“Bernie Sanders Guide To Political Revolution” – Bernie Sanders

Literally a guide to political revolution. The plot is in the title.

If you know anything about Bernie Sanders, which I’m presuming anyone who is over the age of safe side 18 does, you know that he is very invested in completely revamping the entire political system. He not only wants change, but a complete revolution. Healthcare for all, for the rich to be held accountable for their actions, for equality and justice. This independent senator from Vermont stirs a lot of pots and isn’t afraid to say exactly what he thinks is wrong with literally everything. He’s kind of the cranky grandpa at dinner… which is 90% of the reason I love him.

This book was a literal guide… it outlines the problems he feels need to be addressed and then it solved them. It outlined what we as individuals can do to make the world better and to change/shake up the system. It was a very quick read and very informative. Lots of data and statistics. I’m still waiting to read “Our Revolution” which is on waitlist from the library as I feel that will be more personable and kind of more what I’m looking for. Don’t get me wrong I love the guide, but I like to connect with the person more than the politics. So this is a great book for a how-to-guide (as the title states).

After reading Clinton’s book I was on a political kick (really it all started with Obama). I wanted to somehow feel that inspiration and the determination that I felt those days in the primaries, and then on the campaign trail. I wanted to feel the hope of being able to change things, of being able to keep the country moving progressively upward. I wanted to feel these people I had come to look up to and love speaking to me again, talking about change, hope, and the future. This book does that in a very technical informative way. It’s a by the book (pardon the pun) outline for how we can keep progressing even with less than favorable people in positions of power.

The guide was empowering, informative, and inspiring, like Bernie himself. He is a truly wonderful leader and I believe we need more of his idealism in our lives.

Happy reading!

“Yes Please!” – Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler’s honest and humorous autobiography explores her life on SNL, her work in the theatre, sketch comedy, growing up in Massachusetts, the struggles of being a woman, motherhood, marriage, divorce… the book is about Amy, who she is, what she aspires to be. It’s also inspiring, motivational, and funny. Just like Amy.

I’ve been a little bit on a memoir/autobiography kick lately (waiting for Hills new book to come in!) I recently read “Dreams From My Father” and of course a few others in recent history. I like reading about funny, warm, charming, successful, compassionate people. They help me when I’m struggling to remember why I should care about the world or any of its inhabitants because they go “oh look, I’m pretty cool, and people can be pretty cool if you just look at them this way” and then I sigh and smile and start looking at people “that way” and it helps. I’m babbling.

Anyway. Amy’s book is a lot like I imagine her as a person to be, chatty, firm but polite, a little neurotic, and amazingly legitimate. This book offered some fun stories about SNL, Parks and Rec, red carpets. It offered cute stories of childhood in the eighties, and college experiences. It told grand tales of being a woman in a predominantly male field.  Throughout all of the stories and jokes and insights though the underlying theme that tied the book together (and really what I think I can safely say is something that Amy stands for in general) is resilience. Getting knocked down and getting back up. Trying again and again and not being afraid to be an idiot. Doing something wrong one night and doing it right the next. Life is a fluid, constant, ever changing thing, and at the heart of it all is humanity. The struggle to get what we want, be who we want, achieve what we want – all while maybe trying to be a good person and do good things. Amy’s book is equal parts tough and soft; a great balance of honesty and brutality.

I need more people like Amy in my life. I think we all do.