Yes Please – Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler becomes the latest in the recent trend of memoirs from female comedians with Yes Please, a collections of stories about her life and essays imparting some of the life lessons she has picked up along the way.  I have a weird relationship with Poehler, in that I usually enjoy her work, but I don’t normally go out of my way to see any of it.  For example, despite critical acclaim, I have not seen any episodes of Parks and Recreation beyond the pilot.  Following that, I initially had no plans to pick up this book.  Thankfully, events conspired to change my mind.

Around Black Friday, and possibly on Black Friday, Amazon had a deal going on for 30% off any single book.  I looked around and didn’t really see anything that was essential that I get, but, thanks to my previous interest in similar books from Tina Fey and Sarah Silverman, Amazon was suggesting that I go for Amy Poehler’s book.  With the additional discount, this brought the recently published hardcover down to about $10, so I figured why not.  If I enjoyed it half as much as I did Fey’s Bossypants, it would be well worth the cost.

And enjoy it I did.  Poehler is a little older than me, but close enough in age that we shared many of the same pop culture experiences growing up or were in a similar headspace when more current world events were going on.  Plus, she was, for a small time, part of the Chicago comedy scene that I wish I had the courage to either join or enjoy.  She tells tales of her time on SNL, being a mother and the love she has for her children, founding Upright Citizens Brigade in Chicago and moving it to New York, where it grew in to an institution, and much more.  Having finished the book, I was a little sad that I wouldn’t have Amy Poehler in my life anymore.  I wonder if Parks and Rec is streaming on Netflix?