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Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith

anne lamott

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Hallelujah Anyway and Help, Thanks, Wow, a spiritual antidote to anxiety and despair in increasingly fraught times.

As Anne Lamott knows, the world is a dangerous place. Terrorism and war have become the new normal. Environmental devastation looms even closer. And there are personal demands on her faith as well: getting older; her mother's Alzheimer's; her son's adolescence; and the passing of friends and time.

Fortunately for those of us who are anxious about the state of the world, whose parents are also aging and dying, whose children are growing harder to recognize as they become teenagers, Plan B offers hope that we’re not alone in the midst of despair. It shares with us Lamott's ability to comfort and to make us laugh despite the grim realities.

Anne Lamott is one of our most beloved writers, and Plan B is a book more necessary now than ever. It is further evidence that, as The New Yorker has written, "Anne Lamott is a cause for celebration."

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,2004

This edition

Format
320 pages, Paperback
Published
April 28, 2006 by Riverhead Books
ISBN
9781594481574
ASIN
1594481571
Language
English

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About the author

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anne lamott

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Anne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity. She appeals to her fans because of her sense of humor, her deeply felt insights, and her outspoken views on topics such as her left-of-center politics and her unconventional Christian faith. She is a graduate of Drew College Preparatory School in San Francisco, California. Her father, Kenneth Lamott, was also a writer and was the basis of her first novel Hard Laughter.

Lamott's life is documented in Freida Lee Mock's 1999 documentary Bird by Bird: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
misthistoric
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Of all of Lamott's essay collections, I have found Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith to be the most enjoyable.

Written in the early 2000s, it offers a unique perspective in the context of today's world. Lamott often refers to the president and the "preemptive" war in Iraq, which, in hindsight, seems like a relatively mild phase of angst in US history.

Her discussions about her son's upbringing are both poignant and honest. She openly shares her experiences of learning to foster a relationship between her son and his father, her deep love for her child as an individual, and yet, at the same time, her regular annoyance and challenges in parenting.

What I appreciate most about Lamott is her unapologetic attitude towards her human tendencies and her attempts at faith. She writes,
\n  ... Jesus kept harping on forgiveness and loving one's enemies, so I decided to try. Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess about everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or to pay attention, stomp away to brood when people annoy us, and then eat a big bag of Hershey's Kisses in bed?\n

Lamott's concept of "the next right thing" has been mimicked by many others, including Glennon Doyle. Overall, Plan B is a great read that I highly recommend.

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Paperwhales
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I received this book for Christmas from a friend. To be honest, I wasn't sure about it at first. Religion and faith have never been a part of my life. However, I'm so glad that I persevered and read the book.

Anne Lamott's writing is truly captivating. I love her humour and honesty as she shares her struggles with life and parenthood. She doesn't just talk about her faith; she also opens up about the challenges and joys she has experienced.

What really wins me over is her writing style and way with words. She has a unique ability to make the reader feel connected to her. The book was written when the US was at war in Iraq, and now, years later, we have the war in Ukraine. Both wars seem unjust, with innocent people suffering and being damaged forever.

Reading this book has made me think about the importance of peace and the need to value human life. It has also shown me that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is still hope and beauty to be found.
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EOLAnime
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Anne Lamott is an extremely witty individual. I would truly love to have her as a friend or mentor.

While I did appreciate numerous insights presented in this book, I was somewhat put off by the politics. She penned the book during the tenure of the Bush administration, and she was both angry and terrified, and I felt the same way... However, I don't believe it is fruitful to make Bush the scapegoat. Reading this book currently, her demonization of Bush seems rather outdated.

That being said, I still plan to read more of her works. This is because I firmly believe she possesses the remarkable ability to perceive beauty, hope, and light even in the midst of the most abysmally rotten times.

Her writing has the power to touch the soul and offer a glimmer of optimism when everything around us may seem bleak. I am eager to explore more of her literary offerings and see what other profound wisdom and inspiration she has to share.

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joeybaloney2
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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It has been quite a while since I last delved into this type of book. As a result, I found myself progressing at a somewhat sluggish pace at times. However, there was a particular quote that really struck a chord with me.

“Hope is not logical. It always comes as a surprise. Hope is the cousin to grief, and both take time: you can't short-circuit grief, or emptiness, and you can't patch it up with your bicycle tire tube kit. You have to take the next right action.” This profound statement made me stop and reflect. It highlights the fact that hope is an intangible and often unexpected emotion. It cannot be forced or rushed.

Just like grief, it requires patience and the willingness to take the necessary steps forward. We cannot simply bypass the process of dealing with difficult emotions or try to fix them with quick solutions. Instead, we must have the courage to face them head-on and take the next right action, whatever that may be. This quote serves as a powerful reminder that in the midst of life's challenges, hope can still prevail if we are willing to put in the effort and trust in the journey.

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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Povacy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Just a few passages that really made an impact on me:

The Church of 80% Sincerity (109 - 110)

- 80% sincerity is as good as it can be. The same goes for 80% compassion and 80% celibacy. This means that 20% of the time, you get to be your true self.

- This goes against everything society makes us believe, which is that it's all or nothing.

- In the Church of 80% Sincerity, everyone understands that unconditional love is real, but it has a short lifespan of about 8 to 10 seconds. Instead of feeling bad because you only experience it briefly, you should cherish those moments when it appears.

"Rubble is the foundation on which our deepest friendships are built. If you haven't already, you will lose someone you can't live without, and your heart will be severely broken. You will never completely recover from the loss of a deeply loved person. But this is also good news. The person lives forever in your broken heart that never heals completely. And you get through it, and you learn to dance with a damaged heart. You dance to the absurdities of life; you dance to the minuet of old friendships." (174)

"Jesus had an affinity for prisoners. After all, he had been one. He must have often felt anxious and isolated in jail, but he always identified with the prisoners. He made it a point to befriend the worst and most hated, because his message was that no one was beyond the reach of divine love, despite what society said. God: what a crazy one." (182)

And a quote from C.S. Lewis - "We do not truly see light; we only see slower things illuminated by it."
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toviiw
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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While I'm not Christian, I find her faith truly wonderful and deeply inspiring.

She despairs at precisely the same things that I despair at, and she rejoices at the very same things that bring me joy. Often, it's her son and politics for both of us.

I have loved Anne Lamott ever since I first read Operating Instructions. Her words have a way of touching my soul and making me see the world from a different perspective.

Her honesty and vulnerability in sharing her experiences and her faith are truly remarkable. It's as if she is opening up her heart and inviting us in, allowing us to see the beauty and the pain that lies within.

Even though I don't share her religious beliefs, I can still appreciate the power of her faith and how it has shaped her life. It gives her strength in the face of difficulties and hope in the midst of despair.

Anne Lamott is an inspiration to me, not because of her religion, but because of her ability to be true to herself and to share her story with the world.
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namv22
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This particular work by Lamott isn't my absolute favorite.

However, I've always found her outlook on life to be truly captivating and I consider her to be a kindred spirit, a soul friend.

Recently, one of my dear friends surprised me with a mystery book date. It was especially for readers who have an affinity for works like those of St. Augustine and such.

I was overjoyed when I discovered that the book was this one by Lamott.

As I delved into the reading, it felt as if I was sitting there, listening to a beloved good friend ramble on in a somewhat aimless manner.

But beneath that seemingly random chatter, there was a great deal of depth and wisdom.

It made me wonder if perhaps this is exactly how my own friends feel when I talk to them. LOLZ.

I guess it's a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful conversations and experiences can come from the most unexpected places and in the most unassuming ways.

And with Lamott's words, I'm once again reminded of the power of her writing to touch our hearts and make us think.
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Arachneia
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have an unwavering love for Anne Lamott. Her book Traveling Mercies was truly a gem - it was hilarious, filled with astute observations, and refreshingly honest. This new work of hers also contains all of these wonderful elements as she delves deeper into reflecting on the little, yet significant moments in life. However, for some reason, this particular one didn't have the same profound impact on me as her previous works.

Despite that, I would still wholeheartedly recommend it. It's important to note that everyone's reading experience can vary, and what might not have blown me away could potentially be a life-changing read for someone else. So, I encourage you to check it out and form your own opinion. You might just discover something truly remarkable within its pages.

I firmly believe that Anne Lamott's writing has the power to touch hearts and open minds, and this book is no exception. Give it a chance and see where it takes you on your own personal literary journey.
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