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Improv Your Life
'If you want to be more present, more reactive and have more fun - this book is for you' SARA PASCOE'Funny, insightful and inspiring' RACHEL PARRIS'Essential reading for anyone wanting to do life, but better' CARIAD LLOYD'A wonderfully witty, charmingly personal guide to the art of improvisation for the stage & life' DEBORAH FRANCES WHITEAn improviser's guide to embracing whatever life throws at you!PIPPA EVANS is an expert in saying Yes - and No. She's a master of thinking on her feet, but has also had to learn how to go with the flow. In this book she's passing on everything she's learnt from her award winning improv career, as both a performer and teacher, so YOU can take centre stage in your own life.In telling her story, delving into the craft of improvisation, and sharing fun exercises and practice you can do at home, Pippa will help you become fully yourself - realising your potential and ability to adapt to the ever changing world around you. It's dangerous, being yourself, but let's just take it one step at a time. Open the book, take a breath and get ready to say YES. (If it's a NO from you then perhaps consider buying for a friend, family member or enemy who you think needs some improv-ment)
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2021
25 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 27, 2021
As a infrequent giver of 5 stars, I should leave some words too. I loved this book. It came just at the right time for me in my steps to becoming a recovering achiever. It’s dead easy to read. It’s funny. It makes you think and wonder (more).
March 6, 2021
I enjoyed this and felt there was so much that was relatable as well as laugh out loud funny. I found it thought provoking and full of 'life wisdom' but generally enjoyed the first half more than the second. I'm a huge Showstopper fan so was drawn to this book out of curiosity. I gave 3 stars as it's not really my kind of book (page turner/fiction lover), but I could appreciate lots about it and think it's successful in what it is, and can see how others would enjoy it even more than I did. Life affirming and an easy read.
August 29, 2023
LOVED IT <3 !!!
June 16, 2021
Brilliant
(Disclaimer: I am rubbish at writing reviews!)
I have suffered from anxiety and depression (and possible undiagnosed ADHD) for most of my life. In the last few years I have been attending improv classes to help with this and really enjoying myself.
I saw Pippa mention this book on her Twitter, and as a fan had to buy it.
This book looks at how we can use skills used in an improv class in real life to help us cope better with the day to day frustrations and bigger problems and successes. It is full of anecdotes and advice but is also very gentle to the reader. The solo and in a pair exercises at the end of each chapter are really useful and mean this book has lots of potential for re-reading and dipping in to. It is lots of fun and easy to access for improvisers and non-improvisers alike.
(Extra bonus: It has a fleeting mention of my other favourite style of theatre!)
(Disclaimer: I am rubbish at writing reviews!)
I have suffered from anxiety and depression (and possible undiagnosed ADHD) for most of my life. In the last few years I have been attending improv classes to help with this and really enjoying myself.
I saw Pippa mention this book on her Twitter, and as a fan had to buy it.
This book looks at how we can use skills used in an improv class in real life to help us cope better with the day to day frustrations and bigger problems and successes. It is full of anecdotes and advice but is also very gentle to the reader. The solo and in a pair exercises at the end of each chapter are really useful and mean this book has lots of potential for re-reading and dipping in to. It is lots of fun and easy to access for improvisers and non-improvisers alike.
(Extra bonus: It has a fleeting mention of my other favourite style of theatre!)
October 4, 2025
Pippa Evans the genius that you are.
This book is a perfect read for honestly anyone and everyone, even if you’re not someone who is interested in improv or have never really paid it much attention, it doesn’t matter! This book will change your life.
Several times throughout reading it I found myself nodding along saying “yeah! That’s SO true” and easily relating things she was saying to my own life!
I had so much fun with all the little exercises within the book, and a lot of the things that Pippa said has really stuck with me. So much so that when going about my day to day life, I now find myself thinking about interactions and certain things in my life slightly differently, applying the mindset and attitude of the book to my own life, and it’s BRILLIANT!
My favourite part of this book that has really genuinely stuck with me is the “I am an idiot!” Poem at the end. The concept is not dissimilar to my own mindset and just hearing it from someone else in such a carefree manor really made me happy and warm inside. Like yeah yk what I AM an idiot and that’s OKAY! I DO ask a lot of questions, I DO ponder on things I don’t know about all the time, I AM known to always ‘ask too many unnecessary questions’ when I don’t know something that may seem ‘simple’.
And I’ll continue doing all of that, but without the shame.
Thank you Pippa Evans for this masterpiece!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x♾️
This book is a perfect read for honestly anyone and everyone, even if you’re not someone who is interested in improv or have never really paid it much attention, it doesn’t matter! This book will change your life.
Several times throughout reading it I found myself nodding along saying “yeah! That’s SO true” and easily relating things she was saying to my own life!
I had so much fun with all the little exercises within the book, and a lot of the things that Pippa said has really stuck with me. So much so that when going about my day to day life, I now find myself thinking about interactions and certain things in my life slightly differently, applying the mindset and attitude of the book to my own life, and it’s BRILLIANT!
My favourite part of this book that has really genuinely stuck with me is the “I am an idiot!” Poem at the end. The concept is not dissimilar to my own mindset and just hearing it from someone else in such a carefree manor really made me happy and warm inside. Like yeah yk what I AM an idiot and that’s OKAY! I DO ask a lot of questions, I DO ponder on things I don’t know about all the time, I AM known to always ‘ask too many unnecessary questions’ when I don’t know something that may seem ‘simple’.
And I’ll continue doing all of that, but without the shame.
Thank you Pippa Evans for this masterpiece!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x♾️
October 29, 2023
Pippa Evans has seriously impressed me with this book. I am not someone who reads self-help type books. I love escapism from reality it is my passion. However, I was at a book festival one day and picked this book up (I had decided that I needed to branch out of my comfort zone with books to see what was out there) and I was not disappointed.
As the title suggest this is a book written about Improv and all the parts good and bad surrounding improv. Pippa narrates the book taking experiences from her own career and life from starting out and the process of gaining a name for herself. This book is used to show how improv is essentially a big part of all our lives even if we don't know we are doing it. There are themes in this book that will challenge your way of thinking and interpretation of situations. It can be read as a solo book or with a partner/group with opportunities to do different activities that can give the reader further insight into specific topics with tips to adopt into an individuals own life.
My favourite chapters have to be:
1. "Our old friend NO" The power of the word NO and how it is used in life.
2. "Curiosity didn't kill the cat" all about how we should be curious in a world full of possibilities.
3. "Empathy and the art of not fixing things" about how we as individuals want to fix everything when maybe we shouldn't.
As the title suggest this is a book written about Improv and all the parts good and bad surrounding improv. Pippa narrates the book taking experiences from her own career and life from starting out and the process of gaining a name for herself. This book is used to show how improv is essentially a big part of all our lives even if we don't know we are doing it. There are themes in this book that will challenge your way of thinking and interpretation of situations. It can be read as a solo book or with a partner/group with opportunities to do different activities that can give the reader further insight into specific topics with tips to adopt into an individuals own life.
My favourite chapters have to be:
1. "Our old friend NO" The power of the word NO and how it is used in life.
2. "Curiosity didn't kill the cat" all about how we should be curious in a world full of possibilities.
3. "Empathy and the art of not fixing things" about how we as individuals want to fix everything when maybe we shouldn't.
February 20, 2021
A book that is both an introduction to Improv and a way to think about life and how you show up for it and live in the moment. It's well-written and an easy read (I finished it in 2 sittings) but also quite profound, intelligent and funny. Pippa Evans shows great vulnerability in telling her own stories.
March 18, 2021
Lovely and helpful
I bought this after listening to Pippa’s interview on the Colin Murray show on 5Live. I am glad I did - the world of improv is one I didn’t know well before.
I have taken lots of the lessons and tips given as notes and look to be able to use them every day.
I bought this after listening to Pippa’s interview on the Colin Murray show on 5Live. I am glad I did - the world of improv is one I didn’t know well before.
I have taken lots of the lessons and tips given as notes and look to be able to use them every day.
April 12, 2021
Brilliant. Easy to digest and some fantastic exercises. It has just got me through recent anxieties about a job interview and also given me oodles of exercises and insight into how improv, play, art and fun can inform and infuse my life more. I shall be recommending to loads of people, wherever I can and whenever I can. Pippa is super funny and such a lovely person. Clearly she is very talented and experienced in her fields of joy. What a treasure. I will be returning to this regularly!
September 26, 2021
I have never done improv (even though I might after listening to this) but I was intrigued by the stellar reviews, so I bought the book. Pippa Evans exceeded my high and curious expectations. It's funny and practical - a new perspective on life and its daily challenges. Highly recommended.
April 5, 2021
Upbeat, good advice
August 25, 2021
This arrived in time for NZ's current lockdown - am so glad it did.
Funny, relevant and comforting for me anyway. Thank you Pippa!
Funny, relevant and comforting for me anyway. Thank you Pippa!
December 22, 2021
Beautifully simply written story, blend of funny anecdotes and self help advice, very easy and delightful read
January 14, 2022
A great insight into improv and Pippa really manages to explain how it can be applied to life in general.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews