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Rating: 
Summary: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Review: I know that I'm just an ant among billions of other ants, rarely stopping to reflect on the mystery of life and this faith inside us that somehow guides us and holds us close, but I need to stop NOW and express my thanks to Anne and Sam Lamott, to V. Goines and the St. Andrews congregation and, especially, to that Great Nameless Power behind everything that allowed this book to be born. While having my heart stirred by a book is not all that rare (I'm one of those sentimental fool types), this one stands out on it's own. Way out. Far out. It's art without artifice. Well, anyhow, the seams are invisible. It is deeply honest and shines with genuine wisdom that the author would undoubtedly deny of herself. Those of us reviewing this with glowing hearts probably seem like scarey shiney people to Anne Lamott (who, thinking we know the inside of her head as perhaps we may a tiny bit, has to be reading our comments after all). But, hey, this very personal book does leave hearts glowing. So, please excuse us for sounding like we want to put you on an altar and worship your toes. It's a genuine reaction... Love escaping from opened hearts can look gosh darn silly doncha know. Please read this book folks - it's a beautiful sandcastle on the beach surrounded by life's horrors. To Anne Lamott, thanks for the terrific Merwin poem in front and thanks for surviving the fires that melded such a great artist. To others who read this review, 3 other books that touched my religious sensibilities in meaningful ways were: "Quarantine" by Jim Crace, "Tao Te Ching" by Lao Tzu, and "The Essential Rumi" by Coleman Barks. Oh lordy, I may just have to find a way to write this author a personal letter. Then again, I bet she's deluged and she does need space to write. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
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Summary: The Spirit of Christianity Alive and Well
Review: Reading Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies can shock a Christian at first. The irreverence is astounding! But then, driven along by the need to learn what events got Anne to this point in her life--bestselling author, devoted mother--it is hard not to appreciate the stark honesty shown here. Annie is amazing. She must have been aware of the kind of criticism she would face, yet she didn't let that censor her. Folks, the things that happened to Annie on her way to faith happen to many people in the real world. God did happen to have a special plan for her, as He does for all of us, but her road just had a few extra twists in it. Don't criticize her for admitting it. Instead, enjoy her fabulous humor in recounting these very serious problems. Enjoy her power of description. Enjoy seeing her transformed gradually into a Christian--Oh, the C word! Anything but trite, Annie gives us a genuine perspective on faith missing in much of Christian literature today. I've seen them--I work in a book store--pithy volumes of sage advice and empty platitudes. You always get the feeling that those authors have no idea what life is like without God in their lives. Say what you will about Annie, but she knows what that is like, and she is able to impart that knowledge to her readers in her own honest, uproarious way. I've bought this book for a friend, my mother, and my sister. Give a copy to someone you love. And God bless you, Annie.
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Summary: Hooked
Review: This is the book that got me hooked on Anne Lamott. Most poignant and precious are the insights about life as a recovering alcoholic. Raw facts about motherhood were astounding, too. Her word choice at times caused my gut to spasm, but I survived and went on to read all of the book she had previously written. To my delight and the benefit of mankind, Lamott's newest book, Blue Shoe, avoids profanity.
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