Rating: 
Summary: Most inspirational book on the subject of writing
Review: Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird is the most inspiring book I have ever read on the subject of writing. It is both zen (look at the title alone) and hilarious. I found myself in her throughout the book. As an unpublished writer myself, I feel validated for the work I have done and inspired to continue. I would love to have lunch with Anne Lamott. Mik Hamilton, AUNTIEMAYA@aol.com, Danville, Ca
Rating:
Summary: Writing the Great American Novel? Read this Book First!
Review: After Operating Instructions but before Crooked Little Heart, Lamott captures in Bird by Bird,the way it feels to "have arrived" without finding the anticipated "my life is now complete" realization. The context of the narrative in Bird by Bird is the writer's life, and Lamott writes in a manner so easy/enjoyable to read that one would be hard put to dispute her being the writer she aims to be. The subtext, if you wanted to overanalyze this book, is that the journey, here becoming a writer, is as, maybe more important, than the destination/goal: publication. Her easy to understand/less easy to practice Nike-like advice amounts to: Just Write It. Her advice stuck with me, although its been almost a year since I read her book and am now finally attempting to write something (this review) for ?publication...well Amazon's Customer Comment page is sort of/almost like publication. Anyway, Bird by Bird is a wonderful wonderful book-- which incidentally proves to be and an exceptional procrastination device especially if read before writing the Great American Novel.
Rating:
Summary: Insight into the minds of writers
Review: I love books and I like to write. And, I agree with the author, writing is hard work (the mouse pad callous on the bottom left corner of my palm is living proof of that). But there are rewards to writing much more important than anything a publisher can bestow. Which is why so many people continue to take pride in their
writing, and take even mundane tasks (like writing letters to friends) very seriously. Anne Lamott describes writing as an act (forgive me) of love. The book
is a pleasure to read, you'll end up liking the author long before you finish the book, even if you don't agree with anything she sais.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific book for writers-in-the-making
Review: I have read (or attempted to read) many books on writing, and the fact that I not only was able to read this book cover to cover but also enjoyed it is a testament to Anne Lamott's terrific ability to relate the process of writing in a witty and truthful manner. Lamott uses her experiences as
a writer, a teacher of writing, a mother and a human being to illustrate the various aspects of writing. Not only does Lamott cover the turf we're used to seeing in books on writing (characters, plot, writer's block, etc.) but she also talks about tangential topics also important to the writer, like why being published isn't necessarily the greatest thing in the universe.
This book reminds me more of a very long, humorous
essay rather than an instruction manual. A nice change of pace from the usual "How-to," guides.
Rating:
Summary: Every Meet Someone As Crazy As Yourself?
Review: Reading Anne Lamott is like sitting down with a close friend who
shares all of your idiosyncracies and insanities, as well as your
warped sense of humor. Bird by Bird gives Lamott's view of the
writing life and confronts all of the little details and major crises
faced by anyone who's ever wanted to write. Filled with warm and
witty anecdotes from her own writing career and from the classes
she teaches, Lamott takes you gently by the hand and then
proceeds to push, pull, or drag you to the pencil or the keyboard
because you suddenly feel that you have to write something, right
now! This is a book to keep next to the bed or the computer, or
wherever else you're likely to be when you need a nudge to keep
going and a major dose of inspiration. Read this book with a
highlighter grasped tightly in your sweaty palm, because you're going
to want to come back to certain lines over and over again. Highly
recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Ever Meet Someone As Crazy As Yourself?
Review: Reading Anne Lamott is like sitting down with a close friend who shares all of your idiosyncracies and insanities, as well as your warped sense of humor. Bird by Bird gives Lamott's view of the writing life and confronts all of the little details and major crises faced by anyone who's ever wanted to write. Filled with warm and witty anecdotes from her own writing career and from the classes she teaches, Lamott takes you gently by the hand and then proceeds to push, pull, or drag you to the pencil or the keyboard because you suddenly feel that you have to write something, right now! This is a book to keep next to the bed or the computer, or wherever else you're likely to be when you need a nudge to keep going and a major dose of inspiration. Read this book with a highlighter grasped tightly in your sweaty palm, because you're going to want to come back to certain lines over and over again. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, a book that lives up its rave comments!
Review: Elsewhere on this page you will find all kinds of accolades about Anne Lamott,s "Bird by Bird." Trust them. I find the readers' comments could have just as well been my own. Why? Because Lamott knows how to find the common thread of humanity that binds us all. Yes, you DO begin to think of this book, and its author, as a "trusted friend," and you DO end up going back to it in times of elation as well as grief. For the past several years, colleagues, parents and friends have been trying to get me to write more about my personal experiences. After this book, I'm doing it -- not to get published -- but to live a fuller life. Nice little return on the few bucks spent, eh
Rating:
Summary: Anne Lamott nails the writer's life
Review: What's not to like about a book on writing that has a chapter entitled "Shitty First Drafts"? That's the truth about writing, but it's also permission to just -write-, then criticize, as opposed to the (unproductive) other way round.
I was lucky enough to attend a talk by Lamott four years ago. She was writing Bird By Bird then and described it as the sequel to Operating Instructions.
For anyone who thinks sequel=rehash, think again. It's really more like: Anne exposed parenting, now she'll expose writers.
In the same way Anne admitted what every parent has felt, both positive and negative about their kids, she delves into the process of writing: the jealousy, agony, stupor, elation, and defending stuff that's awful but that one has fallen madly in love with.
It's laugh-out-loud, laugh-until-you-cry funny, sometimes when it's also the most painful.
Terrific for writers at all stages, and probably would be helpful for friends and partners of writers, too.
Rating:
Summary: Could it get any better??
Review: I read this book two years ago while vacationing in Costa Rica. I missed a lot of the country-side reading her poetic words. It really helped me unwind at night as refreshing as it was. I WAS an aspiring writer majoring in journalism, but even if I didn't further my carrer in writing I still often read bits and pieces of her book for the wonderful insight that she produces just by reading her words
Rating:
Summary: Read Anne Lamott. Now.
Review: This, like "Operating Instructions" and "Rosie" is a wonderful book by the amazing, funny, incredible A. Lamott. No writer I've read so thoroughly exposes herself with every word she writes--and, she does it with so much humor and grace that you feel you've known her for ever.
Even if you aren't looking for a "writing instruction" book, you'll find this great book is a good how-to for Life too.
When I give friends a copy of Lamott's "Operating Instructions" it invariably becomes the most cherished gift they've recieved. "Bird by Bird" is the same.
|
