A Beautiful Book to Read to Start the Year

or end it, or at any point in the 12 month period.  That's true of any book by Anne Lamott.  Traveling Mercies:  some thoughts on faith is no exception. I do have one regret, I wish I would have read her chapter Mom before my mother died.  I urge you, if you still have your momma, read at least this chapter now. 

The Only Downside

to Operating Instructions:  a Journal of My Son's First Year by the incredible Anne Lamott was that it was not read by the author.  I almost stopped listening after hearing that she was not the narrator.  But Rebecca Lowman did an excellent job.  And the book was so good.  Even for someone who has never been a mother.  After reading this one, I wanted to learn more about Sam Lamott and I knew that even though I hadn't been a mom, I would still love it, since I loved that one and will never be a grandma!

Word By Word

is an lecture of sorts, done as a result of the great success that Anne Lamott had with her book Bird by Bird which I hope to read very soon.  Word By Word is great though.  And it makes me want to read the book even more.  There is so much more here than advice for aspiring writers.  And today I even wrote 400 plus words!  So thank you, Ms. Lamott for your continued wisdom and joy.  It was cool listening to this after having finished the latest Jack Gantos book, on the same topic but for kids, but man, really for anyone.  I wonder if Gantos and Lamott have ever met.  I bet they would get along very well!

Plans C, D, E and so on!

Listening to an Anne Lamott book will be my whole Alphabet Plan for the new year and always.  Plan B:  Further Thoughts on Faith was another excellent listen.  My mother has been listening along and she really is inspired by Lamott who seems to be the first person to really ask the questions and share the concerns that my mother has.  Great, great stuff. 

Even though

I will never be a mother or a grandmother, and even though I was hesitant to read Some Assembly Required:  A Journal of My Son's First Son, I soon realized that one doesn't have to be a mother or grandmother or son, first or otherwise, or father to appreciate this beautiful and honest and heart-breaking book. 
If I had already fallen in love with Sam Lamott just from what his mother has written about him in her other books, I would have fallen in love after reading this. 

I still can't spell

Hallelujah.  Which is too bad because as a pastor it's a word that I might use more than some.  I also can't spell bulletin, which again, given my vocation, makes it tough!  Hallelujah Anyway:  Reflections on Mercy by Anne Lamott was wonderful.  Yes, I am reading everything I can by her.  In this one she mentions a tweet that she wrote about "the only transgender person she can't stand" and it was easy for me to google that whole debacle.  I was so touched and impressed by her honesty and admission of wrong in this incident.  And her openness regarding the impact that her son had on her dealing with the situation. 
What google couldn't do was tell me which author she is talking about when she writes about an author who said nasty things about her and humiliated her.  Doesn't she know that I need to know so I can hate this author?!?  Doesn't she know that I need to know who did this to her so that I can hope that this author will get bad reviews forever?!?
Oh wait, maybe I am supposed to be merciful.
Live and learn.
And grow.  Excellent book.

Still Don't Really Understand Darning

But that doesn't mean that Stitches:  a Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair is excellent.  It seems that every Anne Lamott book review says, "Her most profound book yet.," and well, I have to agree.  I mean, I am not reading them in the order in which they were published, but every time I read a new one, I am blown away.
Oh, and here is how to darn! 

Why?

Why, why, why didn't I read Anne Lamott before now?  So many people told me to do so!  Why did I wait so long?  On the other hand, I REALLY need this now, you know? Grace (Eventually):  Thoughts on Faith was another read-by-the-author wonderful book.  What strikes me about this book and Small Victories is Lamott's description of her anger and heartbreak surrounding Little Bush's administration.  (My dad called the H.W. "Big Bush" and G.W. "Little Bush and I think I will do that, too.  Thanks, dad!)  I agree that this was a horrible, horrible time in our country.  And that Little Bush made reprehensible decisions and what was even more reprehensible was that he claimed to have a strong faith in Jesus, but I look at our current administration and I wonder what Lamott must be thinking now.  So I have been listening to podcasts like this one (and I just find it SO cool and hard to believe that I was on this podcast once!) and this one and this one.  And I fall deeper in love with Lamott.  Because she is so calm and so reassuring and while being completely aware and active.  I was especially captivated by Lamott's description of an eating binge, as well, you know my deal.  So thank you, Ms. Lamott for your brilliance and your grace, for who you are. 

Ms. Lamott

is becoming a SUPER favorite author of mine.  Wow.  I really loved Almost Everything:  Notes on Hope and I just finished Small Victories:  Spotting Improbably Moments of Grace and I loved that, too.  She is hilarious and heart-breaking and thought-provoking and just brilliant.  Wow she was right on about the online dating profiles, too!  I remember when I was going through that and yes, yes, yes, she is spot on!  Wonderful book. 

As the MId-Term

elections loom, even though I know greed will win and there is no hope, so I should already be resignedly miserable, I am still anxious. I guess I am anxious because I know many people who are still hopeful.  I find this hard to imagine.  I am hopeful about many things.  I am certain about Ever Lasting Life.  I am certain about God's Love.  And that is much more important than good results on any election day!  I just don't have any hope for our country.  Because greed seems to win on this side of the Jordan.  So be it. 
Still this is an anxious time and I don't look forward to seeing the crestfallen faces of my dear friends on Wednesday morning.  Anne Lamott's Almost Everything:  Notes of Hope was a wonderful read for this time of ennui. 
I have been encouraged to read her before but foolishly never have.  I am so glad I did.  To get an idea of the magic in this book and the hope, I suggest this article.
For mother, others, those who worry about food and weight or getting older or death.  This book is just a blessing.