Amy Poehler is one smart, funny woman.
And the number one wish of her fans, especially after her buddy Tina Fey‘s book, Bossypants, turned out to be so genuinely entertaining, is that Poehler would write a book of her own.
We’re not getting that – yet – but we’re getting pretty close: NBCUniversal and Hyperion Books announced that a 240-page Parks and Recreation book is coming called Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America. And it’s “written, completed, researched, typed, collated, proof-read, and run through spell-check” by Poehler’s character Leslie Knope, Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department for Pawnee, Indiana.
True P&R worshipers recall that Leslie indeed has written a book: A History of Pawnee, Indiana, which she included in the town time capsule. The publisher didn’t say whether this is an update of that very important tome, but I think we’re safe in assuming that it will have the same perky attitude and attention to detail that Leslie is known for.
Poehler, speaking for Knope, said, “If you like small towns with big ideas, this book is for you! And here’s hoping that Indianapolis will play Pawnee when they turn this book into a movie!”
The book will provide background and insight into the town and expand on events we saw on P&R, complete with photos and illustrations. We’ll learn details of the time the whole town was set on fire, important information about the ongoing raccoon infestation and a list of Pawnee town slogans (“Pawnee: First in friendship, fourth in obesity.”).
We’ll also get commentary from Leslie’s friends and colleagues in the Parks Department.
No word on whether it will be dedicated to the memory of Li’l Sebastian.
While Poehler didn’t directly contribute to Pawnee, Leslie wouldn’t be Leslie without her, so I expect we’ll hear her sensibility throughout the book. And I’m sure it will be as offbeat as the town itself.
Pawnee: The Greatest Town in American will be in stores October 4. Meanwhile, you can catch up on Parks and Recreation on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Will Leslie Knope’s book be part of your fall reading list?
