Another difficult but rewarding book; it must be read in small bits.

On one level, it is about a young teenage tennis player, her mother, and stepdad, and how hard it is to be young.

It also delves into how hard it is to be the mother of someone who is just in the process of becoming.

Moreover, it touches on grief, love, and trust. There is so much here to explore.

It's really good. I should read it again to fully understand all the nuances and emotions it conveys.

The story seems to offer a deep and complex look into the lives of these characters, making it a captivating read.

I'm looking forward to uncovering more of its secrets with each subsequent reading.

It's one of those books that makes you think and feel, and I'm glad I picked it up.

Maybe on my next read, I'll discover something new and gain an even deeper appreciation for it.

Overall, it's a great book that I would highly recommend to others.

I truly liked this piece a great deal.

The author's understanding and insights into the psyche of a young girl were simply remarkable.

Can we really recall the intense pain, the pure joy, and the overwhelming fear that we experienced when we were just 13 or 14 years old?

Ms. Lamont presents a very realistic and vivid picture of those emotions and the experiences that come with that age.

Although the story wraps up a little too neatly for my taste, other than that minor flaw, it offers a highly convincing look into the lives of a family that endures tragedy and addiction and then attempts to move forward.

The portrayal of the family's journey of moving on seems more genuine and real than many other similar stories that I have read.

I must give credit to Ms. Lamont for her excellent work in creating such a believable and engaging narrative.

Overall, it was a great read that left a lasting impression on me.

The writer truly excels in塑造 the main character of Rosie. Not only that, but the side characters such as her stepfather, the family's friends, and Simone, her best friend, are also well-developed.

The story takes off in an exciting way when the creepy tennis watcher has an encounter with Rosie. This moment adds a sense of mystery and tension to the narrative.

However, as the story progresses, it starts to lag a bit towards the end. This is mainly due to the fact that Rosie's mother begins to disappear into a depression. The focus on her mother's mental state seems to slow down the pace of the story and takes away some of the initial excitement.

Overall, despite the slight dip in momentum towards the end, the writer has done a remarkable job in creating a captivating story with interesting characters.

This is a remarkable book that delves into the world of tennis, yet it encompasses so much more.

It explores themes of family, love, the journey of growing up, the art of letting go, and the importance of holding on.

Anne Lamott is refreshingly honest, unafraid to expose the less glamorous and even dirty side of life.

Personally, I know very little about tennis. Some of the game's techniques seemed rather incomprehensible to me. However, I was able to clearly see how the sport relates to real life.

Just like in tennis, in life we have our good days when we play well, and our bad days when we play poorly. Sometimes, we might even cheat, hoping to move on to better things.

The final game that Rosie plays against Deb and Sue is written with such power and vividness that I could easily envision it as a captivating movie scene.

After reading this book, I am eager to visit the library and discover more of Anne Lamott's wonderful works.

Her writing has the ability to touch the heart and make us reflect on our own lives.

I am currently engrossed in reading this novel. To be honest, novels have never been my top favorite. However, the fact that I am continuing to read this particular one is indeed a great compliment to Anne. I find myself truly enjoying Anne's vivid imagery. She is unafraid to be brutally honest, even when it makes the reader feel a little uncomfortable. The raw sensation of each moment comes across so powerfully.

So far, the story seems rather simple. It revolves around a young teenager who is involved in competitive tennis. Alongside that, it delves into her relationship with her mom and step-dad. We get to see the various dynamics and emotions that play out within this family. It's interesting to observe how the young girl navigates through the challenges of her sport while also dealing with the complexities of her family life.

As I continue to read, I am eager to see how the story unfolds and what other surprises Anne has in store for us. Will the young girl achieve success in her tennis career? How will her relationships with her mom and step-dad evolve? These questions keep me turning the pages, eager to find out more.

This is a quiet, beautiful little book.

As many reviewers have pointed out, there isn't an abundance of plot. However, if you persevere with it, it's the kind of book that will remain with you. There are those little lines, seemingly throwaway lines, that linger in your mind until you unlock their meaning and realize that they are precisely what you needed.

It's a story that delves into childhood, longing, grief, and existence. It meanders through, much like life itself, not with flash and adrenaline, but with truth and goodness permeating every page.

This book has a certain charm that draws you in and makes you reflect on the simple yet profound aspects of life. It may not have a complex and action-packed plot, but its understated beauty and the power of its words make it a memorable read.

You'll find yourself thinking about the characters and their experiences long after you've finished the book, and perhaps, you'll discover something new and meaningful within its pages each time you pick it up.

It's a book that reminds us that sometimes, the most profound stories are the ones that are told in the simplest of ways.

When I initially embarked on reading this book, my enthusiasm was rather limited. This truly disappointed me to a great extent as I have a deep affection for Anne Lamott. It should be noted that this is the very first work of fiction by her that I have delved into.

It took a considerable amount of time for the story to grip me and for me to become accustomed to her writing style. However, once I managed to do so, I found myself completely enamored with the characters and their endearing little idiosyncrasies.

Approximately halfway through the book, I felt an irresistible urge to continue reading, which is a remarkable turn of events considering that for the first few chapters, I had seriously contemplated stopping. Initially, I wasn't at all certain whether I would ever venture to read any more of her fictional works.

But now that I have successfully completed the book, I find myself quite receptive to the idea of exploring more of her literary creations in the future.

I just completed this book and truly relished it.

It is centered around a girl named Josie Fergeson. Josie engages in tennis. At the commencement of the book, one might assume that the Fergesons are merely an ordinary country club family with a daughter who plays tennis. However, that family is not like that in the slightest.

This book delves into Josie's life and her tennis journey. Apart from the language and certain inappropriate subjects, it was really excellent.

The story unfolds, revealing the true nature of the Fergeson family and the various challenges and triumphs that Josie experiences in her life and on the tennis court.

It offers a captivating look into her world, making it a truly engaging read.

Despite the few drawbacks, the overall quality of the book makes it well worth the read.

I really enjoyed this book. The final message it conveyed was truly wonderful and had a profound impact on me. However, I must admit that it took an incredibly long time for the story to reach that point. There were several moments throughout my reading when I found myself thinking, "Okay, when is something exciting or significant going to happen?"

Looking back, I realize that if I had set my expectations differently and understood from the beginning that this was going to be a slower-paced read, I probably would have enjoyed it even more. It's important to approach such books with the right mindset.

My advice to others who might be interested in reading this book is that it is indeed a great one, but they should expect a slow build. Don't rush through it; instead, take your time and savor the details and the gradual unfolding of the story. In the end, you'll be rewarded with a memorable and thought-provoking experience.

Last night, as I was sleeping,

I dreamt—marvelous error!—

that I had a beehive

Here inside my heart.

And the golden bees

were making white combs

and sweet honey

From my old failures. -Antonio Machada (from Times Alone)

The excerpt above is in the preface of Crooked Little Heart. I had a mixed experience with Anne Lamott's works. I really enjoyed the first one I picked up, but for some unknown reason, I couldn't finish the second. So, I hadn't touched any of her books since then. However, as I was wrapping up my last exam and requesting piles of books from my saved lists in my library account, this particular one caught my eye. The title, Crooked Little Heart, seemed interesting, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to give Lamott another chance. This is a novel, the first of hers that I've read. It was a quick read that I finished in just a couple of days, and I was immediately drawn into the story.

The characters in this novel are far from perfect. They are messy, flawed, and very human. At times, I found myself so frustrated with them that I wanted to reach through the pages and shake some sense into them. But that's what makes the story so engaging. Lamott portrays the characters with such honesty, showing not only their faults but also their redemptive qualities, their ability to forgive, and their subtle yet obvious love for one another. It's this combination of realism and heart that makes Crooked Little Heart a truly enjoyable read.

Rosie, who is in her thirteenth year, has a rather complicated family situation. Her father has passed away, and she now has a stepfather. Her mother is an alcoholic who is constantly in mourning. Despite all these challenges, during this last summer of her innocent days, Rosie is a tennis champ.

Lamott tells her story with such remarkable truth and warmth that it becomes almost impossible for me to put the book down for any distraction, no matter how crucial it may seem. Whether it's going to work, coming home, feeding my cat, feeding my fish, or hauling buckets of water around, nothing can divert my attention from this captivating narrative.

There are numerous stories within these pages, each one rich and complex, following the life of these individuals, this family, and this remarkable girl. Lamott's writing style draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are a part of Rosie's world, experiencing her joys and sorrows right along with her. It's a truly engaging and unforgettable read.

It would have been significantly easier reading if I had known anything about tennis.

Tennis is a complex and fascinating sport with its own set of rules, strategies, and terminologies. Without any prior knowledge of it, trying to understand the text related to tennis can be quite a challenge.

I found myself constantly having to look up words and concepts that were unfamiliar to me. It made the reading experience slower and more laborious.

If only I had taken the time to learn about tennis beforehand, I could have breezed through the text and fully grasped the ideas and details being presented.

Now, I realize the importance of having some background knowledge in a particular subject when attempting to read and understand related materials. It not only enhances the reading experience but also helps in better comprehension and retention of the information.