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jwinchell's review
3.0
I was compelled to put this on hold when I heard that it came out but I don’t really know why. The only other book of Lamott’s that I’ve read is Operating Instructions, which I read when Max was 3 months old. I found this book to be similarly self-involved, a sort of armchair spirituality of the Christian, Northern California brand that didn’t really reach me. I can see how she’d be a good friend and a good Sunday school teacher, but I found her frequent references to her sobriety and her overweight mother to fall short—for me. Many people love Lamott, which is maybe why I felt the need to get my hands on this book. Dunno.
margaretmechinus's review
4.0
I have loved Anne Lamont books until the last one where she was preachy and negative. But I tried again and I’m glad. She is married now and the kinder, gentler, funny, philosophical Anne is back.
Her stories about herself (and now about marriage) are so honest, but always with hope and love and Grace shining through. Good reminders.
Her stories about herself (and now about marriage) are so honest, but always with hope and love and Grace shining through. Good reminders.
adambwriter's review
4.0
Anne makes of herself a remarkable villain, but a hopeful one. Perhaps that's the best kind.
carlybarly6's review
3.0
Another minefield of gems in the form of an Anne Lamott essay collection. On being human, on ever-evolving, on listening harder, on seeing God in nature, on showing up in the places that we fear, on finding awe, on slowing down, on curiosity, on deep goodness, on presence, on clearing away the rubble, on extricating oneself from perfectionism, on the value of intimate friendships, on the value of science, on the value of nature, on stories as medicine, on the reminder that you are beautiful and loved just as you are — to name a few of the gems.
catia823's review
1.0
I could not resent this author, or her writing, more than I do. Just hideous narcissistic drivel.
linneakarchibald's review
5.0
5 STARS
What a delight of a book. Anne Lamott has had my heart since I first read BIRD BY BIRD in my high school creative writing class and this book met all my expectations. Written during the time right after her marriage to the man she'd lived with and been in a relationship with for years, Lamott does a beautiful job capturing all the ups and downs of living with people, both in an intimate relationship and in the broader community. The stories she tells all explore the difficulties and wonder of what happens when we bring our own messy selves into our relationships with other people and how it affects the way we see the world and move through it.
While I don't think the title exactly fits—it seems to suggest the book has more of a thesis statement than it actually does—I still loved every minute of it and it had me laughing out loud in multiple places. In every book I've read of hers, I'm always astounded by Lamott's ability to see things in the world, things about humanity, that often go unnoticed. It's a true gift to her readers. If you enjoy hearing authors read their own work, definitely check out the audiobook version of this one too.
What a delight of a book. Anne Lamott has had my heart since I first read BIRD BY BIRD in my high school creative writing class and this book met all my expectations. Written during the time right after her marriage to the man she'd lived with and been in a relationship with for years, Lamott does a beautiful job capturing all the ups and downs of living with people, both in an intimate relationship and in the broader community. The stories she tells all explore the difficulties and wonder of what happens when we bring our own messy selves into our relationships with other people and how it affects the way we see the world and move through it.
While I don't think the title exactly fits—it seems to suggest the book has more of a thesis statement than it actually does—I still loved every minute of it and it had me laughing out loud in multiple places. In every book I've read of hers, I'm always astounded by Lamott's ability to see things in the world, things about humanity, that often go unnoticed. It's a true gift to her readers. If you enjoy hearing authors read their own work, definitely check out the audiobook version of this one too.