Bird by Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Anne Lamott

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Tim Ferriss: "Fantastic book."

Book Synopsis

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is a guide for aspiring writers, offering wisdom, advice, and encouragement. Through a series of anecdotes, Lamott shares her insights on the craft of writing, providing both practical tips and emotional support.

With a humorous and compassionate tone, Lamott emphasizes the importance of taking writing one step at a time, just as birds build their nests. She encourages writers to start with small goals, tackling their work bit by bit, rather than getting overwhelmed by the daunting task of writing a whole novel.

Lamott also addresses the critical voice that often plagues writers, urging them to embrace imperfection and understand that first drafts are meant to be messy. She emphasizes the importance of silence and solitude in the writing process, advocating for the need to create a space free from distractions to allow ideas to flow.

Throughout the book, Lamott touches on various aspects of the writer's life, such as the struggles of jealousy and comparison, dealing with rejection, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. She explores the power of observation and encourages writers to pay attention to the world around them, finding stories in the smallest details.

Bird by Bird is not only a practical guide for writers, but also a testament to the transformative power of writing. Lamott's personal anecdotes and honest reflections make this book a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the creative process and find their own voice.

Explore More Books

See All
The Trap
The Amber Spyglass
The Columbian Exchange
Mindfulness
With All Due Respect
Information
Ford vs. Ferrari
San Fransicko
Influence
The Transit of Venus
Physics of the Impossible
Other People's Money
The Art Of Doing Science And Engineering
Game of Thorns
Facing Codependence
Freakonomics
Bitcoin
Son of the Morning Star
Heaven on Earth
Lenin
The Gray Lady Winked
Self Belief
The Reluctant Mr. Darwin
Seeker
One of a Kind
Stuff and Nonsense
The Golden Trade of the Moors
Farsighted
The German Generals Talk
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
The World That Wasn't
Search Inside Yourself
Blink
Chapterhouse: Dune
The Upside of Inequality
Be Here Now
The Great Gatsby
Nonviolent Communication
United States of Socialism
First Friends
Lean In
The Writing Life
How To Live
Putin's Kleptocracy
Job Stacking
Life in the English Country House
Private Truths, Public Lies
Save The Cat!
Adultery
If The Universe Is Teeming With Aliens...Where Is Everybody?
Rock On
We Are The Nerds
Marc's Mission
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Reason Begins
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Sex, Ecology, Spirituality
The Book of Nothing
The Last Lecture
Ice Age
Home Economics
Opportunity Knocks
History of the World
Value Investing
Not Fade Away
Nixonland
Ponzi's Scheme
Necessary Dreams
Fleishman Is In Trouble
The Spy and The Traitor
Hoover Dam
One Monster After Another
Count Down
Of Wolves and Men
The Cost Of Hope
The Things They Carried
Alchemy
Execution
The Bottomless Well
Blitzscaling
Thinking with Type
The Book of Life
Certain To Win
Just Mercy
V for Vendetta
The River of Doubt
The Paris Architect
The Heart
The Madness of Crowds
Living With A SEAL
Four Quartets
Gay Like Me
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits
Diocletian and the Roman Recovery
COAN
Ready Player One
Look to Windward
Hamlet
The Storm of Steel
Whiplash
The Sovereign Individual