Bird by Bird cover art

Bird by Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

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Bird by Bird

By: Anne Lamott
Narrated by: Susan Bennett
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About this listen

Bird by Bird is a modern classic - a funny and practical guide to being a writer by the New York Times best-selling author Anne Lamott.

Bird by Bird is the bible of writing guides - a wry, honest, down-to-earth book that has never stopped selling since it was first published in the United States in the 1990s. Best-selling novelist and memoirist Anne Lamott distils what she's learned over years of trial and error. Beautifully written, wise and immensely helpful, this is the book for all serious writers and writers-to-be.

For a quarter century, more than a million people - scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities - have been inspired by Anne Lamott’s hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice. Advice that begins with the simple words of wisdom passed down from Anne’s father - also a writer - in the iconic passage that gives the book its title:

'Thirty years ago, my older brother, who was 10 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.'

©1994 Anne Lamott (P)2019 Penguin Random House LLC
Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Nonfiction Funny Witty Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

"A warm, generous and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps." (Los Angeles Times)

"[A] classic of the genre.... The lessons she shares with her students...are refreshing." (Guardian)

"Deftly and honestly explores the mental challenges of being a writer, and Lamott's advice is, simply put, invaluable." (Bustle)

All stars
Most relevant  
Funny, insightful and full of wisdom. As a writer I loved this book. Highly recommend.

Love it

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Her honestly and humour I really was surprised by. I felt as though we were almost in a conversation together, only I hadn't said a word yet. However many times I laughed out loud at her hilarious one liners. The insight I personally have gained shall serve me well. The reading was also fabulous, her voice reading how Anne speaks, as I watched a YouTube of her introducing this book, bird by bird. Great advice, great audible book, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Anne speaks directly to Us.

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Ann Lamott is funny, raw, vulnerable and sees life in words that are pictures themselves.
This is the most wonderful book on writing I have ever read and with so many applicable quotes that actually have an impact on how you think about yourself.
Words are our gift to all that come after us we need to leave these gifts behind if only for our sons and daughters to understand us fully.
I will read this over and over to absorb it like a sponge.
Thank you Ann Lamott.
And thank you Christine Kane for recommending we read more books like this.

What a great way to get lost in life

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I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book.
The narrator was excellent. You’d swear she wrote these words. I’m going to listen again because there is so much great advice for a would be writer like me.

Brilliant funny and informative

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To give it 5 stars in forced to put something in this box which I don’t want so don’t make me do it again

Good

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Usually I find educational books to be like cooling vegetables on the plate - beneficial but boring. This one was like a serving of hot apple pie - funny, helpful and heartwarmingly real. I think Anne could make even the most mundane of topics fun to read. The narrator also did a top job of putting a voice to every mood.

Brilliant!

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As an aspiring writer, I came across this book when I was researching books on the subject. Anne Lamott’s honesty and humour is life giving and so refreshing. It made me feel so inspired to write for writings sake. To tell of beautiful and painful things. This book is one I know I will listen to again and again. Laugh out loud funny at times, so rich in its depth and description of the human experience. I only just finished my first listen through, and I’m looking forward to starting it over again tomorrow. A treasure

Life changing

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Had a few good chuckles. The anecdotes are clever and hilarious ways to get a point across.

So many memorable and funny stories

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Loved it. interesting read - love the episodic writing, story telling, messages and humour. Excellent narration.

loved it so much, I listened to it twice

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I listened to the audio while reading the physical book. After 2 days I walked outside and felt like I'd finally found my life's purpose.

This book showed me what great writing truly is.

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