Yes, Please by Amy Poehler

I just finished listening to Amy Poehler's memoir on a self narrated audiobook.  I found it to be an enjoyable listen with plenty of guest narrators such as Patrick Stewart and Seth Myers.  Amy writes as though she is telling you a story over a glass of wine.  She presents her stories in a tangential manner and jumps around in different periods of her life while talking about a specific theme or idea.  It definitely would be a difficult book to read if you like orderly and organized writing.

I found it enjoyable and it showed her personality in her writing.  It is definitely not a polished and formal novel.  She definitely uses colorful language that reflects her upbringing in suburban Boston.  She is a non-filtered personality that believes strongly in empowering women and aspiring comedians.  Her political feelings are apparent but not so in your face that they are the focus of the story.  They arise as a part of the story she is relaying or about explaining her actions/feelings.

There are definitely stories that required self analysis.  She doesn't paint Hollywood and her life as all roses but it is clear she is happy with her life and how she has chosen to live.  I appreciated that she did not use her story as a means to bash her ex, Will Arnett, and she is civil about him.  She keeps her stories about her boys at an enjoyable level and not as such that they would be overly embarrassed to read them down the road.

I did listen to the book and I wonder if it makes it a bit more enjoyable than it would have been if I had been trying to follow along in a printed format.  If you are looking for a fun read that provides an honest insight into the process of becoming a comedian, writer and successful actress this a a perfect book for you.



Yes Please by Amy Poehler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun memoir that I enjoyed listening to as an audiobook. Amy Poehler is a great storyteller and she included multiple guest narrators that added to the reading. The book is a fun read relaying stories from her childhood all the way up until her final season on Parks and Recreation. It is a great look at all the steps it takes to become a successful writer and actress. There are glimpses of her life outside Hollywood, including her 2 sons and her relationships with friends and family.

It is an enjoyable read but if you prefer books that are chronological and organized this is not the book for you. I enjoyed the format of the rambling like story telling that jumps from topic to topic but if this isn't your style you won't enjoy the book in my opinion. If you are looking for a fun read with a glimpse behind the scenes of the Hollywood life then you will enjoy the book.


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #42
2. Audiobook challenge  #7
3. AtoZ and Alphabet soup challenge #AlphabetSoupChallenge- "Y"
4. Book List Queen #17 Celebrity Memoir
5. Memoirs-  #21 Humorous memoir

Astrophyics for People in a Hurry

I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  I listened to this audiobook which was narrated by the author.  Neil deGrasse Tyson is a wonderful narrator.  I found this book to be engaging and funny.  The material can be heavy at times but with a basic understanding of atoms, light waves and general chemistry you can follow his discussions.   

I selected this book based upon recommendations in several of my reading groups I have joined this year.  I picked it as the book I read on a topic I know nothing about.  I had a very basic understanding of astronomy and a recent refresh of particle and light wave concepts from helping my HS son study for chemistry.  Neil deGrasse Tyson does a great job of making the subject interesting and engaging.  My only caution is to be sure you can focus on the text as you listen as often times I found myself drifting and having to go back.  This is not a book you can just drop back in on after missing a sentence or 2.  

I can recommend this book if you are at all interested in space, the evolution of our universe or general desire to expand your knowledge

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The author is the narrator and he did a great job of making it understandable and fun. He does not make it too difficult to understand, rather he explains things in a way that people with a basic understanding of particles, light and wave concepts and general chemistry can follow along. It is necessary to be able to focus on the story though as it is not a book you can tune out and then drop back in without losing the gist of the topic. I think this is a book it could be beneficial to read the book versus listening to it. It might be easier to go back to reread a section that you didn't follow initially. But, if you do this, you miss out on a wonderful narration by the author



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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #34
2. Audiobook challenge Book #6
3. Popsugar- #popsugarreadingchallenge #18 on a subject you know nothing about
4. Around the Year in 52 Books- #21 A book related to Maximilian Hell, the noted astronomer and Jesuit Priest who was born in 1720
5. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #28 Title beginning with A
6. Book List Queen #18- New York Times #1 Bestseller
7. Wizading World Tour  possible categories

Winter in Paradise is just that

Elin Hilderbrand does an amazing job of weaving vivid description of St. John's with great characters and plot development in Winter in Paradise.  I thoroughly enjoyed how the story moved between the different characters and how some of the scenes were viewed from multiple individuals' perspectives.

Hilderbrand does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the story and the lives of the characters.   I did feel connections to them, with different emotional reactions to different characters. I did not necessarily like Baker Steele and I felt myself rooting for Cash Steele. Overall, I had great sympathy for Irene, Huck, Ayers and Maya.  I found myself greatly disliking Richard Steele and Anna Steele.

The plot line, while a bit unbelievable at first, is feasible especially given today's nomadic business travel and electronic communication.  It does highlight what can happen if we become too caught up in our selves and don't take interest and involvement in others' lives.

The underlying premise of the story does create a mystery aspect to the book and that mystery is part of the cliffhanger for the sequel.  The other aspect that makes me want to read more is to see how the characters fare and to see what their futures hold.    All in all I enjoyed the book and can recommend it.

I must say the book left me wanting to hop on a plane and head to St. John's while reading the next installment in the series. 



Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand


I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I checked the audiobook out from the library. I really enjoyed reading Hilderbrand's descriptions of St. John as well as her storyline. The character development was well done and I appreciated seeing how the different characters interacted and reacted to a specific event they all had in common. I enjoyed how the story moved between different characters and seeing how specific scenes were perceived by each of the characters.

The mystery portion of the story was intriguing and I cannot wait to read the sequel. All in all a great book.


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book #24
2. Audiobook challenge  Book # 5
3. Literary Escapes-  St. John's USVI
4. Alphabet soup Author- #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge- "E"
5. AtoZ and Alphabet soup challenge #AlphabetSoupChallenge- "W"
6. Wizarding World Tour  possible categories
• Ilvermorny-  Body Part on the cover
7. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #10 a Bestseller
8. Book List Queen #23 A Beach Read
9. NJM #NJMBookChallenge2020  #24  has a season in its title
10. Monthly Keyword-  #MonthlyKeyWordChallenge  Mar- "in"
11. Around the Year in 52 Books- #37  Binary opposites with a book w/ summer or hell in title

Dear Edward....

This book was amazing.  Ann Napolitano did an amazing job with Dear Edward.

 I must admit when I checked it out from the library, I had no idea what the book was about, just that it was a popular pick that everyone seemed to be giving good reviews.  When I discovered it was based around such a tragic event, I was hesitant but moved forward with the audiobook.  I am so glad I didn't skip it to avoid the sad story. 

While it is sad and difficult to read at times, especially since I have a teenage boy, it was overall a satisfying read.  It is a testament to the strength of perseverance and of the human will.  It demonstrates that we all process tragedy and life in our own unique way.   I appreciated Napolitano's development of the characters and their relationships.  It made them feel real.  The novel ends on a positive note that left me feeling happy and optimistic.   See my review from Goodreads below




Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was very well written. I had no idea of the topic when I first started the book and was a bit worried when I realized what it was about. I am not a big fan of the tear jerk novels that often end up on Oprah's book club list. I find those end up upsetting me so much that I cannot enjoy them. Well, this book was not one that has you bawling. It is very poignant and sad at points but I found it more thought provoking then overly sad. The story is well written, alternating between the past in 2013 and the story that is in the future. Napolitano does a wonderful job of showing Edward as human and the struggles he and his family face while trying to move forward from the tragedy they experienced. She really portrays the reality of the fact there is no guide book for dealing with such loss and there is no right or wrong way to handle it. Lacy, John and Edward do their best to move forward. The relationships between them and Edward's with Shay are atypical but honest. I appreciate the closure that is provided at the end of the story and the glimpse of the future that leaves you with a happy view and hope for Edward to have a happy life. I can definitely recommend this book.


View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge -  Book 21
2. Audiobook challenge
3. Wizarding World Tour  
• Beauxbatons: Blue Cover
4. Alphabet soup Author- #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  "N"
5. Popsugar- #popsugarreadingchallenge #6 Bildungsroman
6. Around the Year in 52 Books- #22 A major theme of survival
7. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #28 Literary Fiction
8. What's in a Name #4   Given name in title

Hear ye Hear ye #2020AudiobookChallenge

Well, since I have been enjoying Audiobooks so much this year, I thought I would join a challenge to track what I am actually "reading".  I am trying to listen to the audiobooks when I am driving to and from school and activities.  It's also a great way to distract yourself while working out or walking.

There is an audiobook challenge hosted by Caffienated Reviewer and Hot Listens

Basically it is just a tracking challenge where you will check in twice during the year.  First on June 30, 2020 and then again on December 15, 2020.

Sign up here and then pick a level to try to achieve:.  If you talk about your audiobooks on social meida use their #2020AudiobookChallenge tag.

• √ Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5  
• √ Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
• Stenographer (can listen while multitasking) 10-15  I think I will aim for this
• Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
• Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
• My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+
• The 100 Club (Audiobook Elite) 100+

Here are the details of the challenge

• Runs January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. You can join at any time.
• The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2020 than you did in 2018.
• Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
• ANY genres count.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
• If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweet about the challenge.
• Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. The first update will be June 30, 2020, and the last update will take place on December 15, 2020.

So come listen with me.

Progress    

 7/12 audiobooks read

So far I have completed 7 books.  I am looking for my next book to listen to while waiting on the sequel to Winter in Paradise from my library hold.  The library is a great resource for this media using Overdrive or Libby to listen to them.  Additionally, Chirp is a great newsletter to sign up for and they will send you daily deal emails with specials to purchase audiobooks.  Audible is a great subscription if the library isn't an option for you.

Books Completed

1. Garlic &  Sapphires by Ruth Reichl  NY Times Food Critic memoir  1/14/20 
• blog post;  goodreads review
2. Let's Fake a Deal  by Shelly Harris  1/16/20 
• blog post and Goodreads review
3. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty 2/4/20
• blog post and Goodreads review
4. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano 2/27/20
• blog post and Goodreads review
5. Winter in Paradise by Elin Hildebrand 3/9/20
• blog post and Goodreads review
6. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil delGrasse Tyson  4/8/20
• blog post and Goodreads review
7. Yes, Please by Amy Poehler 5/11/20
• blog post and Goodreads Review
8. 
   

Books in Progress

1. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett- narrated by Tom Hanks
2. Wizard : The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius by Marc Seifer 
3. Shrill  by Lindy West reading on hold until book available at library again