In the Form of a Question

The Joys and Rewards of a Curious Life

By: Amy Schneider

Narrated by: Amy Schneider

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

An inspirational and bold memoir from the most successful woman ever to compete on Jeopardy!—and an exploration of what it means to ask questions of the world and of yourself.

In eighth grade, Amy was voted “Most likely to appear on Jeopardy!” by her classmates. Decades later, this trailblazer finally got her chance. Not only did she walk away with $1.3 million while captivating the world with her impressive forty-game winning streak, but she made history and won an even greater prize—the joy of being herself on national television and blazing a trail for openly queer and transgender people around the world. Now, she shares her singular journey that led to becoming an unlikely icon and hero to millions. Her super power: Boundless curiosity and fearless questioning.

In the Form of a Question explores some of the innumerable topics that have fascinated Amy throughout her life—books and music, Tarot and astrology, popular culture and computers, sex and relationships—but they all share the same purpose: to illustrate, and celebrate, the results of a lifetime spent asking, why?

©2023 Amy Schneider (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Just Awesome!

I find it so rare when an author reading their own work, makes it almost perfect, but Aimee did that. I actually like her riding style and find it amusing. I appreciate the manner and what she shared subjects in a straightforward manner rather than making a big deal about it. My only suggestion would be the later chapters could be about half as long. But I thoroughly enjoyed it, well done.

Disappointed

I was excited to learn more about Amy as a person and how her Jeopardy experience affected her. The book started out to be interesting and informative. It bogged down in the middle where she over exemplified her own personal philosophies. Most of which was very boring. I really didn’t think this was the format to go into Tarot cards and such non essential detail regarding her drug use. I enjoyed parts that talked about how she processes information, but really had to make myself listen to the center section. The last part again delved into her trans experience and becoming comfortable with who she has become. This was informative and genuine.

Not a game show fan, but I enjoyed it

This was really the bio of a person born at the wrong time and place. She quickly and succinctly explained how she won at Jeopardy then moved on.

Enjoyable Learning

I almost stop listening during the chapter describing ADD. I thought, "If this was how the rest of the book is I can't finish listening." I was feeling so confused. I realized when the chapter was over, that was the point, to give the listener a glimpse into the author's life dealing with ADD. I also learned a lot about what it was like for the author to be transgender. I throughly enjoyed this book.

Form of a question

I am glad Amy never changed her voice. I truly looked forward to her reading this book and she did a go job. I’m not sure what I was expecting but the book was different than my expectations. I thought she’d talk more about her transition, why some people don’t choose surgery, etc. So the book was a little limited for me. Possibly she and Genevieve hadn’t married yet and no discussion of that. But I so admire Amy and proud of representing the Trans family and the Jeopardy family!

Her honesty

It was an easy listen, in her own beautiful voice. An honest, almost soothing tone. Would love to hear her read more.

Great First Half, Rest is Totally Cringe

During the recent Jeopardy! Masters Tournament, contestant Amy Schneider purposely set up a totally boring interview, saying that after nearly 70 interviews she had no more stories to tell. What she did not say was that her juiciest stories, many of them NSFTV (not safe for TV), were in her 2023 memoir, In the Form of a Question.

The problem is, who really wants to hear those stories? Half of them, yes (especially over the first half of the book) -- we do want to know how she got to be so smart, how did she know she was trans, what it's like to be famous, etc. Even some things we didn't know we wanted to know, like how it feels to have ADD, are extremely entertaining when Amy goes all in with her sense of humor.

But in the second half of the book, while we're waiting for more about her Jeopardy! experience, we instead learn about polyamory, tarot, drug use, losing your virginity, and other subjects that become extremely unsavory and uncomfortable when told in such excruciating detail. Suddenly Amy's sense of humor becomes embarrassing given the subject matter.

We never do really get all that much about a Jeopardy! run that at the time of publication included a second-best all-time win streak of 40, a Tournament of Champions win against a field that included fellow mega-champs Mattea Roach and Matt Amodio, and the inaugural Masters tourny (the second that she participated in just concluded).

I didn't know what to expect when I chose to get this audiobook (Amy does a great job narrating, btw), but I was quickly delighted in a pleasantly surprised way. Then things went in an unfortunate direction really fast. Disappointingly (for me) it started right after the best chapter, the ADD chapter, with polyamory, tarot, bathrooms, cartoons, and drugs.

Maybe not for everyone, but certainly for me!

I loved this book!. I enjoyed watching Amy on Jeopardy! and was captivated by her run. I am not a faithful watcher but I watched every night to see her succeed. She is captivating. I saw this book while scrolling thru Audible and knew I'd love to hear more about her in her own words. I was not disappointed. I appreciate her candor. My title is it's may not be for everyone. She is frank and honest and questioning and some people may feel uncomfortable but I think we all need to be a little uncomfortable every now and then in order to grow. I need more people like Amy in my life. I hope she continues the story in a few years so we can all stay in touch with her.

Fearless and So Funny

Amy has such an individual story and is a great story teller. Especially as someone with ADD I loved her perspective and her positive vibes.

Getting to know Amy

Amy does a great job of bringing herself to life in the telling of this story. While her experiences on Jeopardy are the foundation of the book her personal reflections, particularly those dealing with her sexuality and growing up after what truly make the book both interesting and remarkable. While there are still many questions in my mind about what it means to be transgender and why it happens her book provides very human insights. Perhaps a central challenge of life for everyone is defining what it is to be human.