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1.03k reviews for:
The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help
Amanda Palmer
4.1 AVERAGE
1.03k reviews for:
The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help
Amanda Palmer
4.1 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I like Amanda Palmer's music. I really, really do. I've been a fan since little fourteen year old me first heard Girl Anachronism. I burned copies of the The Dresden Dolls first album for everyone I knew. I sang along to Yes, Virginia while I learned to drive. I blasted Theatre is Evil in my ears on repeat as I sat in endless waiting rooms while my Dad bounced between hospitals. I am a fan of the music.
I am far less sure of Amanda Palmer herself. She claims to love her fans, but still refuses to admit not paying musicians after fans handed her a million dollars is a shitty thing to do. She slaps a "feminist icon" label on herself and never once mentions how she railed against critics who felt she was using disability as a costume and a joke during the Evelyn, Evelyn days. There's no mention of how she defended Jian Ghomeshi after he was accused of sexual assault. "I love and support all women", she says while pretending to rape a Katy Perry cutout on stage.
I hate this disconnect because how can someone so iffy write songs that express what I'm feeling so well? I thought maybe this book would address some of her fuck ups and let me see things from her perspective. It absolutely did and this perspective is NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO CRITICIZE ME BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS RIGHT..
I don't even have a gif for how disappointed I am.
This book is the worst goddamn roller coaster I've ever been on. You'll have pages of gorgeous writing that invokes beautiful imagery and humanity and then you turn a corner and get punched right in the fucking face. This book gave me trust issues. I cried as she described the aftermath of her abortion, only to turn around and consider if anyone has even eaten a library book about of rage as she claims internet feminists just don't have a sense of humor.
If the only way you can address criticism is by plugging your ears and throwing on insults, congrats! You're an asshole.
I am far less sure of Amanda Palmer herself. She claims to love her fans, but still refuses to admit not paying musicians after fans handed her a million dollars is a shitty thing to do. She slaps a "feminist icon" label on herself and never once mentions how she railed against critics who felt she was using disability as a costume and a joke during the Evelyn, Evelyn days. There's no mention of how she defended Jian Ghomeshi after he was accused of sexual assault. "I love and support all women", she says while pretending to rape a Katy Perry cutout on stage.
I hate this disconnect because how can someone so iffy write songs that express what I'm feeling so well? I thought maybe this book would address some of her fuck ups and let me see things from her perspective. It absolutely did and this perspective is NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO CRITICIZE ME BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS RIGHT..
I don't even have a gif for how disappointed I am.
This book is the worst goddamn roller coaster I've ever been on. You'll have pages of gorgeous writing that invokes beautiful imagery and humanity and then you turn a corner and get punched right in the fucking face. This book gave me trust issues. I cried as she described the aftermath of her abortion, only to turn around and consider if anyone has even eaten a library book about of rage as she claims internet feminists just don't have a sense of humor.
If the only way you can address criticism is by plugging your ears and throwing on insults, congrats! You're an asshole.
Absolutely loved this book (I listened to the audiobook actually - which was a very special treat). I love when people are truly genuine and let themselves be vulnerable. I didn't really know who Amanda Palmer was before I read this book, but now I'm a fan and I have the upmost respect for her. What a lovely person she is. I'm very tired of the politeness and fakeness of society in general - it keeps us from really getting close to each other, of truly understanding each other. I gravitate towards those who want to be honest, transparent, and real. These are characteristics I really admire and respect. If we're not real, then what is the point of anything?
I'm wordy so I'll try to keep this short.
Here is what I can tell you about this book:
This is NOT a self-help book. There are no rules or instructions or laws stating exactly what YOU should do and how YOU should live your life in order to find happiness and peace and love. If you are looking for such things, please look elsewhere.
This IS an autobiography of an artist. It tells the story of how she found love, peace and happiness by taking the chance and asking of people - for the sake of her self and her art. This is the story of an artist who has worked incredibly hard for every bit she has gained, and an artist who has wholeheartedly felt every second of her journey.
My biggest thought throughout was this:
Firstly, you get back what you put into this world. If you are happy, positive, and open then even the bad things that do happen won't feel so bad. People will love to step up to help. If you are negative, antagonistic, and aggressive then the bad things will be all the worse and the good will be a lot harder to hold on to and when you need it, fewer people will be willing to pitch in to help.
Secondly, it's not easy. It takes effort, but with an attitude of love and perseverance - and of course, if you ask for the things you need - you will be amazed at what can happen.
It's not that Amanda has solely had a very fortunate life, it's who she is that made everything possible. For some of us, that is an inspiration.
On a personal note, this story resonated with me for a couple reasons.
First, I know firsthand what it is like to feel so connected to a group of random people who end up involved in a great happening. The incredible energy of a great show and the interactions that follow - it feels amazing and for those few hours no one is alone and no one is a loser and everyone is loved in that shared experience of awesome. It feels beyond amazing, and it's a feeling I deeply miss. There's a lot to be said for the power of shared experience.
Secondly, I have a crippling and utterly debilitation fear of asking. Yet, I offer and give without hesitation, always. I only take the donuts out of absolute near-desperate no-possible-alternative need. I went out and "got a job". I am a work in progress, always. I take the steps I am comfortable with (and sometimes that i'm uncomfortable with) to get better. Sometimes, when I'm lucky I have awesome people around me who give me a good push (or shove) when I need it. Still, I am not brave enough to trust my art. Someday maybe I will be. This was a nice inspiration to try harder to do better (and to re-read Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, its short and sweet and truth.)
To Amanda: Thank you for sharing.
Here is what I can tell you about this book:
This is NOT a self-help book. There are no rules or instructions or laws stating exactly what YOU should do and how YOU should live your life in order to find happiness and peace and love. If you are looking for such things, please look elsewhere.
This IS an autobiography of an artist. It tells the story of how she found love, peace and happiness by taking the chance and asking of people - for the sake of her self and her art. This is the story of an artist who has worked incredibly hard for every bit she has gained, and an artist who has wholeheartedly felt every second of her journey.
My biggest thought throughout was this:
Firstly, you get back what you put into this world. If you are happy, positive, and open then even the bad things that do happen won't feel so bad. People will love to step up to help. If you are negative, antagonistic, and aggressive then the bad things will be all the worse and the good will be a lot harder to hold on to and when you need it, fewer people will be willing to pitch in to help.
Secondly, it's not easy. It takes effort, but with an attitude of love and perseverance - and of course, if you ask for the things you need - you will be amazed at what can happen.
It's not that Amanda has solely had a very fortunate life, it's who she is that made everything possible. For some of us, that is an inspiration.
On a personal note, this story resonated with me for a couple reasons.
First, I know firsthand what it is like to feel so connected to a group of random people who end up involved in a great happening. The incredible energy of a great show and the interactions that follow - it feels amazing and for those few hours no one is alone and no one is a loser and everyone is loved in that shared experience of awesome. It feels beyond amazing, and it's a feeling I deeply miss. There's a lot to be said for the power of shared experience.
Secondly, I have a crippling and utterly debilitation fear of asking. Yet, I offer and give without hesitation, always. I only take the donuts out of absolute near-desperate no-possible-alternative need. I went out and "got a job". I am a work in progress, always. I take the steps I am comfortable with (and sometimes that i'm uncomfortable with) to get better. Sometimes, when I'm lucky I have awesome people around me who give me a good push (or shove) when I need it. Still, I am not brave enough to trust my art. Someday maybe I will be. This was a nice inspiration to try harder to do better (and to re-read Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, its short and sweet and truth.)
To Amanda: Thank you for sharing.
Amanda Palmer is a Certified Fresh And Interesting Human Being, and if she writes another book, I will definitely read it.
I'm not super familiar with her music. I first heard of her a couple of years ago when Jenny Lawson (the Bloggess) posted a youtube link on her blog to Amanda's music video of "In My Mind," and I LOVED it, but I didn't really explore her work further. I'm definitely going to, now. I think it's like when I first started listening to Veruca Salt - initially I wasn't into them much at all, but once I started really hearing the lyrics, it clicked for me. I think I needed to see some of Amanda's lyrics written out. All of the songs she included in this book really spoke to me, and the book itself really spoke to me. It definitely jumps around; by design, there's really no sense of chronology and you kind of have to piece it together.
I imagine this is exactly how her brain works ("This tornado loves you, this tornado loves you, this tornado loves you, what will make you believe me?").
I found it to be a really interesting look into the life and mind of an artist, and it made me have a good think about my own relationships to art and life and other people, which to me is the mark of a good book.
I'm not super familiar with her music. I first heard of her a couple of years ago when Jenny Lawson (the Bloggess) posted a youtube link on her blog to Amanda's music video of "In My Mind," and I LOVED it, but I didn't really explore her work further. I'm definitely going to, now. I think it's like when I first started listening to Veruca Salt - initially I wasn't into them much at all, but once I started really hearing the lyrics, it clicked for me. I think I needed to see some of Amanda's lyrics written out. All of the songs she included in this book really spoke to me, and the book itself really spoke to me. It definitely jumps around; by design, there's really no sense of chronology and you kind of have to piece it together.
I imagine this is exactly how her brain works ("This tornado loves you, this tornado loves you, this tornado loves you, what will make you believe me?").
I found it to be a really interesting look into the life and mind of an artist, and it made me have a good think about my own relationships to art and life and other people, which to me is the mark of a good book.
Great, easy read exploring why often see asking as begging.
"Those who ask without shame are viewing themselves in collaboration with-rather than in competition with-the world." What makes some kinds of asking shameful and other asking expected?
"If you want to know what you believe, ask the people you have taught"
Also: her music is rad, a favorite of mine being In My Mind, so ch-ch-ch-check it OUT.
"Those who ask without shame are viewing themselves in collaboration with-rather than in competition with-the world." What makes some kinds of asking shameful and other asking expected?
"If you want to know what you believe, ask the people you have taught"
Also: her music is rad, a favorite of mine being In My Mind, so ch-ch-ch-check it OUT.
This is my second time reading this book. However, this time I did not actually read it...Amanda did.
The terrible thing about a long commute is the loss of free time. Reading time was forever lacking. My brain longed for things to think of other than the stress of work. And then I found my local library's digital catalog offers audiobooks. I've loved everyone that I've read. This one was no exception.
I read this for the first time two years ago. I was struck by the notion of asking, But not wholly convinced that that could ask. Fast forward two years. I see the book available in the library catalog and I borrow it. I read it each day to and from work for a little over a week. I became terribly overtaken by emotion. Hearing Amanda speak her message hit me like a ton of bricks. But in the best possible way. I still don't think I'll ever ask to the extent that she does. But I think that people could all use a little more human connection. And there is nothing like the vulnerability of asking. I very much recommend this book.
The terrible thing about a long commute is the loss of free time. Reading time was forever lacking. My brain longed for things to think of other than the stress of work. And then I found my local library's digital catalog offers audiobooks. I've loved everyone that I've read. This one was no exception.
I read this for the first time two years ago. I was struck by the notion of asking, But not wholly convinced that that could ask. Fast forward two years. I see the book available in the library catalog and I borrow it. I read it each day to and from work for a little over a week. I became terribly overtaken by emotion. Hearing Amanda speak her message hit me like a ton of bricks. But in the best possible way. I still don't think I'll ever ask to the extent that she does. But I think that people could all use a little more human connection. And there is nothing like the vulnerability of asking. I very much recommend this book.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I savoured this book for months and months, and am a little sad it's over, but also ready to let it simmer for a while and then pick it up again for a reread. (A rare thing for me!)
Okay, so my introduction to Amanda Palmer was actually through Neil Gaiman. If you know me at all as a reader, it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Gaiman. He married Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls a few years back, and I started paying attention to her. I liked how outspoken she was, how honest, how seemingly fearless. And I thought they as a couple seemed really adorable and in love, even though they are incredibly different.
When I saw she had written a book, I figured someday I would get around to it. After finishing another audiobook recently, I picked this one up to see how it was, not really knowing what to expect. I figured it would be an added bonus, though, that Amanda herself read the audiobook.
First, let me say, if you want to read this, I HIGHLY suggest the audiobook. I could honestly listen to Amanda speak all day long. Her voice is so calm and soothing, even though she has such a larger-than-life personality. I loved it. In addition, though, her songs are interspersed throughout the audio version, which really enhanced the listening experience for me, despite not really being a fan of her music in the past. It was great having her talk about different experiences in her life, and then listen to one of her songs, that touched on those experiences.
Although I knew some of the stories in the book from having read Amanda's blog or Neil's blog, there was so much here I didn't know. The book gave me a newfound respect for her, and the work she's done in the name of her art. While the book does touch on "asking" in general, a lot of the focus is on the give and take between artist and fan, or even artists with other artists.
I just thought this was a fun, interesting audiobook, and could honestly have just listened to her talk forever. Highly recommend.
When I saw she had written a book, I figured someday I would get around to it. After finishing another audiobook recently, I picked this one up to see how it was, not really knowing what to expect. I figured it would be an added bonus, though, that Amanda herself read the audiobook.
First, let me say, if you want to read this, I HIGHLY suggest the audiobook. I could honestly listen to Amanda speak all day long. Her voice is so calm and soothing, even though she has such a larger-than-life personality. I loved it. In addition, though, her songs are interspersed throughout the audio version, which really enhanced the listening experience for me, despite not really being a fan of her music in the past. It was great having her talk about different experiences in her life, and then listen to one of her songs, that touched on those experiences.
Although I knew some of the stories in the book from having read Amanda's blog or Neil's blog, there was so much here I didn't know. The book gave me a newfound respect for her, and the work she's done in the name of her art. While the book does touch on "asking" in general, a lot of the focus is on the give and take between artist and fan, or even artists with other artists.
I just thought this was a fun, interesting audiobook, and could honestly have just listened to her talk forever. Highly recommend.