Social Sara

View Original

Review: The Art of Asking

The Art of Asking
by: Amanda Palmer  

3 stars

This book read more like a series of autobiographical essays centered on the themes of asking for help (obviously), SEEING people (not just looking at people), vulnerability, trust, and love. The beginning of the book was fragmented for me--it felt like various blog posts put together, out of order, not really building on anything, just random thoughts/stories from her life. Eventually, I started to understand the back and forth rhythm, but it took almost half of the book for me to work it out. 

I spent much of the book just amazed at the author's life and the various situations that she put herself in--just by trusting those around her and by asking, it really is inspiring. It was such a different approach that I couldn't help but think she was both amazing and crazy--and amazingly crazy--as I read through her insane stories. I also thought the part she wrote about her mother was especially heartwarming and made me think about whether many of us actually SEE our parents once we "grow up" or become parents ourselves. 

"You can fix almost anything by authentically communicating."
Share yourself, let others actually SEE you, know you, let them in. And do the same for others.

 

xo Sara

Curious about how I rate books? Read about my scale here. Warning: it's super scientific. 

Join me on Goodreads where I update my TBR pretty much daily and my main Instagram where I share pics of my reading journey (amongst other things). There's even my secondary Instagram devoted entirely to my favorite opening and closing lines of books.