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singalana's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
Bird by Bird is a beautifully written book about writing. Even though it's originally written in the 1990s, the book doesn't feel dated in my opinion. Anne Lamott shares the wisdom she has accumulated over the years, and the book feels like a long conversation rather than a set of instructions. If you're looking for a gentle approach to writing and what it means to be a writer, this might be the book for you.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Child death, Chronic illness, Cancer, and Alcohol
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
1.5
Several people had recommended this to me to help with my writing journey as it had helped them with theirs. I’m really glad this book was useful for them, but it was definitely not for me. Unfortunately, reading through this was a miserable experience for me. Overall, I felt like I got maybe two good pointers from this book.
I think that the points the author was trying to make would have come across just as well, if not better, had they been listed out in a small blog post. It felt that a majority of the book was filler; nonsensical and sometimes borderline cringey or distasteful jokes that the author threw in to be “funny”. It was full of self-depreciation and unnecessary analogies that really distracted from the overall point of the writing.
I hope others will give this book a chance and possibly find it useful for them. Sadly. It was not a match for me.
I think that the points the author was trying to make would have come across just as well, if not better, had they been listed out in a small blog post. It felt that a majority of the book was filler; nonsensical and sometimes borderline cringey or distasteful jokes that the author threw in to be “funny”. It was full of self-depreciation and unnecessary analogies that really distracted from the overall point of the writing.
I hope others will give this book a chance and possibly find it useful for them. Sadly. It was not a match for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Cancer, Death, and Ableism
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
Part memoir, part guide to life as an author. This authentic and lively book runs the gamut of emotions from heart-wrenching to belly-laughter-inducing. While some of the author’s tips aren’t applicable for the modern digital era or for certain genres of publishing (literary fiction vs kid lit & YA), there is so much wisdom that any writer can benefit from.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Alcohol
caitlancole's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
loxeletters's review
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Death, Cancer, and Mental illness
davidup_15's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
So so so many beautiful quotes about writing and reading in this, and so much rich advice on how to live as a writer and make the most out of this amazing career path. Would absolutely recommend for anyone who is interested in writing in any way; even if you don't necessarily want to get published, as Lamott consistently emphasises, the joy of writing is in the work itself, in what you get to do, and in the discipline, not in the success of being published.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
tenten's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
i loved this book! along with On Writing by Stephen King, this is definitely a book that i will return to time and time again as i try to push down all my anxious, self-deprecating voices so that i can write without fear.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
jbellomy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
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