I have to admit that I went into this book with high expectations. Because I picked this book right after I had read (and loved) Bossypants. And as television personalities, I liked both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler equally, so I guess I had an unreasonable expectation of liking their memoirs just as much. But that did not happen. Yes Please was kind of a disappointment.
But to be fair, I have to say this book did start out pretty well. It’s just that, after the initial few chapters, it simply did not hold my attention. In-fact the only reason I was able to complete it, was because I heard it on audio vs actually reading it. And typically I race through audio-books, but this one I was listening for months! Again, not because it was a long book, but a not-so-interesting one.
Now don’t get me wrong, I did not hate this book, it simply wasn’t for me. In-fact if you remember my review of Bossypants, I had mentioned that the only thing I did not like about the book was the small section in the middle with all the name dropping and the references to her shows that I did not get.
In Yes Please, that was not a small section in the middle. It was basically the whole entire book, or the majority of it. Which is why I had a difficult time relating to her as a person. And in a memoir, that personal connection is extremely important to me, and I just did not get enough of that from this book.
However, the one good thing that came off reading this book was that she talked about Parks & Recreation SO MUCH, that it made me check it out. And while I wasn’t too impressed by the show in the beginning, as it took me a while to get used to the format, I am pretty addicted to it now.
All in All:
This was an okay read/listen for me. But if you are a die-hard Amy Poehler/Parks & Rec Fan, you may enjoy this one. Especially because you will definitely get all the references.
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That’s all from my end, folks. I would love to hear from you guys. Did you read/listen to Yes Please. How did you find it? Also, Parks & Recreation – such an oddball that show is, but also so very addictive! What do you guys think?
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I’m so behind in my reading. I haven’t read BossyPants yet or even gotten around to an audio book. This one will be way way down on my TBR, if it does remain there.
Obsessivemom recently posted…A Man Called Ove – A Review
Yeah, unless you are a hardcore fan of Poehler/Parks & Rec, you don’t need to keep this one as a high priority. Too many good books!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
I’m in the process of watching Parks and Rec and do find it funny. However, I found 30 Rock funnier I think. I did love Bossypants and had been contemplating this one but I prefer more personal connections in a memoir as you’ve said. So if that’s not there, I don’t think I’m going to bother.
Yeah, Yes Please is a classic case of ‘trying too hard’, and ‘getting nowhere’. In her effort to please everybody, I think she couldn’t really connect with anybody. Or maybe she did connect with the hardcore Parks & Rec fans, especially the ones going through show withdrawal, but for the most part, the personal connection was missing.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
I love Fey and Poehler both. They have a killer sense of humor, but I haven’t read any of their books yet.
After this review maybe I’ll check out Bossypants first.
Soumya recently posted…My Late Journey With Harry Potter: Part 3
Yes, definitely go with Bossypants first. You’ll enjoy it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
I haven’t read the book and after reading your review, I doubt if I will pick it up. I haven’t even heard of her.
Rachna recently posted…Why are Rituals Cruel to Some Women?
Okay then definitely skip this one, ’cause you’d feel like a total outsider reading this. Because I felt the same way, even after knowing who she is, and seeing some of her work (outside of Parks & Rec, that is).
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
I read this book when I didn’t know who Amy Poehler was. (I only know Tina Fey from Mean Girls 😀 )
Neither have I completed the book, nor found out more about Amy Poehler. The constant references were a put-off. An example of how references are to be done in a way that makes a non-knowledgeable reader enjoy a memoir is ‘Is Everyone Else Hanging out without me?’ by Mindy Kaling. I started watching The Office after reading her memoir! That’s how much her writing style and concern for the reader attracted me to her work. Have you read this book? I’m sure you’ll like it too. Because Mindy Kaling writes about her struggles and life experiences, and doesn’t name-drop her way to the last page of the book 🙂
Mithila Menezes @fabulus1710 recently posted…Position Vacant: Best Friend
I have stayed away from Mindy’s books because I haven’t seen her work, so I feared the same thing will happen with her books, and I will not get any references. So thanks for sharing this, it encourages me to pick up her book.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
I love Amy and parks and recreation. So obviously this was on my radar to read some day. But your review is making me doubt if I should.
I love Mandy Kahling (from The Office and Mindy Project) and both her books were fairly entertaining. Maybe you should try it sometime.
Gayathri @ Musings Over Nothing
If you have already seen Parks & Rec, maybe you will get the references, and not feel like an outsider like I did while reading Yes Please?
Oh and yes, I have to check out Mindy Kalings books. I have heard so much about them!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
I love both Amy and Tina Fey. They are so awesome all the time. Haven’t read the books yet. Good that I read your review first 🙂 If there are references to the shows, I will most probably not get it 🙂
Yeah, I had a hard time getting the references too. It wasn’t such a big issue with Bossypants, but if you haven’t watched Parks & Rec, you will feel like an outsider reading Yes Please.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
To be honest, between Fey and Poehler, I’ve always admired Fey’s brand of humour more. It somehow comes much easier to her, I think, as opposed to Poehler. Oh and yeah, the thing about memoir writing is that it’s tricky. How do you write about yourself without making it ALL about yourself? Why do you think that book of mine is taking forever? 😉
It has to have some universal appeal. The personal has to transcend the narrative and become expansive.
Also, I doubt I will ever take to audio books, so congrats on that 🙂
Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted…Self-Worth: How a school assignment helped me
Yeah, I agree, humour does come more naturally to Fey over Poehler , or possibly I can relate to Fey’s brand of humour more than Poehler’s.
As far as memoirs go, I don’t think the issue is that it’s all about them (the authors). It’s their story after-all, so it will be mostly (if not only) about them. But like you said, it does need to have some kind of universal appeal, something that people can relate with, something that people can take away.
Also, no one can relate with everyone, so it’s okay if the memoir doesn’t appeal to everyone. In-fact if the author is trying to appease everyone, it’s very likely they please no one.
Fey makes this memoir business look effortless in Bossypants, while Yes Please seems like it is trying too hard.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
I do keep up with American comedians as far as I can. I have watched a couple of videos featuring Amy and I’m sure I’d enjoy this.
Yeah if you enjoy memoirs you might enjoy this one. It’s kinda all over the place, but I did not mind this as much as I was hearing it vs reading it.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
Thanks for this review, Shantala– this is not up my alley, but I know I can recommend it to a few reader friends in a group.
Damyanti recently posted…Have You Mispronounced Words Cos You’ve Only Ever Read Them? #AmReading
That would be great. Thank you. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
Hi Shantala, well, I haven’t read this book but I do have a major girl crush on Amy. I adored her character in parks & rec. I was a parks & rec employee for many years so can totally relate to the cast of characters, the issues and dynamics in that department—LOL. I have the first season on DVD but it would be nice to see it on Netflix in its entirety (maybe it already is on there?). I’m not in any hurry to read this though. If I saw it on the shelf of a used book store for a few bucks, I’d likely grab it but it’s not on my list.
lisa thomson recently posted…Smokey Summer Update
Yes, yes, Parks & Rec is on Netflix. That is where I am binge-watching it. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review