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nattbelen's review against another edition
inspiring
4.0
very satisfying to end a book feeling invigorated. i will continue to read and write, but w some newfound quotes (and honestly familiar ideas) that i will internalize. or keep trying to internalize. probably wont cause a 180 in my life but how fun is it to pretend! cant wait to read this again after actually trying for a bit.
shannon_fowler's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
It was a pleasure to hear the author read the audiobook version of this book! Numerous times, I found myself chuckling (sometimes even laughing), although oftentimes it was unclear if it was the way she said things or the things she was saying.
I came to read this book because many other writers have recommended it as a "must read" book. I wholeheartedly agree! Anne Lamott gives excellent advice, practical instruction, and some specific reality checks about the writing life - particularly publishing. At the heart of it all, the joy for writing and how the process brings us alive as writers is evident.
I loved this book and will return to it again!
I came to read this book because many other writers have recommended it as a "must read" book. I wholeheartedly agree! Anne Lamott gives excellent advice, practical instruction, and some specific reality checks about the writing life - particularly publishing. At the heart of it all, the joy for writing and how the process brings us alive as writers is evident.
I loved this book and will return to it again!
_readwithash's review against another edition
2.0
There were some really good tips for writing in this book, however they are buried beneath extremely judgmental observations. This perspective could be because I listened to the audiobook for most of my reading experience, but Lamott herself narrates it, and I was incredibly put off by the whole thing.
jaredor's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
The lessons taught are via anecdotes, so you get one writer's wisdom in an experiential narrative. You could almost call this "confessional how-to" but the darkest parts, like that of a drinking problem, are only touched upon in passing, so this is not as exploitative as that label would seem.
This book is often mentioned when creativity comes up and I agree with that: The author took a creative approach to writing a how-to-be-writer book. It was first published in 1994, so it was not just a drop in the flood of first person exposition we have in general nonfiction today, but rather part of the rivulet that first carved the course of that genre.
The previous sentence I wrote was verging on being too precious and I feel that a lot of the book is in a similar spot. The book is chockablock with imagery, but sometimes seems to exist in service to itself. This gives the impression, sometimes, that the culminating emotional punch to drive home the point of the chapter lands a bit off center.
I totally get you if you think this book is five stars. For me, it wasn't.
This book is often mentioned when creativity comes up and I agree with that: The author took a creative approach to writing a how-to-be-writer book. It was first published in 1994, so it was not just a drop in the flood of first person exposition we have in general nonfiction today, but rather part of the rivulet that first carved the course of that genre.
The previous sentence I wrote was verging on being too precious and I feel that a lot of the book is in a similar spot. The book is chockablock with imagery, but sometimes seems to exist in service to itself. This gives the impression, sometimes, that the culminating emotional punch to drive home the point of the chapter lands a bit off center.
I totally get you if you think this book is five stars. For me, it wasn't.