This remarkable book entered my life precisely at the right moment, and it truly did not disappoint.

Anne Lamott's writing is an absolute delight. It is highly descriptive, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. Her honesty shines through every page, making the stories feel genuine and real. And to top it off, her sense of humor adds a light and enjoyable touch.

Hers stories are all crafted to the perfect length, not a word wasted. They generally contain some truly valuable gems about the nature of being human. It's an impossible task to pick a favorite. Instead, I discovered something beautiful and relatable in every single chapter.

In these crazy and uncertain times, I cannot recommend this sweet book highly enough. It is a comforting read that will touch your heart and leave you with a sense of warmth and understanding. Whether you're looking for a moment of escape or a source of inspiration, this book is sure to deliver.

I liked this one the best. I could have skipped all the others. Or maybe not. Maybe they were warmup for this one. A lot of the content is familiar, but I like the way she says it. Some favorites:

On page 55, Home - Minister Veronica tells the story of a little girl who gets lost. But when the policeman drives her around and she sees her church, she says: "You could let me out now. This is my church and I can always find my way home from here."

The chapter on pages 59-67 is called Knocking on Heaven's Door. I heard her read this on the radio. She tells about her church and the women in the choir and ends with "sitting with my cousins on a plane 8 miles up."

Page 89 features the Late Fragment - Raymond Carver poem.

The chapter on pages 99-105 is Why I Make Sam Go to Church.

On page 103, it says: "I always imagined when I was a kid that adults had some kind of inner toolbox, full of shiny tools: the saw of discernment, the hammer of wisdom, the sandpaper of patience. But then when I grew up I found that life handed you these rusty bent old tools--friendships, prayer, conscience, honesty--and said, Do the best you can with these, they will have to do. And mostly, against all odds, they are enough."

Page 117 has a story about an Eskimo. The chapter on pages 117-127 is Fields about Rick Fields. The chapter on pages 127-137 is Forgiveness - about the mom of Sam's school friend. On page 145, Sam Lamott, at age seven, says: "I think I already understand about life: pretty good, some problems."

And don't forget to talk about Grace Paley - go read Grace Paley.

This experience truly felt like engaging in a conversation with an extremely good and hilarious friend.

One who loves you deeply, even after witnessing the very worst aspects of you.

It was like being snugly wrapped in a warm blanket, sipping on a cup of hot tea on a rainy day.

You know that the sun is going to break through the clouds and come back out any minute now.

The comfort and security that this feeling brings is indescribable.

It makes you feel at ease, as if all the troubles in the world have momentarily disappeared.

You can just relax and enjoy the moment, knowing that everything will be okay.

This kind of connection with a friend is truly precious and something to be cherished.

It reminds you that no matter what, there is always someone out there who loves you unconditionally.

This book was truly just what I required in numerous ways.

Although I have doubts that Anne and I are actually alike, her mind and her faith bear a striking resemblance to my own.

It is extremely pleasant to read the memoirs of life and faith penned by real individuals.

These memoirs offer a unique perspective into the lives and beliefs of others, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding and perhaps even find common ground.

Anne's story, in particular, has touched me on a profound level.

Her struggles, her triumphs, and her unwavering faith have all served as an inspiration to me.

As I read her words, I feel as if I am on a journey with her, experiencing her life alongside her.

This book has not only entertained me but has also made me reflect on my own life and faith.

It has reminded me of the importance of staying true to myself and my beliefs, even in the face of adversity.

I am truly grateful to have come across this book and to have had the opportunity to learn from Anne's experiences.

It is a book that I will cherish and recommend to others for years to come.

I read this book for my book club.

I'm truly looking forward to the upcoming discussion because I'm rather uncertain about how I actually feel regarding this book.

Did I enjoy it? Well, to some extent, I did.

Will I read it again? Probably not.

Will I recommend it to my friends or family? Likely not.

There are, however, a couple of chapters or stories within the book that I found more enjoyable than the others.

The chapter titled "Aunties" will stay with me for a very long time. It has provided me with a fresh perspective on body image and the process of growing older.

The book is indeed funny and well-written, yet it really didn't have that wow factor that would have completely knocked me out.

Overall, it was an okay read, but not something that I would highly advocate for others to read.

I first read this book 20 years ago. At that time, it immediately caught my attention and held my interest from start to finish. The story was so engaging that I couldn't put it down. Now, after all these years, I decided to pick it up again. To my surprise, it was still just as captivating the second time around. The characters seemed to come alive on the pages, and the plot was just as thrilling as I remembered. It's amazing how a good book can have such a lasting impact. Reading it again brought back all the emotions and memories from when I first read it. It's like visiting an old friend. I'm so glad I decided to give it another chance.

How do you define yourself spiritually? It's an interesting question indeed.

Anne Lamott takes the reader on a guided tour of her definition. Unflinchingly honest, funny, heart-breaking, and insightful are the words that immediately come to mind when thinking about her exploration.

It was remarkably easy to identify with her. We all have messes in our lives and constantly struggle to deal with them. Moreover, her conversations with the Almighty bear a striking resemblance to a few that I have had over the years.

I often struggle with Christian literature because the preachiness of most of it makes me feel queasy. However, this particular book spoke to me on multiple levels. It made me stop and reflect deeply. And above all, it was just an extremely good read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

It's rare to find a book that combines such authenticity, humor, and profound wisdom, but Anne Lamott has managed to do just that with her exploration of spiritual identity.

This book has officially found its place on my all-time favorites list.

Anne Lamott presents her perspective on God and her relationship with Him in a manner that is both hilariously funny and, at times, deeply moving. It's so engaging that it makes me want to immediately set aside whatever I'm doing and take my daughter to church.

I firmly believe that everyone can identify with at least one of her struggles. These struggles span from alcoholism to concerns about the shape of her thighs. Her imperfections, in my eyes, make her even more endearing. I was completely engrossed in her internal battles with alcohol, drugs, and self-acceptance, among other things.

Moreover, she has a unique way of describing her less-than-ideal choices and her all-too-human qualities. This often made me stop reading and burst out laughing.

In a word, it's flat out awesome. I'm certain that I'll be re-reading it at least once a year.

Lamott’s unique writing style had a certain allure that initially pulled me into this book. It carried me along to the extent that I was determined to finish reading. However, as I delved deeper, the content began to make me increasingly uncomfortable.

In some chapters, her accounts of faith and parenting bore a striking resemblance to my own experiences. But for the most part, I could completely fathom why she would say, “My friends like to tell each other that I am not really a born-again Christian.”

It’s not merely because she leans left politically and peppers her writing with expletives (even though she is quite capable of expressing herself eloquently without them). The issue is that her faith appears to be more of an add-on to the rest of her life, rather than being the very core of her identity. She describes herself as a feminist and Christian (or rather, feminist and “religious”), not the other way around. She often speaks of seeking advice from friends who don’t share her faith more frequently than she refers to the Bible. Her views on chastity seem to be more in line with the sexual revolution than with Scripture. And although she initially came to Christ after getting drunk out of grief and guilt over an abortion, she still continues to support abortion “theoretically and politically.”

I understand that sanctification is a process and that none of us is without sin. But “Traveling Mercies” doesn’t provide as much evidence of a truly transformed life as I would anticipate from someone penning a memoir about their Christian faith. I would not recommend this book to a new Christian or someone who is contemplating becoming one.

A side note: I first picked up this book because Donald Miller’s writing had been compared to hers. His style is indeed somewhat similar, but the difference is that faith saturates his books. Even when he’s not specifically writing about Jesus, I can sense that Christ has truly made him “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I have been extremely fortunate to not only listen to Anne Lammott speak but also to have the opportunity to meet her in person. It was a memorable night in San Francisco. I had just graduated from college and was working as a representative at the box office. As I was at the Will Call station for a literary event, Lammott approached me. I excitedly told her that I had seen her speak at my school in San Diego and that her writing had been immensely inspirational to me. She graciously accepted the compliment with a cool yet friendly "Thank you. I like your glasses."

Although I haven't had any further interactions with Lamott beyond this fan to hero moment, I walked away with a strong impression. I felt that she truly is the person she presents on paper. Her creative non-fiction writing is incredibly honest and raw at times. Even if I hadn't met her in person, I would still firmly believe that her stories are nothing but real. Whether it's dealing with the complex feelings and aftermath of an angry outburst towards her son or battling addictions, Lamott tells it as it is, but always with grace. Her writing serves as a great reminder that even the smartest among us can have moments of wisdom and folly, experience both ugly and beautiful times, and at the end of the day, are all inherently fallible.

"Traveling Mercies" is an easy-to-read and real page-turner. It is a great read for anyone who has ever felt like they fell short on personal goals or perhaps just woke up one day and wondered, "How did I become this person?" It's not a traditional self-help book, but Lamott's written forgiveness of her own mistakes and honest recounting of the ups and downs of her past will make you feel like you've finally connected with someone who truly understands what it means to be human.

I'm only writing this because the book's description makes Lamott sound so boringly inspirational. However, in reality, she is a hilarious hot mess and the best spokesperson for faith I can think of.

Her unique charm and authenticity truly shine through.

My two greatest takeaways from her are as follows. Firstly, give away your magazines to strangers because they really appreciate it. It's a simple act that can bring joy to others.

Secondly, you don't have to wait to become an old crone to enjoy being one. Lamott teaches us to embrace every stage of life and find the humor and beauty within it.

She reminds us that faith doesn't have to be stuffy and serious; it can be filled with laughter and light.

Lamott's words have had a profound impact on me, and I'm grateful to have discovered her.

This is truly one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Perhaps it was because the timing was absolutely perfect. Maybe I was in a state where I felt a bit spiritually bankrupt. It could even be that the universe itself, instead of simply taking my sadness away, decided to give me a helping hand and sit with me through it all.

Whatever cosmic forces were aligned to bring this book to our book club and essentially force-feed it to me, it most definitely worked. I had read "Bird by Bird" years ago and didn't really connect with it all that much. So, I simply put Lamott's work away on a shelf. And there it patiently waited.

I loved this book for numerous reasons. Its liquidity, the way it flowed without a distinct start or stop. Its unwavering honesty. The fact that it brought me to tears and made me reflect deeply.

Thankfully, there is nothing overly remarkable or amazing in this book. There is just a woman, through her words, reminding me that we are never truly alone. It was a beautiful way to begin the new year.