I am not a person of faith.

However, I often wish I was, as it seems that having faith could make life a little easier.

Anne Lamott's faith is gentle and remarkably accepting of a person's faults.

If I were a person of faith, I would perhaps strive to be like Anne Lamott, sometimes a bit surly and grumpy, yet at other times loving and inclusive.

Each chapter in this book is a stand-alone essay.

I especially liked the ones that feature her son Sam.

Having just become a mother with two teenagers in my house, I truly understand her frustrations with him.

The way he can quickly turn from an "Amazing" boy to a "just want to kick him in the head" boy - it's a scenario that plays out at my house every single day.

While it probably could be read in one sitting, I suggest reading only a couple of essays a day.

This way, I was able to appreciate each one more fully, and they had a better chance to sink into my mind individually.

It allowed me to reflect on each thought and idea presented by Lamott in a more meaningful way.

I have truly loved reading these essays in a slow and deliberate manner at bedtime over the past few months. It has become a cherished part of my nightly routine. What I have found most captivating about them is the author's unique blend of realism and humor when it comes to living as an imperfect Christian.

Her honesty and authenticity in sharing her experiences and struggles make me feel less alone in my own journey. It is refreshing to read about someone who is not afraid to admit their flaws and mistakes, yet still finds hope and encouragement in their faith.

The essays are filled with practical wisdom and insights that have helped me to better understand myself and my relationship with God. I have found myself reflecting on the words long after I have finished reading, and they have inspired me to make positive changes in my own life.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend these essays to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and uplifting read. They have truly touched my heart and have had a profound impact on my spiritual growth.

I have always been a great admirer of her work, especially "Bird by Bird". I had high expectations for this book as well, believing that I would love it just as much. However, to my disappointment, I found myself not enjoying the constant political rants.

Although I am a Democrat and didn't have a great time during the Bush years, I still don't appreciate having someone's political views forced upon me in every other story. One or two mentions of politics would have been acceptable, but she seems to be unable to contain her hatred for Bush and keeps bringing it up in multiple stories.

This book has left me with a similar feeling as some other books I have read in the past. I can understand the author's need to express herself, but perhaps this particular work should have remained in her diary, hidden away in a drawer. We don't really need to hear about her cellulite-ridden fat belly or her mostly normal teenage son. So far, it seems like a lot of self-indulgent navel gazing.

What has managed to keep me going through this book are the occasional wonderful snippets of enlightenment and her unique sense of humor. There are a few moments that made me laugh out loud.

Finally, I managed to finish this rather chaotic book. It felt like she was all over the place, lacking a clear focus. This is definitely not her best work.

It has been quite a while since I last delved into an Anne Lamott book. As a result, I had unfortunately forgotten just how truly authentic and brutally honest her works are.

Anne Lamott has this remarkable ability to lay it all out there, not holding back a single thing. Her writing is like a raw and unfiltered window into her thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

After reading this particular book, I am now determined to track down the rest of her writing. I can't wait to explore more of her words, to be further enlightened and moved by her unique perspective on life.

I have a feeling that each of her books will be a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration, waiting for me to discover. So, I will be on the hunt, eager to add more of Anne Lamott's works to my collection and continue this wonderful literary journey with her.

I simply cannot fathom the idea that an Anne Lamott book would ever receive anything less than 5 stars from my perspective.

Her writing is truly captivating and has the power to touch the hearts and minds of readers on a profound level.

Whether it's her memoirs, novels, or works of non-fiction, Lamott has a unique voice and a way of expressing complex emotions and ideas with clarity and authenticity.

Every word she writes seems to be carefully chosen and placed, creating a beautiful and engaging narrative that keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

If Anne Lamott has written a book, it is an absolute must-read.

You will not be disappointed.

I really loved certain parts of this book. It was filled with snippets of real wisdom that really made me think. There was also a great deal of humor, which made reading it even more enjoyable. In fact, some elements of the book made me feel so understood and seen.

However, there were also parts that I found rather boring. There were entire chapters that I ended up skimming through because they just didn't hold my interest.

Despite these drawbacks, the book is relatively short, which makes it a great option for a binge read. You can easily finish it in one sitting and still come away with some valuable insights and a good laugh or two. Overall, I would say that this book is worth checking out, especially if you're looking for something light and entertaining that also has a bit of substance.

My favorite book of the summer is "Plan B", which is a follow-up to Lamott's "Traveling Mercies", her highly acclaimed collection of essays about spirituality. In "Plan B", Lamott's faith journey persists with her trademark blend of humor and sincerity as she contends with her despondency regarding the Iraq war, the Bush administration, and the vulnerabilities of middle age.

Unlike certain religion writers, Lamott does not depict belief in God as an absolute, but rather as a daily battle amidst all the other trivial forces that pull at her attention. She admits to the "mean voice" in her head: "If regular people detected your concealed angry inner self, they would recoil when they saw you approaching. They would perceive you for what you truly are - human, imperfect, crazier than expected...". Fortunately, Lamott believes that "nothing is more helpful than revealing your unattractive common secrets", and her secrets are frequently both humorous and moving.

Every young person, every old person... in fact, every individual must read Chapter 23, "Let Us Commence", which is the text of the speech Lamott delivers when asked to be a graduation speaker. It is a concise, sincere, and humorous commentary on what truly matters in life. Read it regularly in case you forget.

Anne Lamott has always had the remarkable ability to touch my heart in the most profound ways.

Her stories are a beautiful blend of honesty and clarity, filled with vivid accounts of her life experiences and keen observations.

As I read her words, I find myself first erupting into fits of laughter, charmed by her wit and humor.

But then, just as suddenly, I am brought to tears by the raw emotions and profound truths that she so courageously shares.

Her writing has the power to make me feel both joy and pain, to make me reflect on my own life and the world around me.

Anne Lamott's tales are like a mirror, reflecting the beauty and the ugliness, the light and the darkness of our human existence.

And through her words, I am reminded that it is in the midst of our struggles and our joys that we find the true meaning of life.

I wanted to read this book primarily because it was the purported source of the quote "the opposite of faith is certainty".

From a prose standpoint, the book did not let me down. In fact, there were several lines that really stood out to me. One of my favorites was "laughter is carbonated holiness".

However, the author, who is a self-proclaimed liberal Christian, used a significant amount of profanity. This was rather jarring to my sensibilities and made it a bit difficult for me to fully embrace the book.

I understand that the author may have been trying to make a point or convey a certain tone, but the use of such language seemed out of place in a work that was supposed to be about faith and spirituality.

Overall, while the book had some interesting ideas and beautiful prose, the excessive profanity detracted from the overall experience for me.

People have always been full of praise for Anne Lamott. However, I've never managed to get around to reading her works. But this time, I really enjoyed this one. It makes me think that I may have to read much more of her writing.

Throughout the audio, I often found myself thinking that if I had been reading her book instead of listening to it, I would have imagined her voice to be different. Maybe more perky and ironic, and less whiny. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the recording. In fact, I enjoyed it immensely. I love the way she refers to her thighs as “the aunties.”

Especially, I liked chapter eight “Sincere Meditations.” In this chapter, she talked about a guy who preaches from the “Church of 80% Sincerity” and practices a particular kind of meditation. The mantra in this meditation should go something like this: “This is stupid. Why am I doing this? My butt itches.”

This book is filled with truths that most people try to pretend don't exist. Because of that, it is like a refreshing breath of air. So, read it, laugh, cry, and jot down a few truisms that speak to you.

I have a deep affection for Anne Lamott's writing. Her works are characterized by an outstanding degree of honesty and a remarkable sense of humor that never fails to amuse. However, I must admit that I could do without the excessive political undertones in some of her pieces. Here are a few lines that truly tickled my fancy and made me smile.

In biblical times, the practice of stoning a few thirteen-year-olds with some regularity was not uncommon. This rather harsh measure served the purpose of keeping the other children quiet at home. Interestingly, the mothers were often found in the front row of the stone throwers and had to be physically restrained. It's a rather vivid and somewhat disturbing image that Lamott presents.

Sam's action of chucking rocks into the creek, accompanied by Lily's loyal barking as if she were shaking her fist and shouting "and stay away!" creates a charming and lighthearted scene. It's a simple moment described in a way that makes it come alive in the reader's mind.

My father's main philosophical and spiritual position, which is simply "Don't be an asshole," is both profound and hilarious at the same time. It's a piece of advice that is easy to understand and yet holds great wisdom.

I often find myself in a state where I hardly know what to feel on most days except for grief and bug-eyed paranoia. Lamott's ability to express such complex emotions in a relatable and almost comical way is truly remarkable.

When it comes to older prisoners, Lamott observes that one can sense their testosterone is down, and she likes this aspect in a prisoner. It's an unexpected and somewhat humorous take on the subject.

"Hon, zip your pants. That's not a good look for you." This simple yet direct statement adds a touch of humor and practicality to the narrative.

Finally, the description of the masseuse looking impatient to start slapping the narrator is another example of Lamott's unique writing style, which combines the ordinary with the extraordinary in a way that is both engaging and entertaining.

I truly wish that I could remember to turn to Anne Lamott's works when I am in the midst of life's intense turbulence.

It always appears that I reach for her books only after the menacing threat of what seems like imminent death has subsided. At that moment, I sit there with white-knuckled hands, nervously waiting for the inevitable descent that I'm certain will lead to a fiery crash landing.

Admittedly, reading Lamott at this particular juncture does give me the opportunity to take a few deep breaths before the terror resumes its grip. However, I have this feeling that if I were to pick up her books right when the turbulence is just starting, I might be able to avoid this entire cycle of paranoia completely.

Lamott's writing style is definitely not to everyone's taste. I'm quite sure that some individuals might find her writing to be rather cheesy. But for me, she represents the kind of no-nonsense, down-to-earth Christian that I can easily relate to.

For example, one of my all-time favorite quotes of hers is, "You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do." Additionally, she is a total liberal, which means that she and I are in complete agreement when it comes to the people we "dislike." ;-)

Her writing has managed to persuade me that even crazy people can have children, and it doesn't necessarily mean that those children will grow up to be axe murderers. This is a rather comforting thought, especially if I ever decide to have children of my own.