While I did truly enjoy "Nanny Goodman's Writer's Block," it wasn't my favorite Anne Lamott story. This engaging narrative chronicles the youth of Nanny Goodman, a young girl growing up in a unique household. Her mother is extremely religious, yet also progressive, while her father earns a living by writing. The story unfolds with Lamott's characteristic charm, including some great passages and wonderful descriptions that bring the characters and their world to life. However, overall I felt like the book lacked a clear direction. At times, the plot seemed to meander, and I found myself longing for a more focused storyline. As always, Anne Lamott's quaint and eloquent writing style captures the essence of life and adolescence perfectly. Her ability to describe the smallest details and the most profound emotions is truly remarkable. Yet, I could have done with just a little bit more of something - perhaps a stronger central conflict or a more developed character arc.

I'm not really a big fan of Ann Lamott, so I'm not entirely sure why I ended up buying this book. Perhaps it was because it was a good deal at a yard sale. However, it turned out to be an interesting enough quick read for a lazy Sunday.

Nanny is growing up in a town near San Francisco in the 1960s, a time that was turbulent due to the ready availability of drugs and fathers leaving their families. Her own family is a complete mess. Her mother is depressed, her father is a workaholic, her older brother is constantly stoned, and her uncle fathers a baby with her mother's best friend. Gee... it sounds like a real laugh fest, doesn't it? Maybe I found it attractive precisely because it was nearly the polar opposite of my own youth in the 1960s.

The book offers a vivid portrayal of a dysfunctional family and the challenges that Nanny has to face growing up in such an environment. It makes you think about how different people's lives can be and how the circumstances we are born into can have a significant impact on our future.

Overall, while I may not be a die-hard fan of Ann Lamott, this book was still an enjoyable read that provided some food for thought on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

More like 2.4. I truly liked a significant portion of her writing style. She had a great penchant for using the five senses to vividly describe things. Some of those descriptions were indeed very lovely and engaging, painting a clear picture in my mind. However, my main issue was more with the story itself. It seemed to lack a proper direction as it didn't really go anywhere in a meaningful way. What's more, it skipped a whole bunch of time periods that I was really interested in reading about. This could have potentially been fine if the ending had provided some sort of closure. Unfortunately, the ending didn't really have any. The title, with the one reference to it in the middle, sort of gave me a glimmer of hope that there might be something to hold on to at the end, but in reality, it didn't quite deliver.

So much pathos,

such a keen portrayal of the people, times and its issues, and writing well-crafted...such was this book for me. I so loved Lamott's Bird by Bird, that it would have been a task for this novel to live up to my expectations. For all the dysfunction, confusion, and sadness faced by her characters here, she makes a concerted effort to lift the reader up though vivid descriptions of the life, color, and beauty that Nature affords us all, even as we struggle.

Here is a book of essentially character profiles against the backdrop of the times. It reminds us that as we move through our lives there are the people who we once were and who surrounded us only to be replaced by the new people we often become and find to complete the cycles of our lives.

It was a nice read albeit a sad one, despite her best efforts to inject the humorous. Perhaps the book hit too close to home for me. It made me reflect on my own life and the various people and experiences that have shaped me. The characters in the book felt so real, as if I could have known them in my own life. Lamott's writing is truly masterful, as she is able to bring these characters to life and make us care about them deeply.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written, thought-provoking novel that explores the human condition. It may be a sad read at times, but it is also a beautiful and inspiring one that will leave you with a greater appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life.

This was a truly refreshing book to read.

I have a deep love for her unique style. The subject matter presented is rather harsh, as the lives of the main characters are all too real, with both their strengths and weaknesses laid bare.

I have always held in high regard the give and take relationship that her characters have with God. They are constantly wondering, hoping, and at times, experiencing stunned disbelief in the face of unexpected twists in life.

However, they always manage to come back to the path of cultivating a relationship with God, and this relationship looks different for every single person.

It is this diversity and authenticity that make the book so engaging and thought-provoking.

It makes one reflect on one's own relationship with the divine and how it evolves through the various stages and challenges of life.

The author's ability to bring these complex themes to life in a relatable and accessible way is truly remarkable.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking spiritual inspiration and a deeper understanding of the human experience.

I liked this book, but I didn't like it as much as the other books I've read by Lamott.

The novel kicks off with Nan Goodman returning to her hometown following the passing of her father and her painful divorce. She visits a hypnotist who has her recall all the agonizing and shameful moments of her life, going as far back as her earliest memories. Subsequently, he has her step into each scene as an adult and offer comfort to herself as a child. This enables her to view the events of her life not solely through a child's perspective but also through her own adult eyes, facilitating self-forgiveness and self-help.

The novel then seamlessly transitions into recounting Nan's story of growing up. It is arduous, painful, and authentic. I valued Lamott's candor, yet the book seemed to be pervaded by a subdued depression throughout that never really dissipated. It had a promising premise, excellent writing, and a delicate touch, but unfortunately, the story became stagnant.

Anything by Anne Lamott always gets 5 stars (from me, anyway).

Her writing is like a warm embrace that draws you in and makes you feel understood.

She has a unique way of expressing complex emotions and ideas in a simple yet profound manner.

Whether it's her essays, novels, or memoirs, each word seems to be carefully chosen to touch the reader's heart.

Anne Lamott's works are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

They make you look at the world from a different perspective and inspire you to be a better person.

Her writing has the power to heal, to comfort, and to motivate.

It's no wonder that she has such a large and dedicated following.

For me, reading anything by Anne Lamott is like going on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

I always come away from her books feeling enlightened and inspired.

So, if you haven't read any of her works yet, I highly recommend that you do.

You won't be disappointed.

This statement implies that whatever is being referred to may not have reached its absolute peak or been the very best example of its kind. However, it still manages to possess several qualities that make it worthwhile and engaging.

It is funny, which means it has the ability to make people laugh and find amusement. Laughter can bring joy and lighten the mood, making it an important aspect of any form of entertainment or communication.

In addition to being funny, it is also insightful. This suggests that it offers valuable perspectives, ideas, or understandings that can enhance our knowledge or awareness. Insightful content has the power to make us think, reflect, and gain a deeper appreciation for the subject matter.

Finally, it is poignant, which means it evokes strong emotions or feelings. Poignant content can touch our hearts, make us feel empathy, or even bring us to tears. It has the ability to connect with us on a deeper level and leave a lasting impression.

Overall, while this may not be the absolute best, it still has enough qualities to make it a worthy and enjoyable experience.

Honestly, I have to admit that I never managed to complete this book. I really should have, considering it was meant to be a short and quick read. However, for some reason, I just couldn't seem to get fully engaged with it or clearly envision the direction in which the story was headed. There were certain parts of the book that were written extremely well, almost in a poetic manner. This aspect did bring me some enjoyment. Maybe one day I will find the motivation to finish it, but I think I will need to be sitting upright at a desk in order to truly concentrate. It's strange how some books just click with you right away, while others require more effort and a specific environment to fully appreciate.

In general, I have a deep affection for Anne Lamott. This particular book is an older one, and initially, I had my doubts whether it would have a significant impact on me. However, that perception soon changed. I was raised in the bay area during the late 60's, and I could easily identify with the setting and the numerous changes that were occurring at that time. Periodically, her words would simply make me burst into laughter.

"I had to sleep with my hair in plastic curlers every night so that it would be straight in the morning. It was like sleeping on a pillowcase full of roller skates." At other moments, I was profoundly touched.

"Your mother can't accept that Casey is just growing up. You know her, she likes to fix us all. Like her blood is epoxy. That's why she married me, doll! Boy, was I a real fixer-upper. And most of the people who come to your mother want to be fixed, and so we let her fix us. But Casey doesn't even think he's broken. And maybe he isn't, and anyway Nanny, don't you think to be human IS to be broken?" And when she talked about the things we worry about.

"'Look at it this way,' he said to me. 'In a hundred years? --All new people.'" It is truly a beautiful and concise read that leaves a lasting impression.

I truly have a deep affection for Anne Lamott's fiction. It has a remarkable quality that makes it feel like watching the film "Boyhood" - it presents one genuine, authentic moment of life after another, without any pretense or hidden agenda.

This particular work, though, involves almost the same set of characters and dynamics as her Rosie Ferguson books. I have a great love for the Rosie series, as it offers a unique and engaging perspective.

However, I do wish that in this particular piece, she could have been a little less autobiographical. By doing so, she could have avoided creating a situation where it feels like she is writing essentially the same book but with a different melody. It would be interesting to see her explore new characters, new storylines, and new themes, while still maintaining the wonderful writing style and authenticity that she is known for.

This would allow her readers to continue to be captivated by her work while also experiencing something fresh and new.

I truly have a great affection for Lamott's writing style.

However, this particular book disappoints me as it seems to be a jumble of aimless and uninteresting ramblings of childhood memories.

It lacks a clear structure and a coherent narrative that would engage the reader.

The randomness of the memories makes it difficult to follow and understand the author's intended message.

While childhood memories can often be fascinating and provide valuable insights, in this case, they come across as disjointed and lacking in purpose.

It's a shame because Lamott has the potential to write something truly remarkable, but this book fails to live up to her usual standards.

Perhaps with a more focused approach and a tighter editing process, this could have been a more engaging and enjoyable read.

As it stands, it's a book that I would struggle to recommend to others.