Read this decades-old novel and it immediately transported me back to being 13. I vividly recalled the act of defiantly cutting off my newly permed hair as a way to assert myself. Oh, how glad I am not to be 13 anymore!
I truly liked this novel. However, I must admit that the pace often dragged, and the characters frequently got involved in each other's affairs in ways that I couldn't quite fathom. Maybe it's because I don't have enough friends!
Rosie's story and the structure provided by the tennis competitions, which serve as a powerful metaphor, are quite engaging. The novel reprises many of Lamott's key themes, such as family, hearts that are torn and yet mending, recovery, resurrections of various kinds, marriage, kaleidoscopic love, and the challenges of being a teenager, among much more.
I was particularly drawn to the story of this patched-together family that makes such a valiant effort to love both themselves and others. It's a tale that tugs at the heartstrings and offers a poignant exploration of the human condition.

"But easy's like, who cares? Easy's like, how much is easy going to get you?" writes the wise Anne Lamott.

It's quite fitting since she never lets her characters or her readers off easy. She drags us through the emotional muck. But you know what? That's life.

I'm glad she doesn't gloss over the facts. The key word is compassion. She loves Elizabeth and Rosie and James even as they completely screw up. I believe Lamott even says in Bird By Bird that a writer must love her characters but still allow bad things to happen to them.

This is the sequel to Rosie, and I preferred it for some reason. Is it simply less frustrating to read about a now-sober alcoholic? Or has Lamott become a better writer?

I do feel as though she is getting better at the novel format, despite my love for the early work of Joe Jones. It just feels as though the literary choices are being made more often on purpose.

I like to know I'm in good hands. Lamott's writing style is unique and engaging. She doesn't shy away from the hard truths of life, which makes her stories all the more relatable.

The characters in her novels are complex and flawed, just like real people. By allowing bad things to happen to them, she shows us that life isn't always easy and that we have to face our problems head-on.

Overall, I think Anne Lamott is a talented writer who has a lot to offer. Her novels are a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the human condition and gain a deeper understanding of life.

Anne Lamott is widely known for her remarkable personal essays.

Her essays are not only comfortable to read but also hilarious, and they have the power to truly touch one's heart.

However, when it comes to this particular book, it seems to have missed the mark.

It attempted to achieve the same qualities as her essays but unfortunately fell short, especially for those who are already familiar with Lamott's essay-writing style.

The book reads in a rather predictable manner. The teenage tantrums are described with an adult's nostalgia, which makes them lose their authenticity and come across as flat.

Moreover, everything in the book is covered in a thick, sticky, and oozy coating of "love." This overabundance of "love" makes the plot overly saccharine and almost unbelievable.

In conclusion, while Anne Lamott's personal essays are truly outstanding, this book fails to live up to the same standards.

I have perused the majority of LaMott's non-fiction compositions and have relished each and every one of them. This novel is no different. I wholeheartedly appreciate her writing style, as her sentences are veritable works of art. The plot unfolds gradually, providing ample time to acquaint oneself with the characters before being thrust into the midst of conflict. There is time to become engaged in their lives and share the same problems and issues that are a part of one's own. By the conclusion of the book, all the plots are neatly wrapped up, and a sense of closure is achieved. Beautifully written descriptive phrases are interspersed throughout the text, adding a touch of elegance and vividness.

Rae had converted to Christianity two years prior. She also persisted as a left-wing activist, yet now she endeavored to perceive Jesus in everyone.

She didn't resemble the beautiful girls. She was a diminutive stick figure.

Rosie was cognizant that the things she said wounded her mother, but why did her mother have to be so irritating and so strange?

The sun emitted a warm fragrance, similar to that of laundry in the dryer or melting yellow crayons.

Good story.

However, she would write something beautifully and I'd think, "Wow."

And then she'd do that same exact thing again, and again and again.

And I'd think, "Uh okay. Enough. This is all she has in her bag of tricks."

Plus, someone on Amazon once said that she had all her characters constantly saying "I need you to..."

This repetition can sometimes make the reading experience a bit monotonous.

It would be nice if she could vary her writing style more and not rely so much on the same techniques.

Perhaps she could explore different ways to develop her characters and tell her stories.

That way, the readers would be more engaged and less likely to feel like they are reading the same thing over and over again.

Overall, while the story may have its good points, the lack of variety in her writing can be a bit of a drawback.

I'm truly glad that I made the decision to read this particular book right after finishing Rosie. This past summer, I spent an inordinate amount of time with the Ferguson family. It was as if they became my own extended family during that period.

When I finally reached the end of this story, a sense of sadness washed over me. I felt a profound sense of loss because I was now "done" being with these characters that I had come to know so intimately. They had become a part of my life, and saying goodbye was not easy.

Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed the tennis aspect of the story. Tennis happens to be the one sport that I can play with some degree of proficiency. It added an extra layer of interest and connection for me. Additionally, the Bay Area references were a delightful touch. They brought a sense of familiarity and local charm to the narrative, making it even more engaging and enjoyable.

Overall, this reading experience was both fulfilling and bittersweet. I will surely miss the Ferguson family and the wonderful world that the author created.

Anne Lamott has a remarkable quality of not being afraid to let things simply be.

She doesn't have the urge to overexplain every little detail, firmly believing that her readers are intelligent enough to understand the essence of her message without excessive emphasis. This, to me, is the most endearing aspect of this book.

Admittedly, the story doesn't have a whirlwind of events. The plot isn't as action-packed as I might have initially desired, which is why I took my time while reading it. However, the real allures lie in the characters and Lamott's beautiful writing.

A book with a plot such as this one requires truly vivid and lively characters to propel it forward, and Lamott does an excellent job of creating them.

It's a calm and soothing read, a good read that allows you to unwind and lose yourself in its pages. It's a quiet read that gently touches your heart and mind. And without a doubt, Anne Lamott is an author that I will definitely come back to in the future.

This was my very first fiction book to read by Lamott. I had recently delved into her memoir-esque work, Traveling Mercies, and truly found it captivating. So, I decided to give one of her novels a try.

When it comes to the story itself, I have to admit that Crooked Little Heart struck me as rather dull. There were an abundance of details, yet the plot failed to pique my interest.

However, in terms of character development, Lamott did an outstanding job. I became completely immersed in the characters and their unique little idiosyncrasies.

The one aspect of this book that really resonated with me was the theme of confession. You find yourself grappling with each character's internal turmoil. Their terrible little secrets lurk throughout the entire narrative. And then, as each character confesses their sadness, guilt, fear, and so on to one another, you experience a sense of relief just like the character does.

There is also a prominent theme of community that weaves its way through the book. It's almost like the whole "it takes a village" concept. I absolutely adored that aspect.

So, while there were many things that I liked about the book, I can't say that I loved it. I found myself getting bored on several occasions and wished she would stop describing things at such length. Nevertheless, it is a relatively fast read, and I would definitely recommend giving it a chance.

I truly relished this book.

It commenced at a somewhat sluggish pace, yet as the story unfolded and details were unveiled, it emerged as an outstanding book that delved into the significance of small matters, rather than being a book solely about grand and momentous events.

And that's perfectly okay.

If you have an interest in individuals who are in the process of recovery and who lead complex lives within a small town, then this is an excellent book for you.

It offers a unique perspective and explores the nuances of their experiences, emotions, and relationships.

The author has done a remarkable job of painting a vivid picture of these characters and their world, making it easy for the reader to become engaged and invested in their stories.

Overall, it's a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

It bogged down when both mother and daughter underwent a complicated breakdown of some sort.

Annie is a truly complicated author. She has this unique quality where she never hides from her true feelings. She doesn't shy away from putting it all out there, no matter how raw or intense those emotions might be. And this openness is what makes her work so rewarding.

Whenever I thought I couldn't relate to what was going on in her story, Anne would place a luscious paragraph that simply pulsed from the page. It was as if those words had a life of their own, reaching out and touching me on a deep level.

Her writing has the power to make me feel a whole range of emotions, from joy to sadness, from excitement to contemplation. It's like she is inviting me into her world and allowing me to experience it with her.

Annie's ability to convey complex emotions and experiences through her writing is truly remarkable. It makes me appreciate the art of literature even more and reminds me of the profound impact that a good book can have on our lives.

I have a profound love for tennis, so I was truly overjoyed when I discovered that it served as a major theme in this book.

The story has a certain charm that reminds me of the works of Elisabeth Berg or Anne Tyler. It is filled with numerous positive and accepting relationships, as well as the in-depth processing of emotions.

Although there may not be an abundance of action, the descriptions of tennis are done in an exciting and engaging manner. Moreover, the exploration of the inner workings of a teenage girl is highly believable, which adds to the overall authenticity of the story.

Overall, I simply liked this book. It managed to capture my interest with its unique blend of themes and characters, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the reading experience.

I simply can't get enough of Anne Lamott. Her writing style is truly captivating, and I am completely enamored with the way she focuses on the characters.

Take, for example, their "garage sale" family. This book offers such precious and profound insights into the lives of new teenagers and the adults who surround them.

It presents a portrayal that is both incredibly real and refreshingly raw. The stories unfold with a authenticity that makes it easy for readers to connect and empathize.

Anne Lamott has a remarkable ability to bring these characters to life on the page, allowing us to experience their joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

Her writing is a true gift, and I find myself constantly drawn back to her work, eager to explore more of the rich and complex worlds she creates.

Whether you're a teenager yourself or an adult looking to gain a better understanding of the younger generation, this book is a must-read.

It will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and chaos of life as seen through the eyes of these unforgettable characters.