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Bird by Bird Instructions Writing & Life Paperback

by Anne Lamott (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 588 ratings
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  1. Language
    English
  2. Dimensions
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  3. ISBN-10
    1786898551
  4. ISBN-13
    978-1786898555
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Product details

  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1786898551
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1786898555
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.71 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 588 ratings

About the author

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Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott

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Anne Lamott is the New York Times bestselling author of Help, Thanks, Wow; Small Victories; Stitches; Some Assembly Required; Grace (Eventually); Plan B; Traveling Mercies; Bird by Bird; Operating Instructions, and the forthcoming Hallelujah Anyway. She is also the author of several novels, including Imperfect Birds and Rosie. A past recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and an inductee to the California Hall of Fame, she lives in Northern California.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
588 global ratings
Highly Recommended
5 Stars
Highly Recommended
Part memoir, part writing tips, Anne Lamott’s book is an essential read for anyone who has dared to dream of being a writer. Borrowing lessons from the classes she teaches, and often told in hilarious, dark, no-nonsense bursts of info, Bird By Bird covers wanting to be a writer, the realities of publishing, impostor syndrome, jealousy, and how to dig deep to put your heart on the page. It’s honest, relatable, unvarnished, and written in a way that feels as if the secrets to the creative life are on the page. Highly recommended.
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Top reviews from the United States

Plumarosa
5.0 out of 5 stars Best advice this writer ever got!
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
If only I head read it sooner. Annie's wit and candid approach is refreshing. Head smacking, fun read, fun as audio as well.
2 people found this helpful
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R. Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Will make you want to write!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
Excellent perspectives on writing. Many stories kept my interest. I’m ready to read it again.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to Write even if you think you know how
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
Lamott's journey and reading style keeps me intrigued throughout the entire book. What is meant to be an informational writing reference is somewhat a nail-bitting thriller for me. Read this book to learn about Lamott's valuable writing techniques in an interesting way.
3 people found this helpful
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K.M. Allan
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2023
Part memoir, part writing tips, Anne Lamott’s book is an essential read for anyone who has dared to dream of being a writer. Borrowing lessons from the classes she teaches, and often told in hilarious, dark, no-nonsense bursts of info, Bird By Bird covers wanting to be a writer, the realities of publishing, impostor syndrome, jealousy, and how to dig deep to put your heart on the page. It’s honest, relatable, unvarnished, and written in a way that feels as if the secrets to the creative life are on the page. Highly recommended.
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K.M. Allan
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2023
Part memoir, part writing tips, Anne Lamott’s book is an essential read for anyone who has dared to dream of being a writer. Borrowing lessons from the classes she teaches, and often told in hilarious, dark, no-nonsense bursts of info, Bird By Bird covers wanting to be a writer, the realities of publishing, impostor syndrome, jealousy, and how to dig deep to put your heart on the page. It’s honest, relatable, unvarnished, and written in a way that feels as if the secrets to the creative life are on the page. Highly recommended.
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3 people found this helpful
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Kathy Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars Lamott's wisdom and hilarity is unmatched.
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2023
I chose this book for a class because I had seen Lamott's TED talk and found her really funny, and I am so glad I chose it. I had to stifle giggles for most of the book, and I found that I just wanted to share everything that I was reading with my friends. Lamott's advice is targeted toward writers, but I found that much of what she wrote can apply to broader aspects of life as well. She balanced very practical advice with really interesting stories from her own life, all the while exhibiting grace and humor. This is a fantastic book and I have literally not shut up about it. (Seriously my friends are so sick of me talking about it.)

Note for my professor: I read 100% of this book.
6 people found this helpful
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McKenzie Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars From Laughing to Epiphanies - Absolutely Great!
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2018
As a student working on completing their Masters in English, this book was amazing. It helped me to remember why I love writing so much and that sometimes we cant let things in the real world weasel their way into our passions. Funny. Brilliant. You won't regret adding this to your "Read List"
2 people found this helpful
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John von Dohren
2.0 out of 5 stars What's all the fuss about?
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2022
For some reason, this seems to be the writing craft book that everybody says you need to read. So I finally broke down and read it. And my overwhelming feeling is: what's all the fuss about? There's just not much here given all the hype about the book. Not to say there aren't some good things in here. There are perhaps 30 pages of good writing advice in the book, unfortunately buried in another 200 pages of drivel. It doesn't feel so much like a craft book about writing as Lamott (who has a rather pessimistic view of life) wallowing in stuff. She is not a believer in actually planning your novel ahead of time, but rather just diving in and hoping something comes out at the end. I would recommend any of the books by K. M. Weiland over this book if you really want to learn how to write.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Rui
5.0 out of 5 stars Bird by bird - taking things one step at a time
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Bird by Bird is not just a book on writing, it’s a delightful journey into the heart and soul of the craft. Anne Lamott, with her wit and wisdom, creates an atmosphere that is both instructive and profoundly entertaining.

At its core, the book is a psychological guide for aspiring writers. Lamott encourages authenticity, urging writers to pen down their true thoughts and feelings. She emphasizes the importance of being grounded, dismissing the illusion that writing is a quick path to success or riches. Writing, as she points out, is a means of self-expression, a way to connect with readers on a deeply personal level. Whether portraying the beauty or the ugliness of the world, Lamott suggests that being a genuine writer is a rare and fortunate vocation.

The title - Bird by Bird reflects Lamott’s approach to writing and life: taking things one step at a time, facing challenges gradually, and persevering through the process. This metaphorical advice is not only applicable to writing but also serves as a life lesson for tackling any daunting task or goal.
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Charles Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic.
Reviewed in Spain on January 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is such a useful resource and very entertaining to read. You get to peek inside Anne's slightly crazy mind, which is full of priceless advice. If you are a writer or author, take comfort in this book and let it guide you through the madness of the world of writing.
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Mojca
5.0 out of 5 stars Different approach
Reviewed in Germany on October 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
This books showed me a somehow different attitude towards writing. It was not only about the techniques but mostly about how to approach writing. I loved it a lot! I am now reading it for the second time :)
One person found this helpful
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Chipolata
5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great product. Great book.
One person found this helpful
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A lawyer of sorts
4.0 out of 5 stars Honest. Funny. Helpful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
This seems to be a very open and honest account of the author's writing life. It is, at times, laugh-out-loud hilarious (intentionally). It also gives some good, realistic, advice about writing.
2 people found this helpful
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