I approached this book with high expectations, which is always a mistake. I have a great affection for most of Lamott's non-fiction work and had come across a positive review or two of Rosie.

However, the first half of the book was a real struggle. It was slow-paced and filled with an excessive amount of detail. More than once, I had to convince myself not to give up on it. But then, something changed in the second half. The story picked up momentum, and I found myself completely engrossed. In fact, I ended up finishing the last 100+ pages in one sitting.

I really appreciated Lamott's talent for delving into the world of little girls. She captured their thoughts and actions with remarkable accuracy. Additionally, her portrayal of Elizabeth's reaction to the supposed betrayal by James felt all too familiar. However, I did find Elizabeth's negligent parenting rather bothersome. There seemed to be an underlying message that love would conquer all and that with the occasional decent parenting moment, everything would be fine. While Rosie is depicted as a character with an unusually high level of resilience in the face of her alcoholic and despondent mother, such resilience is not common. Many children would not fare as well under Elizabeth's parenting.

That being said, the second half of the book was engaging and interesting enough to make me consider picking up the next book in this series. I'm curious to see where the story will lead and how the characters will develop.

I have a profound love for Anne Lamott's writing. Her gentle humor and quirkiness add a unique charm to her works, and she has an extraordinary gift for delving into the inner struggles of her characters. Lamott has a remarkable ability to immerse the reader in the tribulations of her character's lives.

Rosie is yet another excellent example of Lamott's skill. It is a story that revolves around a mother, Elizabeth, and her daughter, Rosie. After Rosie's father dies in an accident, they are left alone in the world. Interestingly, Rosie often appears to be more adult than her mother. She is a free spirit, wise beyond her years. On the other hand, Elizabeth, despite being beautiful, wealthy, and intelligent, is deeply troubled. She cannot stop drinking and constantly dwells on her own mother's psychosis. Elizabeth is still grappling with the question of what to do with her life now that she is grown up. Unable to face her indecision, she resorts to drinking, and as a result, she often fails to fulfill her obligations to Rosie.

While I have a great admiration for Lamott's writing and thoroughly enjoyed reading Rosie, I must admit that I did not find it as compelling as some of her other works. There were certain aspects of the story that could have been developed further to make it more engaging. However, overall, it is still a worthy read that showcases Lamott's talent as a writer.

My only complaint was that toward the end, the dialogue began to seem like a carefully constructed public service announcement.

Up until that point, the book had truly and completely captured my attention.

And even at that stage, I forgave and finished it, feeling so glad to have discovered Anne Lamott's novels!

I have a plan to read more (a shout out to Bill at the WC Library!).

This book really made me think about the difficulties in ending a story.

Which authors are really able to bring it to a satisfying conclusion?

Why am I asking a question in a review to no one in particular?

Maybe I should actually join a book club?

These are all good questions, Emily.

It's interesting how a single book can引发 so many thoughts and considerations.

Perhaps through further exploration in a book club, I can gain more insights and perspectives on these matters.

Who knows what new discoveries and discussions await?

One thing is for sure, my journey with Anne Lamott's novels has just begun, and I'm excited to see where it takes me.

Anne Lamott's voice is truly one-of-a-kind. It is so distinct that I firmly believe I could have accurately identified her as the author within the first 20 pages of this book.

This was my initial foray into her fictional works. To be honest, I did enjoy reading it. However, it didn't have that profound impact on my life that some books do.

While it was an entertaining read, I don't envision myself re-reading it solely for the sake of pleasure. There are other books out there that have left a more indelible mark on my literary journey.

Perhaps in the future, I'll explore more of Lamott's non-fiction, as I've heard great things about her writing in that genre. But for now, this particular fictional piece will remain on my bookshelf as a pleasant but not life-altering experience.

I really like that Lamott's characters have flaws. Her description of young and hesitant motherhood is so primal and real. It feels as if she is laying bare the most raw and unfiltered aspects of life. Life, after all, is far from perfect, and this book offers an honest examination of our passions, fears, and addictions. It's like a mirror held up to our souls, reflecting the good, the bad, and the ugly. From the very first page, I was completely engaged and never lost interest for a single moment. Lamott's writing style is so captivating that it draws you in and makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

This is the fourth book that I have read by Lamott this year.

Undoubtedly, I have a great affection for her works. However, as I delved deeper into her books, I came to the realization that they all share a remarkable similarity. The same themes seem to run through each and every one of them.

At this point, I feel that I need to take a break from her for a while. It's not that I don't appreciate her writing anymore, but rather that I want to explore other authors and different styles of writing.

Nevertheless, I am certain that I will be coming back to her works in the future. Lamott has a unique way of expressing herself that always manages to touch my heart and make me think.

I look forward to the day when I can pick up another one of her books and be沉浸 in her world once again.

I simply adore Ann Lamott. Her talent for breathing life into her characters is truly remarkable. She has this amazing ability to pen a book with what might seem like a rather thin story line, yet I find myself completely engrossed and unable to put it down.

Initially, I was completely unaware that there were two additional books in this series. However, now that I know, I am absolutely determined to read the next one.

She is most definitely one of my favorite authors, and in some ways, she reminds me of Anne Tyler. There is just something about her writing style and the way she develops her stories and characters that keeps me coming back for more. I can't wait to see what she has in store for me in the next installment of this series.

Started out thinking this book was just okay. The characters seemed not very developed at first. However, after getting through the first 40 - 50 pages, a remarkable change occurred. I truly began to feel a deep connection with the story and the characters within it.

The emotions and feelings presented were so honest. For instance, there was true friendship that still demanded self-coaching to be happy for a friend's success. This aspect really touched me.

In fact, while reading some parts of this book, I became very emotional. The relationships and the characters' feelings about those relationships were so genuine and true to my own experiences.

Although some parts of the book seemed a bit too neatly wrapped up in the events that took place, overall, this was a highly satisfying read. It had the power to draw me in, make me feel, and leave me with a sense of fulfillment.

I would definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy stories that explore the depth of human relationships and emotions.

Rosie's father passes away when she is still young.

She is then brought up by her mother who is often bored and struggles with alcoholism.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, manages to find a best friend in Rae, who is a neighbor.

Meanwhile, Rosie forms a deep friendship with her classmate Sharon.

These two girls share a great many things together. However, there is a secret that they both hold, and this secret is causing them both pain.

It weighs on them, affecting their relationship and perhaps even their well-being.

They keep this secret hidden, not knowing how to deal with the emotions and consequences that it brings.

Their friendship, while strong in many ways, is also being tested by this unspoken truth.

As they continue to navigate through life, they must find a way to come to terms with this secret and move forward.

I truly loved this book for a certain period of time. It had many aspects that initially captured my interest and held my attention. However, there was one thing that I didn't quite like. The "event" in question took place rather late in the story, towards the end. This timing felt a bit off to me. It seemed as if it could have been better integrated earlier in the narrative to have a more significant impact. Instead, it felt almost rushed or added as an afterthought. Despite this one drawback, I still had a certain affection for the book overall. But the placement of that particular "event" did leave me with a bit of a sense of dissatisfaction.

I initially began with a profound love for this book, and I was truly excited.

However, I thought that she utilized an excessive number of pop culture references instead of vividly describing body expressions and/or feelings.

This aspect slightly dampened my enthusiasm for a while.

Nevertheless, about halfway through the book, my love for it was rekindled.

I realized that it was actually a really great book.

The story had a certain charm and depth that managed to draw me back in.

The author's unique writing style, despite the overuse of pop culture references in the beginning, ultimately proved to be engaging and captivating.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to others, as it has the ability to take readers on an interesting and fulfilling literary journey.

An easy read to warm you up through the winter (or get you through those midnight feeds with a newborn).

This is the perfect book for those cold winter nights when you just want to snuggle up and lose yourself in a good story. It's also great for new parents who are up all night feeding their little ones and need something to keep them company.

The book is filled with heartwarming tales and engaging characters that will draw you in from the very first page. It's an easy read that won't require a lot of mental effort, but will still leave you feeling satisfied and entertained.

Whether you're looking for a way to pass the time during the long winter months or a little something to brighten up those sleepless nights with a newborn, this book is sure to do the trick. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, find a cozy spot on the couch, and get ready to be transported to a world of warmth and charm.