Sometimes I really loathe this site. This is easily the third or fourth instance this month where I have painstakingly written a multi-page review, only to have it vanish into thin air when I click on the "save" button. Sigh. Well, here goes again...

I have an intense affection for this book. I adore this author. I cherish the honesty of this approach. I appreciate a parent who doesn't subscribe to the notion that a good parent should keep their mouth firmly shut.

I am enamored with the perspective from a parent of a colicky child (even though her child started sleeping through the night relatively early - mine is 16 months and still hasn't reached that stage).

I love her liberal, humane take on faith.

That is precisely why it earns a place among my favorite non-fiction works. So, why does it only merit three stars?

Her completely barbaric, silly, and uneducated view of men.

As the primary caregiver of my child and a male, perhaps it struck a nerve more deeply with me, but...

Do all men enjoy ogling themselves erect in a mirror? Do all men make machine gun noises while they pee? Are all men emotionally bankrupt and incapable of being whole?

Her claims are as sexist and preposterous as those who once sought to deny women equal rights. Is payback really fair play, or is it just a display of one's own brand of idiocy? In this case, it simply comes across as a rather sad form of vengeance.

Otherwise, I truly love this book and this author, but I will not turn a blind eye to bigotry, even if it is in the form of reverse discrimination...

I can only hope that she has raised her child above the gender war that she so passionately feels a part of.

A new mom, an expecting mom, daddy, a girl who dreams of being a mother one day, men who look forward to having a family, and a single mom - all should read this. It's also a must-read for those who think love and babies are all about good things and that they'll be taken care of on their own or by women when the time comes.

I first heard of Anne Lamott in reference to this book. I was overjoyed to find it on sale along with some other rare ones. The name alone gives an idea of the theme. But there's so much more to the vase of a mother's heart, which holds blossoms of emotions, a range of colorful flowers. The first thing that strikes you is her humor, brutal honesty, and wisdom. Deciding to bring up a baby single-handedly or abusing drugs may not be wise decisions, but you'll understand what I mean when you read it.

I enjoyed following her journey, from having to travel in a car when there were no labor rooms available in her regular hospital to her son's arrival at the cabin, the crazy nights when she wished to put the baby out in the cold, her panic about having a pet cat at home that might kill the baby, and the daily colicky nights until she accepted and made peace with her fears.

The book is filled with nuggets of wisdom throughout, and I couldn't help but highlight paragraph after paragraph. Her words, like "Every time I say yes when I mean no, I'm abandoning myself," and "No is a complete sentence," are both powerful and thought-provoking.

I loved how she compared little Sam to the marbles in a manicure and how she wants him to outlive her. The way she writes is engaging and easy to follow, making it a page-turner. I wish all authors would keep journals and publish them. We're all imperfect, and it's easy to connect when others talk about their imperfections, especially when they have such an easygoing, simple, and engaging writing style. It's like listening to a candid tête-à-tête. This book is a quick read full of humor, honesty, and wisdom.

I have a deep affection for Anne Lamott, and her book "Traveling Mercies" has truly transformed my life.

When I began to read this book (bearing in mind that I have young children), I was immediately drawn into her captivating writing. I absolutely love how she delves right into the core of matters.

She undoubtedly has a remarkable way with words.

I can envision that perhaps if I had read this book when my first child was born, I would have found it even more relatable. At that time, I would have been extremely grateful to read about the highs and lows of motherhood and how drastic they can be, and not feel so isolated in the chaos.

Since the post-partum haze and anxiety are all too familiar to me, I didn't necessarily need that aspect of the book. Instead, I focused on the other parts. However, I found her political anger rather difficult to overlook. The rest of the content was good, and I understand that it is a (presumably edited) journal. But it was a bit harsher and more whiny than I could truly relate to.

Nonetheless, I don't regret reading it, but I don't think I would recommend it to a large number of people.

Lamott's early non-fiction books are truly remarkable, and this particular one stands out as one of the best.

In 2005, I found myself picking up this book for the second time. It's quite strange that I don't remember the exact date of my first reading.

Each time I delve into its pages, I discover new insights and perspectives. The author's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, drawing the reader in from the very beginning.

The book covers a wide range of topics, from personal experiences to broader social issues. Lamott's ability to connect these seemingly disparate elements is truly impressive.

Whether you're a fan of non-fiction or simply looking for a good read, this book is definitely worth checking out. It's a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.

This is not an empowering book.

It is a let-me-feel-sorry-for-myself kind of book.

At a certain point, it has become trendy and "good writing" to use vulgar language and make shocking statements like "I hate my baby".

While I recognize that feeling overwhelmed is very real for some mothers, especially those without a partner (and I myself am in the latter category), reading "Operating Instructions" gave me a dark feeling, somewhat similar to the feeling that reading Dostoevsky brings (minus the mastery of the prose).

Lamott describes herself as being in a dark hole for most of that first year, unwashed, depressed, extremely tired and lonely, with only rare glimpses of her son's beauty.

I think many of her problems stem from her self-acknowledged past substance abuse issues and losing her father some years earlier, rather than from having a baby on her own.

All in all, I would much rather read a positive, upbeat book written by someone who is capable of maintaining self-discipline and organizing their lives than an author who aims to be brutally honest but really sounds like just another ordinary mess of a person.

This kind of book does not inspire or uplift, but rather leaves the reader with a sense of gloom and dissatisfaction.

There are many other books out there that can offer hope and practical advice to new mothers, and I would recommend seeking those out instead.

Absolutely gutted by the final note. It really hit me hard and left me with a sense of disappointment.

And of course, bemused by reading this with two little infants next to me. Their presence added an interesting and somewhat chaotic element to the whole experience.

But overall, the takeaway is how insightful and hilarious she is. Her words have a way of making me both think deeply and burst out laughing. It's truly a unique combination that keeps me coming back for more. I can't wait to see what else she has in store.

This book truly touched my soul when it comes to the topic of mothering a baby in its first year. I happened to read it during the same time period as her child grew, and yes, it took me a whole year to finish. In these days, it just takes me a long time to sit down and actually read a book. However, it was enjoyable every time I picked it up. I really needed to read someone else's struggle with a newborn while I was dealing with the same thing.

Here is a wonderful excerpt that I found and couldn't help but laugh out loud at. She is expressing her concerns about what her son will have to face in the future, and this is what she describes as the worst.

"...worse than just about anything else is the agonizing issue of how on earth anyone can bring a child into this world knowing full well that he or she is eventually going to have to go through the seventh and eighth grades. The seventh and eighth grades were for me, and for every single good and interesting person I've ever known, what the writers of the Bible meant when they used the words hell and the pit. ...[Seventh and eighth grades] were about violence, meanness, chaos. They were about 'The Lord of the Flies. ...There is a beautiful poem by a man named Roy Fuller, which ends, 'Hurt beyond hurting, never to forget,' and whenever I remember those lines, which is often, I think of my father's death ten year ago this month, and I think about seventh and eighth grades."

I discovered so many such precious passages like the one above that made me both laugh and cry. She just perfectly captures what I was feeling at many stages of a baby's first year. I truly love her authenticity when it comes to motherhood and faith.

This didn't age well at all.

On one hand, it contains some truly beautiful, brilliant, and hilarious little snippets of journaling about her son's first year of life. These parts are filled with warmth, love, and a touch of humor that makes the reader smile.

However, on the other hand, there are some totally cringey parts. There are some borderline racist lines that are uncomfortable to read and make one question the author's perspective.

Moreover, there is some overtly indulgent navel-gazing. The author seems to be saying, "I was once f*cked up but totally cleaned up and found God and want everyone to know it" in a rather self-righteous way.

Overall, while the journal has its moments of charm, these negative aspects unfortunately overshadow the positive and make it a less-than-ideal read.

It's a shame that what could have been a wonderful record of a mother's journey with her son has been marred by these issues.

Perhaps with a bit of reflection and editing, the author could have created a more balanced and engaging piece.

As it stands, though, it serves as a reminder that our words and perspectives can have a lasting impact and should be chosen carefully.

Anne Lamott has a down-to-earth voice that I truly enjoy.

Her words have a way of making me laugh, even in the face of difficult or sad situations.

As I read about the first few weeks of her son's life, it all sounded very familiar to me.

It was comforting to know that this experience, with all its challenges and love, is a common one.

I can't help but look forward to the next months with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

What will the future hold for her and her son?

How will they grow and change together?

These are the questions that keep me turning the pages, eager to find out more.

I am grateful for Anne Lamott's honest and relatable writing, which has given me a new perspective on motherhood and life in general.

This is truly the best parenting book ever!

Just when you think you've reached your breaking point, Anne Lammott comes along and makes it okay to experience all the frustrations and pain, as well as the awe and overwhelming love for your little one.

When my second child refused to sleep more than 2 hours at a time for a whopping 3 months, and I was working full time, I was at my wit's end. I bought every single book I could find on getting your child to sleep.

Finally, I called in sick, sent my kid to daycare, and read this entire book in one day (in between naps). I had already read it with my first baby, but this time, I felt so rejuvenated that I had the strength to face more sleepless nights.

It's just another reminder that laughter truly is the best medicine and can help us get through even the toughest of times.

So many "expecting momma" books seem to be overly concerned with rather superficial aspects. They might focus on finding the most comfy stilettos that a pregnant woman could wear, or micromanaging the minutiae of properly outfitting a nursery down to the tiniest detail. Some even discuss how to juggle a briefcase while also dealing with the housekeeper.

However, Anne takes a completely different approach. She delves right into the trenches, exploring the raw and real emotions that come with starting motherhood. There's the exhaustion that seems to never end, the elation of those precious first moments with the baby, the frustration when things don't go as planned, and yes, even the insanity that can sometimes set in.

Thank you, Anne, for writing such a book. It has truly helped me to feel less lonely in this chaotic whirlwind of motherhood. Her words are funny, yet brutally honest. They are touching and, most importantly, they are real real real. It's like having a friend by your side who understands exactly what you're going through.

What a truly beautiful story it is! It's about the journey of becoming a mother, relying on the support of others in the community, and triumphing over personal struggles. This is my very first encounter with this author's work, and I have to say that I was completely captivated by her writing style. It was an absolute delight to read along and hear her thoughts unfold on the page.

As a new mother myself, this book was highly recommended to me, and I can't express how relatable it was. It captured all the turmoil, the intense emotions, and the lack of sleep that come with early motherhood. I especially loved how she discussed her friends and family, and that little mention of the cat added a touch of charm.

I could sense the authenticity in her words, and it was incredibly easy to follow, even when listening to the audiobook. There were so many experiences and thoughts in this book that I could identify with, and it felt so validating. I would unhesitatingly recommend this book to any first-time mother.