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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
This book is one which I never truly planned to pick up because, although I knew who Amanda was because of her marriage to Neil Gaiman, I never really had followed her or her career. This doesn't really matter when you read this book though because even if you don't know her at all, you can connect and be inspired by elements of her story, her life and the ideas she lives by.
The format I read this in was audiobook, which was definitely a good choice. It meant that it was narrated by Amanda herself, and was accompanied by the music that she has written in the past which connected to moments of her life and story. I think being able to see the story the way she intended it, by listening to her narration, meant that I found her a rather inspiring lady all around, and she's been through a lot of adventures - both good and bad.
The story itself is mostly a combination of memoir meets manifesto with various moments of insight into stories of her life, and also snapshots and advice about what she believes. You do certainly get a feeling for her crazy, wild life whilst reading this book.
There are some things that Amanda says and believes in applying significance to which changes the whole dynamic of an encounter or moment. I found the way that she viewed and thought about art to be both enticing, a little bizarre, and very interesting at all points of the book.
Finally, I read this in a day and a bit (or rather listened to it) and it is super quick to get through, so I would certainly say that it is an easy non-fiction to read. As someone who doesn't really read a lot of non-fiction, the conversational tone felt friendly and confiding all at once - a great mix. I ended up giving this a 4*s on the whole, and it's a book which is well worth checking out!
The format I read this in was audiobook, which was definitely a good choice. It meant that it was narrated by Amanda herself, and was accompanied by the music that she has written in the past which connected to moments of her life and story. I think being able to see the story the way she intended it, by listening to her narration, meant that I found her a rather inspiring lady all around, and she's been through a lot of adventures - both good and bad.
The story itself is mostly a combination of memoir meets manifesto with various moments of insight into stories of her life, and also snapshots and advice about what she believes. You do certainly get a feeling for her crazy, wild life whilst reading this book.
There are some things that Amanda says and believes in applying significance to which changes the whole dynamic of an encounter or moment. I found the way that she viewed and thought about art to be both enticing, a little bizarre, and very interesting at all points of the book.
Finally, I read this in a day and a bit (or rather listened to it) and it is super quick to get through, so I would certainly say that it is an easy non-fiction to read. As someone who doesn't really read a lot of non-fiction, the conversational tone felt friendly and confiding all at once - a great mix. I ended up giving this a 4*s on the whole, and it's a book which is well worth checking out!
I honestly can't remember the last time I cried so much reading a book.
Disclaimer: I've been a fan of hers since 10th grade, I knew this want a how to book, I knew it was a memoir. You might have different feelings admit this book if you don't fit intothose categories. But I have to say that she does such a great job explaining who she is and what her story is that I really think this will appeal to a much wider audience than just people who are already well versed in her antics and controversy.
This book isn't really how to. You Erik not learn how too very the guts to all for help. there are no practical tips. This is not the book you are looking for. Instead in this book you will find poignant and heartfelt stories about coming to terms with merging help and coming to terms with trusting people.
There is an entire chunk in this book dedicated to navigating her marriage and realizing that even with all of her personal manifestos on song and giving and grace, that she'll never stop learning to ask. Their will never be a punt n your life Weber all off your communication is flawless and you know how to get what you need from the right people. You are always learning to communicate. You are always having too ask and people will never know how best to help you, even if they know you best, f you don't ask.
I loved this book. I want everyone to read this book if only because it will help you see that all the fears you've ever had are found in everyone else too. Your hesitation is universal. We all feel this way too. It's nice to read something you can empathize with.
Do yourself a fair and pick up this book, if you'd like to borrow my copy off be more than happy to loan it to you.
Disclaimer: I've been a fan of hers since 10th grade, I knew this want a how to book, I knew it was a memoir. You might have different feelings admit this book if you don't fit intothose categories. But I have to say that she does such a great job explaining who she is and what her story is that I really think this will appeal to a much wider audience than just people who are already well versed in her antics and controversy.
This book isn't really how to. You Erik not learn how too very the guts to all for help. there are no practical tips. This is not the book you are looking for. Instead in this book you will find poignant and heartfelt stories about coming to terms with merging help and coming to terms with trusting people.
There is an entire chunk in this book dedicated to navigating her marriage and realizing that even with all of her personal manifestos on song and giving and grace, that she'll never stop learning to ask. Their will never be a punt n your life Weber all off your communication is flawless and you know how to get what you need from the right people. You are always learning to communicate. You are always having too ask and people will never know how best to help you, even if they know you best, f you don't ask.
I loved this book. I want everyone to read this book if only because it will help you see that all the fears you've ever had are found in everyone else too. Your hesitation is universal. We all feel this way too. It's nice to read something you can empathize with.
Do yourself a fair and pick up this book, if you'd like to borrow my copy off be more than happy to loan it to you.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this, and then by the end I realized I loved it.
Part of being unsure about this book was that it took me a while to realize it was part memoir. Once I accepted that, I liked it. This book is Amanda's journey as an artist, a girlfriend, wife, musician, performer, and a human in the public eye. It's refreshing, honest, and inspiring, even though I can't imagine being half as brazen as she is.
Part of being unsure about this book was that it took me a while to realize it was part memoir. Once I accepted that, I liked it. This book is Amanda's journey as an artist, a girlfriend, wife, musician, performer, and a human in the public eye. It's refreshing, honest, and inspiring, even though I can't imagine being half as brazen as she is.
Listened to it as audiobook and that's the way to go. She incorporated her original music, and it was read by the author. Great insight into building relationships with the people who support your art. The voyeur in me really appreciated the parts about her relationship with Neil Gaiman, because I admire both of their work so much.
I will preface this by saying that I honestly had never heard of Amanda Palmer until this book was recommended to me. So, my experience is not that of fan or follower, it is strictly from a reader perspective. And ugh, this one was not enjoyable for me...as a reader.
First of all, yes, I do realize that memoirs are supposed to be personal but this book is so self-centered it's difficult to digest. Through the stories and anecdotes shared, it is very clear that Amanda thinks highly herself and her writing; that's great (truly). I, on the other hand, did not find Amanda Palmer to be a palatable writer.
Overall, not enjoyable for me. I wouldn't recommend this to people who are already not a fan of Amanda Palmer or who care about the substance of a book.
First of all, yes, I do realize that memoirs are supposed to be personal but this book is so self-centered it's difficult to digest. Through the stories and anecdotes shared, it is very clear that Amanda thinks highly herself and her writing; that's great (truly). I, on the other hand, did not find Amanda Palmer to be a palatable writer.
Overall, not enjoyable for me. I wouldn't recommend this to people who are already not a fan of Amanda Palmer or who care about the substance of a book.
generous and open
Amanda Palmer took the risk of trusting herself to write and us to receive, and it paid off. This book was beautiful and so generous in the way it openly shares her truth and experience.
Amanda Palmer took the risk of trusting herself to write and us to receive, and it paid off. This book was beautiful and so generous in the way it openly shares her truth and experience.
I have very conflicted feelings about this book. On the one hand, some of her more philosophical discussions on love, sharing, trust, and vulnerability were truly enlightened and eye-opening. On the other, her detailed descriptions of conversations with her husband or her friend, Anthony, seemed simultaneously mundane and self-indulgent. Yes, we get it, you feel like a fraud, you love your fans even if there is public backlash, you're an artist with a very naked (literally and figuratively) way of dealing with the world. Her style of interacting with the world is so foreign to me - putting emotion so far out ahead of logic, falling in love with everyone at the drop of a hat. It was good to read something so alien, because that can often show you more truths than something you agree with, but I was a bit relieved when the book finally came to an end.
I was initially going to give this a 2/5, but Amanda's pursuit of empathy is commendable, and I can't judge her for that. She is very privileged, but she seems self-aware and sensitive to that fact.
The book was tedious, though. I don't think it needed to be about "asking" all the time (even if that's her life's ethos). Might have translated better a documentary.
The book was tedious, though. I don't think it needed to be about "asking" all the time (even if that's her life's ethos). Might have translated better a documentary.
2018: After a couple of days when I would have turned this book on during a long drive and chose to listen to something else, I realized I just wasn’t into this book. It’s more of a memoir than I was thinking it would be and, since I’m not familiar with the author, was not interesting to me.