A review of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

I listened to the book as an audiobook over almost a month, here are some quick thoughts.

The book is so.very. detailed. If you are an aspiring writer, or anybody in the creative field, this should be the go-to read because the author has thought of everything. Jealousy? Check! Fear? Check! Being sued for libel? Check? She's really thought it all!

She deeps dive into the art of the craft. How do you come up with ideas for characters? What about plots? What happens when you think you're out of ideas, all of them? How do you harvest your trauma and turn it into 'cash'? How do you deal with editors? Is it a good idea to take long writers' retreats?

The voice artist for the book, the original voiceover provider for Siri, was spectacular. The book was already topnotch, but the voice-artists diction and performance gave it that extra edge one could only dream of. I wouldn't be too surprised if the bigwigs at Apple decided to give her the offer after listening to this audiobook, because this is the perfect use of her ability to convey calmness and suggestion. Just. So. Good. Her diction is amazing too, she can bring out emotions to the words and sentences in ways very few others do. For the longest time I figured this was read by the author herself because the read felt so very honest.

I realize giving a book ten out of ten stars is a dangerous route to go, but there is no other way. If there was ever a book that deserved 10/10 points, this is it.

Highly, highly, recommend to anybody with even some aspirations of becoming a writer.