I found this book to be not about grace at all. Instead, it seems that the author is simply telling her story with the intention of helping herself.

If you don't concur with her political or social views, which strike me as rather narrow-minded for a supposed liberal, she appears to have very little grace. For instance, she implies that George Bush is single-handedly responsible for the failed economy and the potential closing of the Salinas, CA public libraries.

I highly doubt that the poorest town in California's economic collapse occurred solely during the Bush era. This book seems to be almost part political manifesto and part monologue on the martyrdom of raising a child and recovering from addictive behaviors.

She acts as if she is the only person to have ever raised an insolent teenager or suffered the loss of a friend. The narrative just transitions abruptly from one story to another topic, making its composition rather strange.

This is the first Lamott book I've read, and it would truly take a glowing recommendation for me to pick up another one.

The last five years or so, perhaps, I have made it a point to commence the year with a book by Anne Lamott. Maybe it has become similar to reading holiday stories during the holidays, something that hopefully reminds me, and us, of what is significant aside from the list of people to purchase gifts for. Anne Lamott's words serve as a reminder of what truly matters beyond all the commotion of the daily ins and outs of life, such as traffic jams, last-minute dashes to the grocery store, or even walking the dog. In my case, it's dogs. This year, perhaps more than in others, I was truly eager to find a way to make sense of certain things that truly baffle my mind.

As I read through this, which has not been uncommon lately, politics were constantly on my mind. If you have read Anne Lamott's books or even other reviews of almost any of her works, you will likely find at least one review where someone complains about her political leanings. More precisely, her dislike of George W. Bush. So, throughout much of this, I was thinking both about how reviews for this must include some comments to the effect of how someone wishes she would stop talking about GWB and all I could think was how I imagined Anne Lamott must be in a frenzy over the latest officeholder.

So, yes, she does mention politics, ecology, the things one would expect from her, how she attempts, and sometimes fails, to integrate her faith into her daily life, and her son. The rebellious teenage years that can be so exhausting. It has been ten years since she wrote Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith. She is older now, and she discusses the toll that age takes on her body, the burden of being a parent, and the indignation of receiving a ticket for her dog being off-leash. Some of it is just ranting, as if she has called you in a moment when she feels as if her world is falling apart, but needs to get this off her chest so she can examine why she feels this way.

I seem to hold onto my hates because they help take my mind off the cracked reflection in the mirror.

It is that willingness to be so unfiltered and genuine, yet still charming in her less-than-perfect behavior, that keeps me reading her books every year. To share these stories, these feelings with the world, and to transform them into something on the page that is sometimes amusing, but always true, honest, and beautiful.

I am truly looking forward to her soon-to-be-published Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, which is scheduled to be released in a few months.

Anne Lamott should edit out her vitriol toward GW Bush and Cheney when she writes a purported book on faith.

This kind of expression alienated me, and I'm not even among their fans.

Regarding the portion of the book that was about faith, I was amused and moved by some of her anecdotes.

For example, the weekend she freaked out in jealousy over the new financial success of a happily married couple she was friends with.

Also, the many small miracles that occurred the afternoon she agreed to assist in teaching a dance class for mentally disabled adults.

However, others seemed far too navel-gazing.

I know that's her forte: the personal, the local, the immediate.

But I just wasn't feeling - or wasn't prepared to buy - the terror she felt when she briefly lost sight of her dog on a trail near her house.

Or the transcendent relief she experienced when the ski patrol rescued her from a self-induced fall out of the ski lift.

Don't get me wrong: Lamott's an excellent, loose writer, and I laughed out loud at the ski lift story.

But it just fell short in the "life lessons" category.

I was not aware that this would be the way I was introduced to the writing of Anne Lamott.

I have numerous friends who simply adore her books, her writing style, her honesty, and her faith. There were moments when I couldn't help but laugh out loud while reading about her attempts at skiing, her experiences as a mother with Sam, and her dog getting lost, as well as her mishaps and successes.

However, the rant about abortion really put me off to a great extent. And I believe the central conflict in the author's life was her intense hatred of George W. Bush as the president. I'm not a huge fan of Bush either, but I don't think this country was in such a糟糕 state during his tenure that the entire fabric of life has come crashing down as a result of his leadership.

I grew tired of the continuous rants about the former president. There were indeed some aspects here that I liked, but I'm not certain if, in the long run, it was truly worth reading the entire memoir. Maybe I'll give one of her other works a try. I guess only time will tell.

I am truly sad to award this book just two stars. 'Bird by Bird' is indeed one of my all-time favorite books, and thus I entered into this one with extremely high hopes. I must mention that I listened to the audio version, which perhaps might have colored my experience of the book. You see, I found Anne's voice rather tiresome to listen to. Every single sentence concludes with the precise same downward intonation in her voice, which makes her sound even more despondent than the content of her stories would already suggest.

Putting that complaint aside, I simply found it arduous to latch onto much substance within this rather haphazard compilation of personal anecdotes. Besides the themes of self-loathing, addictive or self-destructive behaviors, and the constant bashing of George W. Bush and other Republicans, there wasn't really much of a coherent thread to hold everything together. I myself am a rather liberal gal, but Anne sort of lost me a bit early on when she made that comparison between Dick Cheney and Saddam Hussein. Come on now. Let's be realistic.

It's a pity really, because I had such high expectations, but unfortunately, this book just didn't quite measure up for me.

I love Anne Lamott. 'Nuff said.

Anne Lamott is an incredibly talented and inspiring writer. Her words have the power to touch the hearts and souls of readers.

Her writing is honest, raw, and filled with humor. She has a unique way of expressing complex emotions and ideas in a way that is accessible and relatable.

Whether she is writing about her own life experiences, her faith, or social issues, Anne Lamott always manages to bring a fresh perspective and a deep understanding.

Her books have been a source of comfort and inspiration for me, and I am sure that they have had the same effect on countless others.

In conclusion, I love Anne Lamott and her writing, and I highly recommend her books to anyone looking for a good read that will make them think, laugh, and cry.

All of Anne Lamott's essays are truly excellent.

Her writing style is so engaging and her insights are so profound that I find myself completely captivated whenever I pick up one of her works.

It's as if she has a unique ability to see the world in a way that most of us don't, and then share those perspectives with us in the most beautiful and relatable way.

I could easily read her essays every day, but the only problem is that she needs to write faster!

I'm always eager to get my hands on her latest work and see what new wisdom she has to offer.

Anne Lamott is truly a master of the essay form, and I feel so fortunate to have discovered her writing.

Her words have the power to inspire, comfort, and challenge me, and I know that I will continue to be a devoted reader of hers for many years to come.

I listened to the audiobook.

It was truly an engaging experience. The author behind it was extremely entertaining.

His or her words had the power to transport me to different worlds and make me feel a whole range of emotions.

The story was filled with excitement, mystery, and heartwarming moments.

As I listened, I found myself completely immersed in the narrative, eagerly awaiting each new chapter.

The author's unique writing style and vivid descriptions brought the characters and settings to life in my mind.

It was as if I was right there, experiencing everything along with them.

I couldn't help but be impressed by the author's talent and ability to create such a captivating audiobook.

It made my listening time not only enjoyable but also a source of inspiration.

I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for a great story and an entertaining author.

One of the phrases that gets repeated often in a Mormon Sunday School class is "how can we apply this in our daily lives?"

I firmly believe that Anne Lamott's writing provides an answer to that question.

This book is precisely what it claims to be - thoughts on faith. Anne Lamott lays open her chaotic life for the reader, and we witness how she navigates through the mire with the occasional assistance from the divine. This book doesn't necessarily possess a unified message; rather, it is a compilation of essays loosely connected by the recurring themes in Anne's life: recovery from alcoholism and addiction, motherhood (encompassing her relationship with her son and her mother), radical self-care, and behaving in uncharitable ways and seeking Jesus' help to improve.

Many of these essays had been previously published elsewhere, which is why much of it sounded somewhat familiar. However, Anne herself acknowledges that she is constantly relearning the same lessons, over and over again. So, if it seems repetitive, it's because Anne shows us that when it comes to learning how to be better, humans are exceptionally slow. And yet, God persists in trying to teach us anyway. How miraculous that is.

My second encounter with Anne Lamott's book was truly a delight.

The prose was not only eloquent but also had a certain comfort to it. It was filled with real and relatable stories that had the power to evoke a wide range of important emotions within me.

As I delved deeper into the pages, I found myself completely immersed in the narrative. I just really enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover.

It's the kind of book that makes you want to find a cozy spot in front of a warm fire, curl up with it for hours on end, and let the words transport you to another world.

Anne Lamott has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, and I can't wait to explore more of her works.

I have an unwavering love for Anne Lamott. Her words have a magical charm that captivates me completely. I am so entranced by her writing that I am willing to devour anything and everything she pen down.

Her works are like precious gems that offer profound insights, humor, and a touch of vulnerability. Every time I pick up one of her books, it's like embarking on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

Moreover, I often find myself daydreaming about what it would be like if she was my friend. I imagine the wonderful conversations we could have, sharing our thoughts, dreams, and fears.

To have her as a friend would be an absolute privilege. I could learn so much from her and be inspired by her every word.

Alas, for now, I can only content myself with reading her books and imagining what could be. But who knows, maybe one day our paths will cross, and my wish will come true.

Until then, I will continue to cherish her writing and hold onto the hope that one day, she will be more than just an author to me. She will be my friend. :)

She is truly a remarkable individual, so perfectly flawed in the most endearing way.

She stumbles and bumbles through life, making whopping big mistakes that would send many others into a tailspin. But here's the thing, she doesn't just wallow in her errors. Instead, she has the courage and the wisdom to learn from and through those very mistakes.

And what's even more wonderful is that she has the beauty and grace to take those hard-earned lessons and turn them into little essays. Through her writing, she invites the rest of us to be human with her, to share in her experiences, and to grow along with her.

It's this authenticity and vulnerability that make her so special. Her stories are a reminder that we all make mistakes, but it's how we respond to them that defines us. She shows us that it's possible to find beauty and meaning in our imperfections, and that we can all learn and grow from our experiences.

Good stuff indeed.