Accidentally, this is my second reading of her memoir.

However, just as it was the first time, I couldn't put it down because Annie's voice is so vivid.

She oscillates between the profane and the sacred, between being a daughter and a mother, and between different aspects of herself.

The narrative is recursive, looping back on itself as it linearly progresses through time.

For me, at least, that structure, along with her writing voice, compels me to explore many of the same issues within myself: relationships with the holy spirit, with close family, and with sacred friends.

Her humor is highly quotable. In fact, I read one in an AP student essay last year, and she wrote it in 1999: "The road to enlightenment is long and difficult, you should try not to forget snacks and magazines."

And, in a sense, this is true for the entire memoir's tone and journey. It takes the reader on a path that is both profound and lighthearted, filled with moments of self-discovery and laughter.

The memoir's unique structure and Annie's engaging voice make it a captivating read that I find myself returning to again and again.

I read this book a long time ago, but it was truly worth a new visit.

Lamott vividly describes her arduous journey of growing up in a challenging environment. In her young adulthood, she completely went off the rails, facing numerous difficulties and setbacks. As a single mother, she also endured great struggles.

However, along this long and winding path, she gradually discovers the remarkable strength within the community. With the support and help of those around her, she manages to shake off her addictions and find her own unique version of spirituality.

She is truly inspiring, and at the same time, she possesses a killer sense of humor that makes the reading experience even more enjoyable.

This is such a great, fun, and enlightening book that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. It not only tells a story of personal growth and transformation but also offers valuable insights and lessons that can touch the hearts and minds of many.

This is the fourth Lamott book I’ve read. I think perhaps it is one too many.

With each successive book, I’ve come to appreciate her technical prowess more, yet her personality has grown less appealing to me. If these were works of fiction, I might be able to overlook that aspect. However, the issue with memoirs, which these books largely are, is that the author's personality is a significant part of the source material. It simply can't be filtered out of the final product.

What initially seemed “charming” in the first Lamott book I read and “quirky human” in the second began to grate on me in the third book, “Small Victories.” It likely didn't assist matters that much of the content in “Small Victories” was originally from this book, “Traveling Mercies.” After this fourth encounter with Lamott's recycling of material, I still have an appreciation for her writing skill, but now I find the content—and because it is autobiographical, the author herself—utterly annoying.

Lamott is forthright about the details of her addiction to alcohol and drugs, which she references in nearly every story she relates. Part of what I find off-putting in this book is that she writes about her addictions with a tone that suggests someone reminiscing about something they enjoyed, romanticizing her nightly drunken binges, her Nike shoe box filled with pills obtained from her numerous liaisons with married men, and her bulimic habits. She's practically engaging in humble-bragging about what a mess she was. Regarding her religious conversion and experiences, she appears less interested. The descriptions of people and music are skillfully crafted, but they lack the nostalgia that she exudes when she describes dancing around the room alone while intoxicated or her drunk-stumbling to the convenience store for another inexpensive beer.

At one point, Lamott writes about asking a neighbor who is dying of cancer to come and take her child to school for her because she (Lamott) had a headache. She claims, “I hate being the kind of person who tries to get someone with stage-four metastatic lung cancer to feel sorry for her just because she has a headache.” Frankly, I didn't believe her. I don't think she hates it at all. From the stories she tells, it wasn't an isolated incident. If you truly “hate being the kind of person who...,” then you would cease engaging in the behavior that makes you that kind of person.

That's the sort of needy, manipulative nonsense that some (but not all) former addicts develop as an art form. They maintain a façade of “I can't help myself for being a mess” as a means to obtain the attention they crave. Often, high drama and angst become the addiction that replaces the pills, the alcohol, the sex, the laxatives, the gambling... you name it. Every little thing that occurs to them is presented as being more significant, upsetting, or personally insulting than anything that has ever happened to anyone else. Everything has to revolve around their problem, their discomfort, their needs. Those people are truly exhausting. Even when they are ostensibly doing something that benefits someone else, it often devolves into “Hey, look at me! Being helpful over here!” It just comes across as strange and narcissistic. By the conclusion of the book, I'd had my fill of all that and determined that this was someone I simply didn't want to spend any more time with.

I'm quite certain that if I had read this book first, I would never have picked up another of her books, and I'm equally certain that I won't be reading any others in the future.

It's my second time reading this book, and I have obtained different points of reference, enjoyment, and inspiration this time around.

Anne Lamott is truly the best. Her writing style is so engaging and profound that it keeps pulling me in with each page turn.

This time, as I delved deeper into the story, I noticed details and nuances that I had missed before. The characters seemed to come alive even more vividly in my mind, and their struggles and triumphs touched my heart on a whole new level.

The book offers not only entertainment but also valuable life lessons. It makes me reflect on my own experiences and view the world from different perspectives.

I am so grateful to have discovered Anne Lamott's work, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

**"Thoughts on 'Traveling Mercies'"**

"A+" for brutal honesty. I am truly a fan of brutal honesty. It makes a statement that cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the point.

"D" for accurately representing the Christian faith. But who defines it? Centuries of historical Christianity have shaped its definition. Some might argue that no one has the right to define Christianity, but if that were the case, it could mean anything and thus mean nothing. On the contrary, I firmly believe that Christianity can indeed be defined.

Just as one could claim to be an astronaut without ever having trained for or been in space, a person could say they are a Christian even if they deny the inspiration of the Bible, or that Jesus is the only way to heaven, or engage in immoral behavior like fornication.

From a literary perspective, the book has its value. However, theologically, there is much to discuss. To her credit, Ann cheerfully admits to being completely unorthodox, so I can't really start a fight there. It's just an observation.

On one hand, I would like to recommend the book to atheist friends as it shows that acknowledging God and the transcendent doesn't have to be a bad thing. Ann is not like Christopher Hitchens; she is respectful of faith and people of faith. God bless her, she even manages to befriend a Reagan lover at her school and a "Left Behind" enthusiast on a plane, despite initially hating them. Kudos to her for that. I hope she continues to explore and learn.

If you're looking for a book that introduces you to Christianity as it truly is, this isn't it. Try "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis instead - it's accessible, succinct, and true. But if you're already knowledgeable about the faith, "Traveling Mercies" may still encourage, surprise, and even frustrate you.

I got this book as a non-believer who is interested in spirituality but not religion.

What I liked best about this book is that it provides profound insights into the benefits of imperfection. It also serves as a gentle reminder not to take everything so seriously and, for God's sake, to stop trying to control everything.

However, what I did not like was the somewhat haphazard feel of the book. I think it could have been more effectively organized. Additionally, Lamott's laissez-faire and self-deprecating style starts to wear thin about halfway through.

Overall, though, I still enjoyed it. There were several passages that I liked a great deal.

For example, on page 27, where she describes her experience of reading Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling in a college class, which was an epiphany about God and faith. She writes about how Kierkegaard retold the story of Abraham, and this concept really appealed to me, although I'm not sure if I'll ever make that leap of faith.

I also loved the phrase "Nature bats last" on page 35.

On page 39, in reference to her spiraling alcoholism, she describes the feeling of despair so vividly that it really captured my attention.

The quote by Rumi on page 76, "Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure," is also very inspiring.

On page 96, regarding the limits of faith in a fellow church member, her description of the woman's struggle and her decision to leave the church was both moving and thought-provoking.

Finally, the quote on page 207, "The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe" by Joanna Macy, is a beautiful and profound statement.

Despite its flaws, this book has many wonderful passages that make it worth reading.

I am currently on my third journey through Traveling Mercies. Every aspect of this book is simply perfect.

I have a deep affection for it as it presents an honest and profoundly moving portrayal of the life of faith. It is not so much a tale of triumph as it is a beautiful narrative of a broken individual being discovered, brought back to life, and gradually pieced together.

If you are Reformed and/or Evangelical, I urge you to read this book, but first lay down your sword. This is not the arena to criticize theology or politics. She is very distinct from most evangelicals and couldn't care less. This book is not a theological or sociological polemic. It is her story. Read it and be grateful that God is at work in diverse manners within diverse people.

It offers a unique perspective that can broaden our understanding and appreciation of the ways in which God touches and transforms lives. We should approach it with an open heart and mind, ready to be inspired and challenged by her experiences.

Let us set aside our preconceived notions and biases and simply allow the story to unfold before us, trusting that God has something valuable to teach us through it.

I really, truly enjoyed these real life stories.

They were so authentic and honest, painting a vivid picture of how unfair life can be and how fallible we all are.

There were several really memorable quotes and gems hidden within the text.

It was as if the author was sharing precious secrets with us, one by one.

I was completely captivated from start to finish and found myself reflecting on the stories long after I had finished reading.

This author has a unique talent for bringing these real life experiences to life and making them relatable to readers.

I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future.

I can't wait to see what other stories and insights they have to share with the world.

I will never cease to be in love with Anne Lamott's voice and the manner in which she discusses life and faith.

Her words have a unique charm that captivates me completely. She has this remarkable ability to take all those aspects of myself that I am not proud of, hold them gently in her hand, and then say, "And yet, there is love."

It's as if she is giving me permission to embrace my imperfections and still believe in the power of love. Her writing is like a warm embrace on a cold day, comforting and reassuring.

Whenever I read her works, I feel a sense of peace and acceptance wash over me. Anne Lamott's voice is truly a gift, and I am grateful to have discovered it.

It has changed the way I look at life and has taught me that even in the midst of our flaws and mistakes, there is always room for love.

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott (Anchor Books 1999) is a biography that I decided to read after being deeply touched by the author's writing in Operating Instructions. The phrase "Traveling Mercies" holds a very special resonance within my family, so I really, really wanted to love this book. However, after reading it, I was left with a rather different impression. I was reminded that just because a person has good parenting instincts, it does not necessarily qualify him or her to give advice on religion or faith. The book seemed to lack the depth and coherence that I was hoping for. My overall rating for this book is 2/10, and I finished reading it on 2/19/14.

These are the last three sentences of the book, "Traveling Mercies" by Anne Lamott.

And they sum up this collection of stories beautifully. This is a book about faith and a book about gratitude. It is intelligent, thought provoking, funny and highly readable.

Anne Lemott, Annie--as it appears her friends call her--lets us into her world and shares a very personal and poignant path of a unique and awkward girl taking off her "glasses of puberty" and coming of age. She lays everything bare, from her feelings about her bushy hair and alien eyes, her drug and alcohol additions, to her love for her father and dealing not only with his death, but also with the death of her best friend.

We enter the world of a single mother, a struggling and ultimately successful writer, and all her feelings of self-doubt. She seems to have a third eye when it comes to seeing those around her, and through her observations and writing, we too can appreciate people and situations to a greater degree.

Writes Lamott of a sick woman from her church in a story named Ashes: "It must have been too annoying for everyone to be trying to manipulate her into being a better sport than she was capable of being. I always thought that was heroic of her, that it spoke of such integrity to refuse to pretend that you're doing well just to help other people deal with the fact that sometimes we face an impossible loss."

The underlying theme throughout each brutally honest passage is the message of her faith in God and how she came to discover this faith. She LEARNS to pray and uses prayer to get her over the large and the small humps. One can't help but come to love this child of God, and everyone in her life.

This book is not just a collection of stories; it's a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Lamott's writing style is engaging and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her and her experiences. Whether you're religious or not, "Traveling Mercies" has something to offer. It will make you laugh, cry, and think about your own life and beliefs. It's a book that you'll want to read again and again, and one that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Traveling Mercies is a remarkable work that delves into one woman's extraordinary ability to discover faith in the most unexpected moments and places.

Lamott, right from the start of the book, offers the reader numerous hints that she is far from being a religious authority. Instead, she is just an ordinary middle-aged, single mother who is grappling with her own life and trying to make sense of it all.

In the Overture section of the book, Lamott deftly sets the reader's expectations through her unique tone and use of dark humor. This allows her to present an unvarnished and honest portrayal of herself.

It's important to note that readers who are seeking a solemn and profound theological guide will likely have little patience for both Anne Lamott and Traveling Mercies. However, for those readers who are looking for a light-hearted and humorous approach to reflecting on their own feelings about faith, this book will无疑 be a source of great delight and inspiration.

Overall, Traveling Mercies offers a refreshing and engaging perspective on the search for faith in the midst of life's chaos and uncertainties.