I seem to have forgotten to add this book to my book log.

Probably because as soon as I finished it, I found myself irresistibly drawn to start reading it again.

I simply can't write rationally about Lamott.

It's like attempting to write logically about your very first junior high crush when you were just thirteen.

Here's the truth about my relationship with her.

I make every effort to obtain her books on the very day they are released.

I read them once, and then I promptly read them again.

I try to locate them in audio format and listen to them yet another time.

I even force other people to read her books, including agnostic friends who have taken to rolling their eyes whenever I mention the word Lamott.

I drive into Houston and shell out a significant amount of money to hear her speak at a benefit, and I don't even care about the cost.

I dare to bring my Author Tablecloth to the benefit and boldly ask Lamott to autograph it.

And, perhaps the most astonishing of all, I even trudge through her fiction, constantly wondering how someone who can write such beautiful nonfiction could produce such tedious fiction.

Yes, I'm one of those dreadful creatures: a raving fan.

This was my first encounter with Lamott's work.

I randomly picked up this book at a thrift store, completely unaware of how it compares to her numerous other publications.

Throughout the reading process, I was in a state of conflict.

On one hand, I really liked her unique voice and perspective, which added a certain charm to the narrative.

On the other hand, I also found her to be a bit snarky at times, which slightly diminished my respect for her.

This book was penned during the GW Bush years, and it is crystal clear that she is not a supporter.

Her intense hatred for him is repeatedly mentioned throughout the book, and more often than not, it seemed rather irrelevant to me.

However, despite these mixed feelings, I still have the desire to read another one of her books.

I believe that by doing so, I can gain a more comprehensive understanding and form a more rounded opinion of her writing.

Maybe the next book will offer a different perspective and help me appreciate her work even more.

Only time will tell.

Yesterday was a challenging 6-year anniversary, and it was also a tough one-week anniversary. Lamott's essays about faith served as a comforting balm. I devoured approximately half of this book intermittently as I engaged in other activities yesterday afternoon. It came to me in a strange manner too. Another librarian at my branch had placed a hold on it because she had forgotten that she had already read it. I inserted a note in it last Saturday when I noticed her hold, asking her to inform me how it was. Yesterday, she passed it on to me, and the other children's librarian (hi Anina!) in my branch also mentioned that she had read and liked it.

There are 7 sections, each consisting of 2 or 3 essays. I adored the first 3 sections. However, the 4th section, titled "Forgivishness," irritated me. I suppose it was in a good way because I continued reading. I am now on the 6th section, which has already brought tears to my eyes. It took me 3 days to complete this book entirely (late last night). When I woke up this morning, I was eager to read more. I believe this is the first time I have "missed" a collection of essays. I love it! Fortunately, she has published other books of essays! 4 1/2 stars.

Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
This review is the third in a series of three reviews of books that, in my opinion, are interconnected. Part A is Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder, and Part B is The Forgotten Affairs of Youth by Alexander McCall Smith. They are linked in my mind through their fascinating, enlightening, and unique examinations of the fundamental questions at the core of life. Each of them reveals how children inspire people to face previously unexamined concepts of morality and ethics.

In this book, the author reflects on her life and shares her evolving beliefs about God and spirituality. During her teenage years and twenties, she rejected conventional morality in favor of promiscuous sex, alcohol, and drugs. After hitting rock bottom, she overcame her addictions through AA and religion and became a single parent. She began to embrace Christian beliefs and shows in the book how these beliefs influenced some of her daily activities in altruistic ways. Confrontations with her son and others compelled her to see aspects of herself that were previously hidden. She needed a relationship with a higher power and the Christian concept of grace to cope, especially with motherhood.

In an attempt to "mother" a close friend who is dealing with a difficult marriage, the following dialogue showcases her approach:

“And why are we here, again?
I shrugged. We don’t know. We only sort of know. To live, love, help, to decorate, to sweep our huts and find some food.”

Lamott's writing is honest and relatable, as she openly shares her struggles and the journey that led her to find grace and meaning in her life. Her experiences offer valuable insights into the human condition and the power of faith to transform and heal. This book is not only a personal memoir but also a profound exploration of the universal questions that困扰 us all. It encourages readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values and to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Overall, Grace (Eventually) is a thought-provoking and inspiring read that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up.

This book was truly remarkable. It was honest and poetic, presenting the subject matter in a way that was both unflinching and uplifting.

It felt as if the author was speaking directly to me, addressing my questions and concerns about faith in a way that no one had ever done before.

This was my very first encounter with Lamott's work, and I was completely captivated.

I can't wait to explore more of her books and see what other insights and wisdom she has to offer.

The writing was engaging, the ideas were thought-provoking, and the overall experience was deeply moving.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a deeper understanding of faith or simply looking for a good read.

It has the power to touch your heart and change your perspective, and I am truly grateful to have discovered it.

This was my very first encounter with an Anne Lamott book, and I must admit that my feelings towards it are rather complex.

At certain moments, she manages to be uproariously hilarious, making me burst into laughter. However, there are also times when her language and expressions come across as crass and rough, which I find a bit off-putting.

Given my political views and my doctrinal stance as a Christian, I simply couldn't always align myself with her sometimes left-winged liberalism. It is quite evident throughout the book.

Nevertheless, despite these differences and reservations, all in all, the book still managed to be entertaining and intriguing. It held my attention and made me think, even if I didn't always agree with everything she had to say.

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

I managed to reach page 75. However, I soon grew tired of the egocentrism that was so prominent. Moreover, I became quite annoyed at the gratuitous GOP-bashing that seemed to occur in almost every single chapter. To me, this didn't seem to have much to do with grace at all. But perhaps that will change eventually. It's truly a pity because I really loved Lamott's writing style. Her words had a certain charm and fluidity that made reading her work initially quite enjoyable. But as I delved deeper into the book, these other aspects started to overshadow the positive qualities.

I found myself constantly being pulled out of the story by the repeated instances of what felt like unnecessary political jabs and the self-centered nature of the narrative. It's a shame that these elements detracted from what could have been a truly great reading experience.

Despite my disappointment, I still appreciate Lamott's talent as a writer. I just wish that the content had been more balanced and less focused on these particular issues that grated on my nerves.

Hmmmm.

I've noticed a plethora of truly negative reviews regarding this book from individuals who are fans of Anne Lamott. I, on the other hand, did take pleasure in it. And indeed, as other reviewers have pointed out, it is more of the same as what we were presented with in "Traveling Mercies" and "Plan B". However, I'm not sure if I would have anticipated anything different from her.

The negative reviews seemed to me as if people were expecting Lamott to disclose some sort of progressive "enhancement" in her approach to life. Instead, she is forthright about her daily battles to become the kind of person she desires to be. I respect her for that and for not attempting to make herself appear more spiritually stable than she actually is. She is more inclined than most people to discuss those aspects of life that most individuals keep hidden and never show to others. So, yes, she might gripe about things at times, but hey - she is open about her crappy days (we all have them) just as much as she expresses profound gratitude for those people and things that bring her joy. I couldn't ask for more than that!

I read this book during a layover at O'Hare airport.

However, it was truly disappointing on multiple fronts. A significant portion of it consists of repetitive thoughts about raising a child, and the reader never really gets to know the child beyond it being a trigger for the author's self-reflection. This might sound unjust, but that's not my intention. Each chapter contains a rather outdated and self-righteous meditation on how George Bush allegedly destroyed the world. I understand; I'm a pacifist myself. But after a while, all I could think was, "Okay, I get it. You hate Bush and believe he somehow ruined your life."

But the cultural protests soon turned into political rants. I'm sorry that the author was in a spiritually dormant state after the 2004 elections, but such musings reveal how little foresight the book has. It lost its value and relevance in 2008.

Beyond my dissatisfaction with the content, I was extremely disappointed in the writing. There are countless paragraphs with vague descriptions that leave the reader without any concrete images aside from the author's (admittedly self-aware) prejudice. The chapters lack engagement; there is very little coherent thought, and once again, the only prominent themes are raising a child that one sometimes can't stand and how Bush is the offspring of Lucifer.

Overall, this book appears to be an unfortunate instance of a talented novelist capitalizing on her literary success with a subpar collection of essays.

I truly, deeply love, LOVE Anne Lamott. Her writing has always had a special place in my heart.

However, I just couldn't help but feel constantly bogged down by her political and socially conscious / aware "rants". It seems that in almost every piece she writes, there is a significant portion dedicated to expressing her views on various political and social issues.

While I understand and respect her right to have and share these opinions, at times it feels as if they overshadow the other aspects of her work that I so adore. I wish she could find a better balance between expressing her political and social consciousness and focusing on the more universal themes and emotions that make her writing so engaging and relatable.

Nonetheless, I still have a great deal of admiration for Anne Lamott and will continue to read her work, hoping that she will find a way to integrate her political and social views in a more seamless and less overwhelming manner.

I am currently engaged in my second reading of this work, with the first instance dating back approximately 12 years ago. As a result, everything feels remarkably fresh and novel. Lamott, a truly remarkable individual, is not only witty but also deeply spiritual. She is an outstanding writer who fearlessly lays out every aspect of her life. Through her narrative, she manages to unearth the wonderful elements that exist within her life's journey. It is truly a captivating and engaging read. Each time I pick up this book, I am drawn into Lamott's world, and I find myself constantly amazed by her ability to find beauty and meaning in the simplest of things. Her writing style is both accessible and profound, making it a joy to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring and thought-provoking read.

I found this book to be more of a therapeutic journal and less of a book that pertains to faith.

Her style has always been quite distinct from other writers in her genre. However, I was disappointed to discover that this book had very little to do with 'grace'.

If the author had disclosed in the preface that she is a bad mother, struggles with relationships, and is passionate about politics, then perhaps readers would have had a better understanding of what the book was about.

I have a great deal of love and admiration for this author, which makes it difficult for me to say this. But unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.

It seems to lack the depth and substance that I have come to expect from her works.

Perhaps she was going through a difficult time when she wrote this, or maybe she was trying something new.

Whatever the reason, I hope that in the future, she will return to the form that made me fall in love with her writing in the first place.