I’m SO glad I did. Her writing style, advice and humour have made me look up her clips on Youtube and I’ve started to watch Parks and Recreation. I spent the entire book laughing, which I feel you don’t often get with a memoir.
Jamie says
Ah I was wondering how people who didn’t really KNOW her/aren’t of fan of her thought about this book so I’m SO glad you commented! I felt like I was biased because I obviously love her haha. And sooo agree..I rarely laugh a lot in a memoir. Most of the memoirs I read are sad haha. I really want to read Tina Fey’s Bossypants because I hear that is great too!
Jen says
I listened to it last year (and bought the psychics book). I love Amy! Listening to it was great. I enjoyed all the “guest stars”. Her and Seth were cute together. You can tell they are such good friends. I go to UCB in LA often, so it was fun to learn more about the beginnings of it in NY. I’m also a big Parks and Recreation fan… So I REALLY enjoyed that section. It was like a love letter to the show and cast.
Jamie says
Ah seeee I wish I would have listened to it!! Maybe one day in the future I will! I loved learning about her friendship with Seth!!
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
This book is next on my audio list. I don’t really know much about Amy Poehler, so it should be interesting. I’ve also heard good things about the audio book, so I’m looking forward to it.
Jamie says
Yes definitely audio it!! It would be even better on audio I think! I will be curious if it makes you a fan of her after!!
Michelle says
I’ve been avoiding this one for some reason, but I recently started watching “Parks & Recreation” on Netflix. I suspect that I will be listening to this after I finish with that series.
Jamie says
Ooh good idea! See I still NEED to watch Parks & Rec. I feel like I watch everything else she’s in but not that!
Cassie (Happy Book Lovers) says
I loved this book! I am a huge Poehler fan, partly because I identify so much with Leslie Knope as a character (especially when she awkwardly rambles and never knows what to say), and partly because Amy is an all-around bad ass role model. Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls is a crazy wonderful group that is supporting so many females of all ages and backgrounds in doing awesome things, and I love how supportive she is of so many things, including women’s sports. So many celebrities are not into sports, so I really appreciate the amount of love and support she shows TONS of different groups and organizations and doesn’t just focus on one. Also, if she sees something she likes, she helps people achieve their dreams (um, Broad City anyone?). And I would totally be cool with being second/third string friends too (though I am open to first, you know, just in case) 🙂
Jamie says
I so agree! She is such an all around badass role model. I loved learning about Smart Girls. This reminds me that after I read it I wanted to check it out! Thanks for that reminder!!!
WE ARE HERE AND WAITING IF YOU NEED AWESOME FIRST STRING FRIENDS, AMY!!!
Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life says
I’m not like the BIGGEST Amy Poehler fan, but I really love what I’ve seen of her! I’ve been trying to dive into more nonfiction lately, and this one seems like a great one to be able to pick up. I’m loving the sound of the mix of life, advice, and feminism (YES to that one, haha. Love seeing females being empowered!). I think it would be super interesting to go into the behind the scenes about Hollywood and all that- since that’s something I’ve always wondered about, you know? Plus seeing someone’s life story is always so fascinating.
Lovely, lovely review Jamie! <33
Jamie says
Yes I think you would really enjoy this one based on what you are saying!! Esp if you don’t read non-fiction a lot. It’s really engaging! I looooove books that take me behind the scenes in Hollywood..it’s so fascinating!!
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
I haven’t seen many things with Amy in it, but she sounds like an inspiring person. I’m not a big fan of memoirs, but this is one of those books I might pick up when I feel like it 🙂
Jamie says
Yes it’s definitely a good one when you are craving a non-fiction book and want to make sure you are getting a really engaging one!
Chrystal says
I thought the same thing when I listened to the audiobook… I want to be friends with Amy so bad. LOL
And I love the quotes you picked. I keep trying to remind myself of this one: “Good for her! Not for me. That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again. Good for her! Not for me.”
Ashley says
I didn’t know I could love Amy Poehler more than I already did, but I respected her so much after reading this book. It was definitely empowering even though it was totally different from what I was expecting. I’ve been trying to get all my friends to read it. Good for her not for me has worked it’s way into my vocabulary.