Rating: 
Summary: Irreverantly Entertaining
Review: Overall, this book is entertaining and engaging. I echo the opinions of other reviewers in saying that Anne Lamott's honesty and transparency in her descriptions of her internal and external life are refreshing and endearing. I also understand the sentiments of some of the reviewers who found her irreverance, well, too irreverant. She is a self-proclaimed "drama queen" and lives up to that title and then some. Usually her "drama queeniness" is hilarious, because you can tell that her supposed self-centeredness comes from a constant need to prove herself (as she herself admits). She says that she has a superiority complex rooted in an inferiority complex.People who have trouble with this book are wanting to make Anne Lamott a role model instead of a story teller. We can certainly learn from the authenticity and self-awareness shown in the way she tells her stories in this book. She does not shy away from the less flashy aspects of faith--doubt, sin, suffering, etc. and that is what makes this book realistic and honest. She is not writing a story about how we should live our lives, and it is wrong to take that book in this way. But in the end it is a real and engaging story of love and relationships; between her and God, her son, friends, the church, family, and life. It is greatly entertaining, and a refreshing look into someone's life who is as open with her blemishes as with her crowns.
Rating: 
Summary: An honest and moving description of faith and grace.
Review: Anne Lamott speaks to my heart, soul, and beliefs as she talks of becoming and remaining a Christian. I began this book on a day when the hairs of my soul were rubbed backward. As I read her words, my heart was soothed as I was reminded of what truly is important. It is difficult to remain a liberal, intellectual Christian at times. Lamott reminds us, in an irreverent way that I love, that we are in this boat together. The love of Jesus and our higher calling supersede all of the grumbling here below. The chapter on forgiveness and the "perfect mother" is one that I will turn to often when the feelings that I am in competition return.
Rating: 
Summary: Honestly, a Good Book
Review: Ann Lamott puts us in a classic conundrum because of her bold-faced honesty. Do we embrace her Christianity or dismiss her vulgararity? Travelling mercies is filled with her customary wit, humility, and frenetic disorganization that quite honestly characterizes most Christians were they honest as Ann is. Her willingness to admit her failings and weaknesses is something to admire and applaud. Her transparency is recommended in every believer. What I find troubling with Ann is that she seems to revel in all of her problems. She is proud of her vulgarity and her affinity for things she knows disappoint the God she loves. I'm a firm believer in grace, but should we willingly abuse the test God's mercies? He wants us to come as we are, but not stay that way. That's why he's given us His Word to point to a better way. That's not to say any of us have arrived, because we haven't. We're all feet of clay. Believers, especially new ones, might get the false impression that sin is okay and that it's okay to stay spiritually immature. They might also get the impression that anyone who earnestly tries to honor His God is altogether pious, legalistic, arrogant, and boastful. Many Christians are, but far more are not and would people like Ann open an honest dialogue, they would discover fallen people like themselves on a journey toward Christ-likeness. Travelling Mercies is intelligent, well-written, and refreshingly to the point. I can't however, in good conscience, give it a complete thumbs up, because of some of its content. But, I do pray that God blesses the irreverant Ann Lamott.
Rating:
Summary: the kind of theology Jesus would write
Review: I was taking a break last Saturday from my own work as a writer about the Bible, and found this book on the shelf. Once in my hand, my work was done for the day and evening until the last page was turned. Anne Lamont accomplishes that most rarely done task: helping people to find God amidst the most ordinary struggles of daily life. In other words, she's the kind of "theologian" Jesus was. Each story is a parable in which the reader cannot help but ask, "was God present here? If so, what does this say about my own ways of seeking or finding the divine in daily life?" And one of the best things about the book is that she shows that you can be a "born again Christian" and actually live a Christian life, opposed to war, injustice, poverty and oppression; and in solidarity with the outcasts, the sick and the dying. Three alleluias for Anne Lamott and this glorious testimony of faith!
Rating:
Summary: Yet more chicken soup for the soul...
Review: ...and let's face it, if there's one thing we need more of, it's feelgood stuff where God is credited with performing 'miracles' that don't actually involve anyone getting healed of an incurable disease. Actually this book is quite readable and good fun. Some of it is charming. There's a surprising amount of humourous self-reflection that reminded me more of Bridget Jones's Diary than anything else, but such is the nature of trendy Christian thought, apparently. Particularly illuminating is the old joke about the guy who crash lands in the snow, complains about how God didn't rescue him, and, when reminded that he is in fact alive to tell the tale, says that it was because some Eskimo came along and saved him. We laugh because we are so used to Christian apologists using the 'mysterious ways' ploy, so we all know it was really God that sent the Eskimo, right? Lamott parrots this one without a comment. It would have been interesting to see her think about it a little; I'm disappointed that she accepts something so fatuous at face value. This is good to read on a plane or a beach. You'll enjoy it, toss it aside, and never think about it again.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Women Focused
Review: There's no question that this is a well written book about one WOMANS spiritual journey. Heavy emphasis on woman. As a man,I had a hard time relating to many of Lamotts essays. Specifically the ones about fat thighs, not being pretty, bad hair days, not looking good in a bathing suit, eating disorders, boyfriend problems, etc. I just couldn't relate. The book gets kudos from me, however, for showing that it's possible to be a liberal and a Christian. I also liked the overture section that detailed her path to Jesus. Women will love this book (as the review show), men might have a hard time relating to Lamotts life story.
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Summary: A wondrous book of warmth, humanity and laughter
Review: I loved this book! Anne LaMott's day-to-day struggles quickly became mine. I could relate to what she said, what she felt and how she met God along the way. Though I don't have a child I was able to relate to her stress about the way she struggled raising her child on her own. But she wasn't alone, was she? She had her church family to help her along the way. This book was continuing proof to me that sometimes "God wears skin". Read it, enjoy it, and pass it on!
Rating:
Summary: Another masterpiece.
Review: Each time I read another of Anne Lamott's works, I think it is my all time favorite, until I read the next one. Traveling Mercies is now my favorite. Anne Lamott is one of the most genuine and brutally honest authors I have read. I am not a religious person, and in fact much the opposite, but I loved this book. I loved the way Anne fully admits that she does not "conform" to the traditional ideology of Christianity, and yet Jesus loves her anyway. I love the writing about her son Sam, her lost friend Pammy . . . all the people who have touched her life in one way or another. All of these people make her look deeper inside herself, and also to God, for answers and solutions to problems that we all face every single day. Of course, her sense of humor also plays a part in this book, as I don't think it's possible to read Anne Lamott without reading her sense of humor. It would just be wrong! Traveling Mercies touches on the issues that we all have with feeling "not good enough" or like a failure; and how to overcome those things through the stark realizations that flash before our eyes now and then and also through humor. Truly, if I had one wish on this earth before my life runs out, I would wish to meet her and be a part of her life . . . and after reading Traveling Mercies I can see that she is even more of a loving and compassionate person than I had already assumed. Beautiful writing of a beautiful, though messy at times, life. I admire Anne for being a Christian but for also accepting others in their own faith, no matter what that faith may be. I think that, truly, this should be a required read for anyone who is a Christian . . . a lesson in acceptance because none of us are perfect and none of us will ever believe exactly the same things because we are all so shaped by our life experiences. Anne Lamott is truly beautifully amazing, and I recommend this book, and all of her others, to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Faith even an atheist can love.
Review: Anne Lamott's writings on faith are so gentle and simple, even old cynics and non-believers -- like myself -- are charmed and enlightened. If you're an atheists and think you may find yourself in a foxhole, take this book with you.
Rating:
Summary: A Gem--The Genuine Walk in Faith
Review: Anne Lamott, author of 'Bird by Bird,' 'Hard Laughter,' 'Operating Instructions' and 'Blue Shoe' has written this personal account on her journey of faith and spirituality. Her leap of faith in everyday life braves the challenge of leaping across the abyss of doubt with fear and trembling. She recalls from Micah...and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Both a divine human comedy and error of Christ-like suffering and passion with a penance for honest and wise sense of humor that has raw courage to spill it out on the page.
If you're still struggling with faith and you've tried source books after another. Then I'd recommend Ms. Lamott's 'Traveling Mercies.' Lamott tells it like it is with a been there, done that kind-of-spirit who wasn't afraid of living life but still loved God with all the passion and yearning. She shares her life with open insight and truly genuine faith in raising her son Sam, the relationships with her family, old friends, women of her church and men she dated. She tells us in a vibrant, warm and funny way in her journey of faith that sustains and guides her. Traveling through as a shining light in the darkest of life and exposing her inner well of meaning and hope. Lamott is a cross between Erma Bombeck, Cyndi Lauper and Ruth Graham. Well, sort of. If you're trying to find your walk of faith and what to understand in an honest, wise straightforwardness approach to the ups-and-downs of daily living Ms. Lamott can be your friend. My top recommendation on real faith.
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