Rating: 
Summary: A surprising disappointment
Review: Wow. I so disagree with so many of the reviews. Though well written itself, I found the book meandering and without purpose, certainly not living up to the sub-title, "some instructions on writing and life." Better writing books abound, and as for instructions on life, well, all it inspired in me were periodic eyeball rolls.Natalie Goldberg lite. And I realize the irony.
Rating: 
Summary: a witty, intelligent, inspiring book
Review: I have read many, many books about writing, but this one is absolutely the best. Anne Lamott is hysterically funny and deeply wise at the same time. The author conveys that writing is a process, at times painful, difficult, excruciating, but deeply rewarding. She also conveys her belief that publication will not make anyone happy, though many aspiring writers hold onto the illusion that it will. I recommend this book to writers and to those who associate with writers and want to understand the writing process better. It is a fun book to read and reread.
Rating:
Summary: Like hangin' with a friend...a good one.
Review: When my son told me he bought a book for me about writing I was thrilled but inside I wondered...(I have two books published and a degree in Writing Arts).
He'd been reading "Bird by Bird" for a creative writing class and not only bought the book for me, he wrote the following inside the cover, "Mom,
You are my inspiration to dream and live life with no boundaries.
I know you will love this book!" I read the book and my son was right, "I love it!"
Thank you Anne Lamott! I felt as if I was hangin' with a good friend while I was reading, "Bird by Bird" (I was born in 1953...I think we are soul sisters)...love ya!
Rating:
Summary: Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott - Great read
Review: This book is great. I recommend it for any person who enjoys any form of creativity in there life, be it painting or writing or anything else. Ann Lamott has a way of presenting the facts of life in a honest witty way. This book is honest, funny, and sad, and is a great book for life in general.
Rating: 
Summary: I think it works...
Review: ... as a book that describes the discipline of "just write" to hopeful authors. I appreciated her anecdotes, and the fact that many times her own ideas and index cards, saved for whatever work might come in the future, finally find a home in this book as examples of her own search, her own highlights, her own failures. I didn't expect a meat-and-potatoes how-to-write book, and I'm glad this one didn't go there. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to be inspired enough to write and to hopefully write well.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, irreverant, practical and hopeful
Review: I have to credit Ms. Lamott for helping me to get my novel, "Forever Retro Blues" written. Written, but not published, because as Lamott repeats quite frequently, the point of writing is not to get published, but rather to open us to life, to give us hope--and one of my all time favorite quotes is from her book "because hope gives us the ability to remain cheerful in desperate situations."
Anne Lamott is spiritual without being holier-than-thou. She recognized and acknowledges the struggles she went through and we all have to go through to get down the path of life. I have both heard her quoted and quoted her myself at my Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship. I have lent the tape (I own both the book-on-tape and trade paperback) to fellow CT Authors and Publishers Assoc. members. Anne Lamott is truly a writer's best friend. Plus, I know people who aren't even writers who have found this book valuable.
Rating:
Summary: Practical Advice
Review: I liked the way the author effectively de-glamorized writing and getting published, and made it all seem very real. Writing isn't magic; it takes a lot of work for everyone. She encourages everyone to write even if you're writing really horrible stuff. Her advice about writing is inspiring; I stopped at least twice to scribble things down while I was reading. The title, which made me curious from the very start, refers to an anecdote rehashed throughout the book. The author's little brother was distraught about writing a long report about birds and her father suggest that he take it bird by bird (or one step at a time) good advise. However, this book is not appropriate for everyone. There is a lot more swearing than I expected (I expected none, but it's sprinkled through every chapter), many references to drinking, drugs and male anatomy. While I would recommend this book as a great gift for a writing friend, I wouldn't give it to your pastor-at least not without reading it first.
Rating:
Summary: Worst book ever
Review: I was duped into buying this by all the glowing reviews. Not only is the material lousy but I became so disgusted with the author as a person I couldn't stand to read another word. She is a pitiful person and I cannot imagine anyone wanting to read a word she writes. This is a book about her sad life much more than about writing.
Rating:
Summary: Charming, Humorous, and Wise
Review: Bird by bird is an excellent book filled with wonderful advice about writing. Filled with wonderful humor and charming anecdotes along with more straightforward bits of advice, this book would make an excellent gift for any writer-types you know. I have certanly been able to apply some of Lamott's advice towards how I approach my own writing, especially with regards to first-drafts.
Rating:
Summary: a milestone book
Review: This is a great book to read as you reach crossroads in your life. Anne Lamot's recounting of her experiences makes one realize that there can be a broad spectrum of responses and choices in life and one should dare to be true to their own insights and instincts. I often recall her thought processes in my daily life as I struggle with decisions, whether trivial, humorous, or particularly significant to me. If you enjoy it as much as I did, you'll find yourself repeatedly pulling the book off your bookshelf and re-reading your favorite chapters.
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