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.
Rating: 
Summary: Useful for some
Review: Bird by Bird is probably useful for most would-be writers, but must be taken with a grain of salt.Bird by Bird starts with the handicap that all how-to-write books are burdened with, and that is the fact that you can't teach someone who can't write to write. In other words, if it doesn't come naturally, if you don't have a special aptitude, then you cannot realistically hope to ever be anything more than merely competent. Having said that, anyone who has read more than one of the latest bestsellers will know that one needn't be great by any means to be published, or even to be published and wildly successful. The lowest common denominator holds the cards here, and they don't care about literature, they just want to have fun. An alternative to television, and that's all. Not one to read such titles, I read Bird by Bird because it was foisted upon me by a friend. Although I found little that was helpful to me, for people who have never had a creative writing course in school or who haven't read books similar to Lamott's, this one surely has some value. I'm sure that many other how-to books are written in a fussy or hypnotizing style that will make reading more work than pleasure, but Lamott's book isn't. It is very readable, and often somewhat entertaining. Of particular interest to many readers is her discussion on getting published, and how one mustn't have illusions that allow one to believe that by being a published writer one's life will change for the better overnight. This is a good weed-out message for many people who will simply clutter the desks of literary agents with their hopeless efforts. In addition to Lamott's tiresome salt-and-peppering of the book with references to God (your dog is welcome, but please leave your dirty boots and your religion at the door) what I found particularly disagreeable, however, was Lamott's chapter "The Moral Point of View." Lamott isn't at all clear about what she wants to do here, claiming that one shouldn't attempt to convey "messages" in one's writing but then admitting that any "good" writer must do exactly that in some way or other in order for one's work to have any value. What she really wanted to say was that although writers must say something to their readers - and this means they have to make value judgments and moral statements - they'll fail if they go about it in a heavy-handed way reminiscent of children's fairytales. Good writers sneak their messages in, is what she means. The problem with this claim is that it assumes that there is only one way to write a book. Sometimes a message can be effectively transmitted subtly, sometimes quite overtly. There is no right or wrong way to do it outside of the context of the subject matter and the style of the work overall. Lamott makes this mistake of assuming "my way or the highway" again in the same chapter when she discusses the "truths" that writers must communicate, and again when she covers good triumphing over evil. Both subjects suffer in Lamott's hands because of her naïve treatment of them. She tells us to write about those "truths" that we all know and that "feel like givens." The fact that we don't all of us know what we mean by these truths, nor do we know what others mean by them, resulting in our inability to say that these sentiments are truly shared, is proven by human history in every story of war and political or religious struggle. Personally, I find Lamott's advice here a recipe for disaster for the thinking reader. For everyone else, it has proven itself to be particularly effective, and if Lamott is only trying to help writers to create pablum that is commercially viable, then fine, but I don't think that is her intention...The greatest writers find time, somewhere, in their work to wade into gray areas and stay there, to tell the truth that realizes that real life involves a lot of gray area and uncertainty...
What really finishes this poorly written chapter is Lamott's final word of advice. After telling writers not to "send messages" she advises them to "write about freedom"!! Just what on earth she means by that underlines the weakness of this entire chapter.
Rating:
Summary: I owe a great deal to Anne Lamott
Review: When I set out to write my first book, it felt overwhelming... Anne's take on writing, (BIRD BY BIRD) and her take on saying the first draft always belongs in the toilet -was a great encouragement to me. It was also a great encouragement to me, to see by her writing, that although she has faith, she isn't stuffy, or formal. I'd always thought when books mentioned faith, they immediatly became boring. Anne opened my eyes, to the world of a real person, with a REAL faith, and she gave me hope that writing about what I know, could be writing that would sell. I would have to say this book was pivital to getting me started in publishing. And although I've never met Anne Lamott, or talked to her on the phone, or even met anyone who knows her personally (just so you don't think this is a family puff) I have to say here, Anne's other books, OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS, and TRAVELING MERCIES are also wonderful. Marsha Marks
Rating: 
Summary: Emotionality, no meat
Review: Besides being an English Lit. major and spending large dollars for "writing books" and a "wall of fame" with all of the diplomas, this much-lauded book butts the rear-end of the caboose. Inspirational maybe, good writing - yeah perhaps, but no cigar. If you need inspiration or minor spiritual development, go for it. But beware, 'cause you may feel even more neurotic after reading it! If you prefer practical, meat and potatoes advice, don't bother with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good for Fiction Writers, Not So Good for Nonfiction Writers
Review: I was eager to read Anne Lamott's advice as I stocked up on books that I believed would help me begin my first serious foray into writing. However, as an aspiring nonfiction writer, I was a little disappointed by her many chapters devoted to fiction writing. I'm not unhappy that I bought it, as there are some useful bits that relate to writing in general, but if you are a nonfiction writer, there are probably other books that would serve your needs better.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: My publisher recommended this and after reading it I agree. It's laugh-out-loud funny and helpful too. A great book on writing.
Rating:
Summary: Over the top and completely hilarious!
Review: This book is great for anyone who is interested in writing. Through a series of suggestions, Anne Lamott both offers ways for writers to practice their craft and for them to deal with the inevitable difficulties that come with pursuing creativity, such as writer's block, jealousy and harsh criticism. Not only is the advice excellent, but the book is hilarious. Ms. Lamott speaks frankly (and endearingly) of her own failures, both as a writer and as a person, and tells some hilarious anecdotes. Since I struggle with jealousy, that chapter is one of my own personal favorites. This book is also liberating, in that it gently and subtly gives us (or, at least, me) permission to accept our own flaws and negativity, and see if perhaps they wouldn't make a good short story. For those looking for a detailed how-to manual on writing and publication, this book would probably be a disappointment. For others who might be interested in a excellent writer's reflections and musing on her craft, this is very funny reading, excellent advice, and would make an wonderful resource.
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