Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal

By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Narrated by: Amy Krouse Rosenthal, John Green

The bestselling author of Encyclopedia an Ordinary Life returns with a literary experience that is unprecedented, unforgettable, and explosively human.

Ten years after her beloved, groundbreaking Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, #1 New York Times bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal delivers a book full of her distinct blend of nonlinear narrative, wistful reflections, and insightful wit. It is a mighty, life-affirming work that sheds light on all the ordinary and extraordinary ways we are connected.

Like she did with Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, Amy Krouse Rosenthal ingeniously adapts a standard format—a textbook, this time—to explore life’s lessons and experiences into a funny, wise, and poignant work of art. Not exactly a memoir, not just a collection of observations, Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a beautiful exploration into the many ways we are connected on this planet and speaks to the awe, bewilderment, and poignancy of being alive.

Includes a bonus PDF with photographs, illustrations, texting guides, and more


“…a groundbreaking new twist on the traditional literary experience… Textbook is a delightful collection of interesting scenarios that directly point to life lessons. Rosenthal manages to spotlight grand moments and everyday moments with equal curiosity, proving that it can be both a privilege — and petrifying — to peek into one’s humanity.”—Associated Press

“Rosenthal is a marvel… a talented storyteller with an experimental flair for formatting… This engaging, playful, and clever glimpse into one woman’s life offers lots of photographs, graphic illustrations, and diagrams, resulting in a book that will make readers smile as their notions of story delivery expand.” —Booklist

Critic reviews

“…a groundbreaking new twist on the traditional literary experience… Textbook is a delightful collection of interesting scenarios that directly point to life lessons. Rosenthal manages to spotlight grand moments and everyday moments with equal curiosity, proving that it can be both a privilege — and petrifying — to peek into one’s humanity.”
—Associated Press

“[Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal is] as beautiful, thrilling, brief, sad, and quotidian as a sunset.”
—Fast Company

"Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal, subtitled Not Exactly a Memoir, is quirky, rambling and funny, as befits a children’s book author. Poems, photos, drawings and musings add up to a charming but gently incisive experience—and the most simply exquisite ending."
—Family Circle

“Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal: Not Exactly a Memoir leaps beyond traditional books in structure and offers engaging views of life that are relatable, intriguing and enlightening… Rosenthal’s vivid wondering and quirky views present a textbook case of someone who understands that her next adventure is just around the corner.”
—Raleigh News & Observer

“...episodic, funny, and highly visual” —EntertainmentWeekly.com
“Rosenthal is a marvel… a talented storyteller with an experimental flair for formatting… This engaging, playful, and clever glimpse into one woman’s life offers lots of photographs, graphic illustrations, and diagrams, resulting in a book that will make readers smile as their notions of story delivery expand.”
—Booklist

“Part memoir, part art instillation... More than an intriguing concept, [Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal] is an artful arrangement of image and text and a compelling read. An abundant use of white space reveals that Rosenthal is unafraid to take breaths between thoughts. In doing so, she gives her audience the same generous opportunity, pairing the best of what print and digital have to offer: narrative for contemplation and online interaction for community. Readers will want to return to this book again and also share it with those they love best.”
—Library Journal

"Part memoir, part interactive art piece, part, well, textbook, children’s author Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s latest grown-up offering delights the reader with a series of musings, drawings, photos, music, graphs, and even a bracket bracket where [ ] faces off against { } under section headings like Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math."
—RealSimple.com

Gone but never forgotten

It is bittersweet to hear her voice over the last two days. This world will miss her ability to tell a tale. Rest In Peace, AmyKR. Bye, I love you!

Lovely

This was very touching, hopeful, and innovative. Very soft, warm, and glowing. I feel like Amy and I are friends now, in a way.

Best ending ever

I’m a fan of AKR, and find her happy and quirky outlook on the world life affirming. The knowledge that she’s no longer walking this planet cast a deeper dimension on this reading. How I wish I’d read this earlier and been able to take advantage of her offers of interaction. Goodbye, I love you, thank you.

My new favorite book!

Upbeat and encouraging, funny, happy and sad. You have to listen to understand. Just do it.

Serendipitous

I came to read this book in an interesting way today, and I couldn't be happier that I did. What a beautiful, honest, heartbreaking and incredible experience that was. Thank you so much for your words, Amy.