Comments (25)

Bird by Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life
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Sep 27, 2023JCLSarahZ rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A quick read on how to get started writing with lots of tidbits about the author's life. My favorite part of the whole book: “Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written…
Oct 17, 2022missywarner rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
One by one. Fun stories to apply to writing and life in general.
htliang
Jun 08, 2022htliang rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Funny and full of great advice. Bird by Bird is an awesome title for this book. ...So now I teach. This just sort of happened. Someone offered me a gig teaching a writing workshop about ten years ago, and I’ve been teaching writing…
Aug 19, 2021NANCY ELIZABETH WHITLATCH rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I can't believe I haven't read this before now. I borrowed it from the library and had to have my own copy for reference and was lucky enough to find a copy at the used book store. I do intend to re-read and devour all the amazing writing…
Jul 10, 2020
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life has an abundance of insightful wisdom and invaluable advice on life through the lens of Lamott’s jarring honesty. From hilarious to heartfelt, Lamott’s stories are well-written guides for…
May 25, 2020
Worth a listen if you are trying to get past feeling overwhelmed by starting to write something. Whether a book, a poem, maybe even a song. I may even listen to it again since I have it for an extra-long check-out thanks to the…
Sep 15, 2019dstradling rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
If you are looking for a detailed guide on theme, developing character, structure, etc, that can guide you step-by-step through the writing process, this is not the book for that. It is, however, a great book to read if you find yourself…
May 28, 2019MakoBarton rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The book depicts what it's like to be a writer from both a writer's and a writing teacher's perspectives. It's like she's speaking to you directly to tell you personal stories all about writing as a friend or a mentor. The author says…
Mar 17, 2019lunabookworm55 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I really loved going to my college class and reading this book. It has a soul, a warmth. It's not a textbook! Whoo hoo! But this book was really good, I was working at a fast food restaurant at the time I read this book, and I had a…
Nov 15, 2017spiderfelt_0 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
How often did I invoke Anne Lamont while coaching my daughter through the process of writing her college application essay? Every time we sat down. Writing is hard. Writing is work. It doesn't come easy. It gets better with practice. Some…
May 31, 2017mnwritergirrl rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Best book on he writing process ever written.
britprincess1ajax
Mar 28, 2017britprincess1ajax rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I've never read a writing guide quite like this one. Most writing guides are specific about the steps of writing -- you know, research, the first draft, revision, the second draft, and so on and so forth -- with the unspoken goal of…
Mar 23, 20171aa rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This is a book to read, not to use. But its delightful.
Sep 01, 2016JCLBeckyC rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I broke down in tears at the end of this book. Not too many writing manuals you can say that about. Anne Lamott is my best friend (even if she's unaware of it) and I truly believe if everyone would read her stuff we could achieve world…
Aug 30, 2016oliviapham rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A warm book filled with advice that relate both to writing and life. I didn't always connect with her voice but I did love the image of how writing a novel is like driving a car in the dark and being only able to see a few inches ahead at…
Jun 02, 2016TSCPL_ChrisB rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I thought this book succeeded best when Lamott was most serious. The stories she tells which slap the reader across the face, or tears their heart out and makes them weep--those are the ones which most motivated me. Too often, however, she…
Mar 11, 2014
This is one of the many books recommended by NaNoWriMo & Camp NaNoWriMo.
Jan 04, 2014Adele Seguin rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Buy it!
Jul 11, 2013modestgoddess rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Great fun to read, especially for writers, though I imagine non-writers might really enjoy Anne Lamott's style as well. I did object to her frequent references to being "mentally ill" but so appreciated her glimpses into the things that…
Jun 18, 2013commanderfudge rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book makes me feel so much better about myself. A successful person actually has the same habits and weird obsessions as I do. I now have to go out and get all her other books. Made writing fiction a lot less scary.
Jan 24, 2013
This is part writing book, part memoir, but I own it because it's truly amazing and very witty. Delves not only into writing but into the world of publishing as well.
maria72094
Jan 29, 2012maria72094 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Good book!!! It made me want to start a journal and write more.
Sep 03, 2011ravensview rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended via some blog. Front describes as "Some Instructions on Writing and Life". That it is. may re-read before sending it in. May buy a copy.
Dec 20, 2010CharB rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A fantastic, fresh book about writing a life. Poignant and funny.
Dec 19, 2007
Don't let the title or subject matter confuse you or put you off. Yes, this is a book about writing and it is also about life and how to live it. If you are a writer, it's an excellent (and very funny) writing manual. If you're not, you…