Welcome to Litsy!

Has anyone read this book? I‘m listening to the audiobook for a group discussion and I had to stop, and returned it to Audible. I don‘t mean to be disrespectful of the author, but she should not be narrating anything. Her voice is not suited to it. So I‘m trying to decide if I want to spend the money to buy a print copy. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I love Anne Lamott, but this one just didn‘t resonate with me as well as some of her other books. It felt more disjointed as a whole, and there were fewer individual chapters I connected with. I do still love her honesty, and her fierce commitment to love and service and self-care. Those themes are present here, and there are some good moments, just not as many as I‘d hoped.

Book 144

I read Dusk Night Dawn for a book club. Lamott's stream of consciousness writing (about Covid and global warming) comes across pretentious and slightly whiney and isn't my cup of tea. Book club discussion promoted a more positive outlook, however. I realized that humans throughout history must have felt the hopelessness of night, though, from a distance, we can see the eventuality of morning.

Not my favorite Anne Lamott book.

I usually come across several highlight-able quotes, but not so much this time.

Anne Lamott is like a friend who “gets you,” knows just what to say to make you feel understood, reminds you that you‘re not alone and that you can certainly handle whatever this crazy world throws at you. Her beautifully sculpted, profound words are truly salve for the soul!
(Photo: Last year, I watched her delightful online conversation with Glennon Doyle. Anne surprised us all by signing every book ordered.🙌🏻)
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@TheAromaofBooks

I liked some moments, and truly appreciated one essay about various kinds of love. But overall, it was entirely too spiritual, Jesus-based, and biblically focused for me. I appreciate her ability to tell a story and her skillful writing. But Lamott just isn‘t for me. (Except Bird by Bird, which I loved.)

#thebibliophage2021 #whenbookclubbooksgowrong #unpopularopinion

Listened to this one in a day! It made me tear up at moments. Anne Lamott is always the same, which is a good thing in my opinion. One of the best parts of this book was that it reminded me that the best way to feel better and less stressed is actually to serve others. ❤️ I have really enjoyed the progression of the last four nonfiction books I‘ve read. I didn‘t plan it, but each of them has had a natural connection to the other, pairing nicely.

Bookworms in Bed

Text exchange Anne has with a friend about her husband Neal early in their marriage:
“'Relationships are hard.'
'I know. but I think you've forgotten that he's your friend.'
...
'He's your friend that you get to sleep with and wake up with. That's what married life is at its most basic. A friend, your teammate, a person you trust and look forward to talking to, about anything. Someone who seems to really, really like you, who you like, too'“ (19).

Love Lamont‘s writing, but this one was an average of ok. Some parts were wonderful, some parts missed the mark for me. Overall good, not great.

Books with a view! I‘m loving both of these as I settle in for a week at the sea 🌊🐚

This is my first Lamott. Her blend of liberal Christianity and spirituality reminds me of my own beliefs. In this book, she celebrates the resilience of everyday life. While she worries about how large issues like climate change will affect her grandson, she finds strength in her first marriage (at age 65!) and her many years of sobriety. She relates nine small stories that point to the larger truths in us.