Traveling Mercies

Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait
Review: At a friend's suggestion, I bought this book when it first came out in hardcover. I delved into it... but either the time was not right for me or perhaps the book is just slower in the beginning. This time, I read through it in three wonder-filled days. This woman is funny, yes, but more importantly she has an authentic, unique, more aware take on what life is all about. I found myself highlighting and underlining and starring passages to read again and again. I've already sent some samples to friends around the world. I recommend it to anyone whose reflections on life and the things that mean the most need a kick-start.

Rating:
Summary: traveling mercies grabbed and didn't let go
Review: I'm always looking for authors who can write so well that you can almost most taste the words. In this book I can taste the pain, and nuances in every passage. It is uplifting and courageous. Many of the lines sink deep in your soul and give you thought, about christianity and the spiritual journey you may be on. I plan on buying her other books.

Rating:
Summary: Rejoicing the California way
Review: I found this book enticing, with it's ability to make me walk the range of grief to gritty wit all in one chapter. Few books can I read in a matter of days, but the fondness for this new friend overtook me, and I kept whisking off to "meet" with her in secret. Lamott is a true Californian, though that's hard for me to describe in words, she did an excellent job so I don't have to. If you're looking for some flavorful, one-sided, free-associative conversation, this book is it. It will help you admit to yourself that you, too, are human, in all it's intended glory.

Rating:
Summary: A Bomb by Any Other Name
Review: If this book had been authored by anyone but Lamott it would have died in a slush pile. The examples of self-indulgence are too many to repeat; the non-existence story line that leads no-where. Her first "I'm a reformed druggy, drunk.." may have struck a chord with readers the first time round, but c'mon now, how many times can this poor, sad-sack woman milk this line. Get her to rehab--fast. The proverbial wool has been pulled too many times over the sensibilities of supposedly intelligent readers to dicipher when they're being taken. Congrats to Anne! She has a cadre of fools--continue on.

Rating:
Summary: Got a story?
Review: The first half of the book was somewhat interesting, and then it went downhill. I found nothing moving about the events upon the author. Needed to see some growth or something different by the end.

Rating:
Summary: An Unforgettable Journey
Review: This book is a true gift. I appreciate Anne LaMott's ability to present her faith journey in a down to earth (very realistic and honest), wonderfully written, and engaging way. This book is full of wisdom, humor and life.

Rating:
Summary: Traveling Mercies----Takes No Prisoners
Review: I like, no love, great writing. Writing that is as clear, concise, and brilliant as the musical phrasing of Miles Davis or with the simple complexity found in Beethoven's Ninth. Lamott's writing does for the soul what Miles did in Kind of Blue and Sketches of Spain and Beethoven did in the fourth movement of the Ninth: she lifts you higher and brings you closer to the mirror that reflects human experience---hers,yours,and mine. Run, don't walk and get this book. And find a quiet place to have your spirit experience rapture. Her writing is "all that" and more!

Rating:
Summary: The one book we all should read...
Review: ...Lamott gives us so much in these various snapshots on her journey(s) to her faith...it seems as if she was "bottoming" out and in the worst condition(s)--the drugs, the booze, bleeding from evisceration--she was able to align with her spirituality. Some may say that her use of language is kind of coarse, but lessons and thoughts like the one gained when she was in one of her Dewar's binging phase and she asked a friend what Christianity is like--the pawn shop analogy--(that one I found myself misty about) are simply priceless. We should feel grateful that Lamott is so real in these essays and testimonials. It gives quite a view of what it truly is to be a modern woman in search of her soul...and that, my friends, helps us all.

Rating:
Summary: Made me cry
Review: I don't agree with much of what Anne Lamont writes about regarding her faith (and often lack thereof) but this I found this book to be quite touching and sensitively written. I hope that she follows up with a book on her faith 10 years from now-I suspect that there will be more much maturity.

Rating:
Summary: Mallowcups For This Woman, Please
Review: I'd like to sit down with Anne and eat some Mallowcups with her. I only do that with people I respect. I enjoyed Traveling Mercies very much, and would give it to my mother, creative use of profanity and all. Speaking of mothers, the reason I gave this book four instead of five stars was the section she wrote about her mother. I winced through it, wondering what Mom Lamott thought when she read it. In this case, did Anne's honesty come with a pricey tag? Ah, who knows. I only know I want to share a Mallowcup with Anne. Great book, you of the dreadlocks.