I discovered a new author! Well, new to me that is. I have an absolute passion for libraries. I simply adore books! (Can you see the connection?) I especially love libraries that always have a great selection of books for sale. Where I reside, there are 5 public libraries within a mere 2 miles of my home! (It's like heaven!) One of them, in particular, always has a wonderful assortment of books available for purchase, and quite often I make new "friends" there. Anne Lamott is one such friend. I had only read a page or two of this book when I found myself laughing out loud!

(I should mention that I am waiting for my son who is commencing his OGT testing today. I'm waiting in a very quiet hall with other parents - who are also waiting - in a conference center situated on a college campus.)

Outbursts are not looked upon favorably....

Personally, I don't think we could be more dissimilar. Anne is from California, an adventurous, politically-left socialite who is the daughter of a writer herself. I, on the other hand, am a pastor's wife who grew up in the buckle of the Bible-belt, cautious, with a liberal-conservative mindset....and who has always loved to read! Ahhh.... a connection! That and the one that screams "kindred spirit"....she loves Jesus!

Her writing is refreshing, insightful, and truly REAL! I can't wait to dive back into these pages, and I'm constantly on the lookout for more of her works!

I have a great appreciation for Lamott.

Her writing is filled with a wry sense of humour that never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Her theology, although hesitant at times, is thought-provoking and shows her deep exploration of faith.

Moreover, her descriptions of the world around her are simply beautiful, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

Even though our theologies may not be the same, I am impressed by her gentle approach to her own beliefs and her openness and love for the world.

We do, however, share a cynical and jaded background, and we are both on the same journey of learning to love and forgive ourselves.

This common ground makes her work a fun and interesting read, as I can relate to her experiences and emotions on a deep level.

Overall, Lamott's writing is a joy to read and has taught me a great deal about life, love, and faith.

This is a book of essays on grace, and within its pages, there are indeed some good stories.

However, when I listened to it on CD, I found the author's voice truly irritating. Additionally, I was constantly struck by the fact that I was uncovering very little grace within its content.

I adored "Bird by Bird" because I believed the author revealed some of the vulnerability and humanity that writers commonly share. She didn't pen her words like a literary deity but rather like someone familiar. And she writes in a similar vein in this book as well.

Nevertheless, for me, I repeatedly arrived at the conclusion that despite the numerous things the author and I have in common, such as a fundamental commonality of spirituality/values, gender, and the work we do, we wouldn't be friends in real life. She wouldn't value my perspective, and from all the signs, wouldn't be at all patient with our differences. While I could initially be more accepting of our disparities, I'd ultimately become irate that the courtesy wasn't returned.

This is a strange message to receive from a book like this, and that's why I didn't hold it in higher regard. It likely wouldn't pose an issue for the majority of readers, so don't let it necessarily deter you from the book.

I truly have a deep affection for the raw and unfiltered honesty that the author showcases regarding her faith.

It is refreshing to encounter such authenticity in a world where many often shy away from expressing their beliefs with such candor.

The author's willingness to lay bare her innermost thoughts and feelings about her faith journey is both inspiring and thought-provoking.

It allows the reader to gain a unique perspective and perhaps even encourages them to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences.

This kind of honesty has the power to create a connection between the author and the reader, transcending the boundaries of words on a page.

It invites us into the author's world and makes us feel as if we are walking beside her on her path of faith.

In a society that sometimes values conformity and polish, the author's raw honesty is like a breath of fresh air, reminding us of the importance of being true to ourselves and our beliefs.

A collection of biographical essays awaits, filled with a delightful mix of humor. These essays are only loosely connected, yet they share common themes of grace, understanding, and redemption. What makes them truly special is their ability to be useful during the grieving process. Their lightness and humor provide a much-needed respite, while also offering valuable insights into the various aspects of the human condition. We encounter themes such as fear, loss, foolishness, and grief, all explored with a deft touch. Additionally, there are a couple of essays within this collection that beautifully celebrate libraries and librarians. For those of us who hold a special place in our hearts for these institutions and the people who run them, this is an added bonus. It's a collection that offers something for everyone, whether you're seeking comfort, entertainment, or a deeper understanding of the human experience.

I keep turning to Anne LaMott's works to convince myself that my profound and somewhat shadowy atheist spirit can engage with writings about religion without the urge to hurl something across the room. Her collection is rather a mishmash of essays, filled with the humility and confession that we have come to anticipate. However, it doesn't exactly possess a cohesive nature or anything of the sort. Instead, it gives off a sense of being slapped together. But you know what? After delving into the accounts of her years of struggle, I say, go ahead, Anne. Earn as much money as you can or desire.

It's interesting to see how her experiences are presented in these essays. While they may lack a seamless flow, they still manage to offer valuable insights. Maybe it's the rawness and authenticity that draw me in. Despite my atheism, I can appreciate the human side of her journey and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Overall, Anne LaMott's writing, though not perfect in terms of structure, has a certain charm that keeps me coming back for more. It makes me question my own beliefs and perspectives, which is always a good thing. So, even if it has a bit of a slapped together feel, I'm still willing to give it a chance and see what else I can discover.

Would recommend: No

I chose this book as I discovered Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith to be captivating and thought-provoking.

However, this book was overly and provocatively political. The meandering style began to irritate me after a while. Instead of \\"Thoughts on Faith,\\" a more appropriate subtitle could be, \\"Random Stories Loosely Associated with Somewhat Spiritual Ideas, but Mostly Why I Dislike the Bush Administration.\\"

Now, I'm not a huge fan of Bush, but come on. That's not what I expected. I managed to get through approximately 3/4 of the book before the intense political rhetoric finally pushed me over the limit. I then pressed the button on my car's stereo to switch from the CD to the Top 40 radio. Harrumph.

It's a shame really, as the initial promise of the book was great. But the excessive political content overshadowed the spiritual aspect that I was hoping to explore. Maybe if the author had toned down the political rants and focused more on the faith-based themes, it would have been a more enjoyable read. As it stands, I can't recommend this book to others who are looking for a more balanced and spiritual exploration.

I have a vivid memory of reading Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies several years ago, and it left a lasting impression on me. Inevitably, when I picked up this new book, I couldn't help but make comparisons. Sadly, I didn't find this one to be as remarkable.

Anne's writing skills are still commendable. She employs simple and engaging prose, painting vivid pictures with her words. Many of her stories effectively illustrate themes of grace and trust in God. However, there isn't much in this book that will truly stick in your mind. Perhaps the most significant issue is her almost constant references to Bush in the latter half of the book. Blaming the Bush presidency for all the darkness in her life and predicting that we'll all end up living in caves because of our leaders seems rather over-the-top. Writing in such a way, as if her entire world was a dismal and horrifying place for eight years, feels unconvincing when we consider the many real problems in the world that are not the fault of the former president.

What I value most about reading Anne's books is her honesty. I enjoy delving into the life stories of a Christian who has a profound relationship with Jesus but is also very different from me. The chapters where she discusses assisted suicide and abortion will无疑shock many evangelical Christians (they did for me too). Overall, though, that's not the main reason I wasn't a huge fan of this book. It simply failed to move me with its stories and impart profound lessons.

Ehhhh... Traveling Mercies is much, much better.

To be honest, the only thing that really stood out to me from this particular piece was that Anne Lamott seems to have an abundance of time on her hands. She spends a great deal of that time ruminating on the vast amounts of existential angst she experiences.

Moreover, it's quite evident that she has strong negative feelings towards George Bush and Dick Cheney. She goes on and on about how much she hates them.

However, I can't help but wonder if all this focus on her personal angst and political opinions detracts from the overall message or value of the work. Maybe there are other aspects that I'm missing, but from what I've read so far, it seems a bit one-sided.

I'll have to give it more thought and perhaps read some more of her work to form a more comprehensive opinion.

Annie, we truly need to have a conversation.

First and foremost, the fact that you keep repeating the same stories and quips over and over again is rather concerning. It's as if you're a demented party guest who just can't stop going on about the same old things. Remember that hilarious anecdote about Jesus drinking gin straight out of the cat dish? That was pure gold! But please, let's not bring up the whole "Jesus as a 13-year-old punk" thing again. It was funny the first time in Plan B, but when you repeated it verbatim in the very next book, it made me physically cringe.

Also, while nature is indeed lovely and healing, I have to admit that I got a bit bored after the third time you described a cleansing hike in this book. And it only got worse when you continued to go into such minute and stultifying detail about those walks for the remainder of the essays. Have you forgotten how to find God in the city? Or perhaps you've simply lost the ability to write on more than one theme? I'm not sure - maybe I'm just not that outdoorsy.

I'm asking all of this out of love, because I know you can do so much better. This is clearly evident in the final section of the book, where you write so beautifully and compellingly about Sam as a teenager. \\"Samwheel,\\" in particular, is heart-wrenching in all the right ways. To my surprise, I even found myself enjoying the parts about your relationship with your mom, which could have easily gone the way of the aforementioned nature hikes. But it turns out that describing the ebb and flow of grace in everyday relationships is still your strongest suit, whether those relationships are with the physical world and its institutions, the life of the spirit, or with those around you. The way you talk about people and their quirks is as astonishing as ever, and I mean that in the most positive sense.

I'll be eagerly awaiting your next book, Annie. For all of our sakes, I'm really hoping it's a novel.

Kate

This is not my favorite work by Lamott. The audio quality of this piece was rather poor, which unfortunately affected the overall listening experience. Some of the stories she shared seemed overly whiny, as if she was constantly complaining about various aspects of life. However, to be fair, there were also some stories that were so hilarious that they made me laugh until I almost cried. It was a bit of a mixed bag, really. On one hand, the subpar audio and the whiny parts detracted from the enjoyment. But on the other hand, those few really funny stories managed to redeem the work to some extent. Overall, while it wasn't a complete disappointment, it also wasn't the outstanding piece that I had hoped for from Lamott.

I found myself vacillating between giving this book a three-star or a four-star rating.

There were certain parts that seemed to drag on for me, making it a bit of a struggle to get through. However, just when I thought I might be losing interest, I would come across a line that simply exploded off the page.

These lines were filled with expressions of lived faith and hope, and they had a profound impact on me.

I could deeply resonate with the kind of imperfect resolute hope that the author described. It was the kind of hope that abides and blossoms in the middle of the mundane, madness, and minutiae of everyday living.

It was a reminder that even in the midst of our ordinary lives, there is always room for hope and for something beautiful to emerge.

Despite the slow parts, those powerful lines and the overall message of the book made it a worthwhile read for me.

In the end, I think I'll lean towards giving it a four-star rating, because those moments of inspiration and connection were truly memorable.