THE SATURDAY REVIEW
Bird By Bird – by Anne Lamott
Publisher: Anchor
ISBN-13: 978-0385480017
Some instructions on writing and life.
From the back cover: “Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write. it was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.’”
I’m not exactly sure how to describe this book to you. If you’ve never read Anne Lamott, you owe yourself the experience. And I do mean experience. A warm, insightful, witty and amazingly honest read, you come away feeling like you’ve just zipped through the mind of a mad genius. And someone you wish you could call up and just chat with like a new best friend.
Reviewed by Darcy Crowder
by Darcy Crowder
7 comments
This sounds like a great book. I love the title and the concept behind it. Sometimes the task might seem overwhelming and you could benefit by taking it one step at a time. I’ve never read her books but I think I will try this one.
Marilyn
I read this book years ago and loved it. Thanks for reminding me!
I have this book. It’s fabulous!
It looks like a great book! Thanks for sharing it with us Darcy!
Tami
I love this book. I have it on my night stand. Thanks, Darcy, for sharing it with us.
This is the best book on writing EVER. I have read it twice and I think this is the Universe’s way of telling me I need to read it again.
A must read for any writer! Thanks so much for reviewing it, Darcy.