Rating: 
Summary: Strange title, huh?
Review: Great book, though. I was assigned this book for class; I had to read it. That said, it's one of the best I've ever read. Sometimes the title of a book can be misleading or can suggest that the book's contents aren't conveniently or understandably arranged. While Lamott's book definitely reads as a novel, it can be read gradually and could even be treated as a text for a class. My teacher approached it in this way, ignoring the book's basic premise: a book to read about writing. But hey, it worked. My teacher's great, Lamott's great, and I leave inspired. And I think the same can happen for anybody if for me.
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Summary: The best Lamott ever
Review: This is my favorite Anne Lamott book. She is just so fun, so real, so laugh out loud funny. I have used the "bird by bird" story many times, with my own child in fact - hope that's ok Anne.
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Summary: No Other Writer's Book Like It
Review: Anne Lamott presents the art of writing and the life of a writer through an honest, accessible format: her stories. Anne's examples and hard-earned wisdom gently educate the reader on what it takes to write and become a writer. She unabashedly tackles the hard questions of writing life and generously offers suggestions to keep one's writing alive. Also Anne is just plain "good fun" to read. Her special brand of humor celebrates the small joys, as well as, momentous thrills that writing can bring. If you care about writing, run don't walk to purchase "Bird by Bird."
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Summary: Bird By Bird
Review: Anne Lamott will get you started writing 'word by word'. Written with great humor, it's a wonderful motivator. You just might start writing today! She helped to motivate me to write Time To Heal and it's since been published!
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Summary: More than a writing guide...
Review: More than a writing guide, this book is a life guide. All of the little anecdotes and advice on writing can also be applied to life. Upon graduating from university with an English degree, I found myself 400 miles from home at a job I dislike. Rereading "Bird by Bird" gave me perspective on my situation and also on myself. Writing and life are both difficult at times, and this book can help in the rough patches. It especially helps in the minefield of overanalysis. Read this once for the writing advice. Read it again for the wisdom.
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Summary: Irresistable affirmation
Review: All the published writers I know personally are happy and healthy. They have good domestic lives, pleasant childhood memories, and daytime careers that are just as satisfying as their prolific writing. Curses. But then there's Anne Lamott, possibly the most charmingly neurotic person I have ever "met" through a book. Bird by Bird is a story. It is a story about a particular life, and the role of writing in it. Anne shares the inspirations that have helped her struggle on, and they become our inspirations as well. Her "lessons on writing and life" do indeed apply to both. This is not a how-to manual on getting your book published. There is nothing in here about query letters and directories of agents. There is almost nothing specific about writing technique, except for the book's own style, which serves as an excellent lesson in itself. Instead, it is a book about how to live writing, or even just how to live, with writing as an inseparable part of that life. When the person who gave me the book asked how I liked it, I said, "Well, I have a crush on the author now. And I'm writing again."
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Summary: An inspiration!
Review: This book will set your imagination soaring. I have used it in writing my own children's books and would highly recommend it to anyone suffering from writer's block. Most writing books are a bit dry but this one really got my brain popping with new ideas. The author gives fantastic writing excercizes and examples. Caterina Christakos
author of How to Write a Children's Book in 30 Days or Less
Rating: 
Summary: Taking it bird by bird
Review: It's the handholding that makes this book worth owning. I have found myself flipping back through Bird by Bird to reread passages and returned to my writing fortified and soothed. This is an imperfect book, as Anne Lamotte herself is an imperfect person. The advice she gives is sound, though, and if one remembers can get past a few differences of opinion, you'll enjoy the bit of direction and companionship she offers. Lamott is an autobiographical writer and a great, big personality. Sometimes this book seems like close quarters. You may find yourself needing to put it down every 20 pages or so to get some fresh air. Readers who are put off by theological meanderings and over-sharing may find Lamotte's style so irritating that they won't be able to finish this book at all and will be better served by Barbara Ueland's book. Readers who are offended by her colloquialisms will not like this book either, but no matter. Readers who are afraid of a few little four letter words rarely become writers worth reading, and don't need to waste their time being offended by books about writers.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Annie Lamott is conversational and witty. Her book wraps you up and swallows you whole. It is an ESSENTIAL novel for any writer. Her encouragement and her sense of reality is refreshing. Totally enjoyable!
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Summary: A fantastic chronicle of the writing life
Review: This book speaks to writers at all stages, especially those struggling to find inspiration. I especially liked her chapter on perfectionism. This is one of my devilish traits--one that keeps from sitting down and writing. I enjoyed this book and would strongly suggest any one who is looking to broaden their horizons in the writing field to purchase it and put it in their library.
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