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Somehow: Thoughts on Love
From the bestselling author of Dusk, Night, Dawn and Help, Thanks, Wow , a joyful celebration of love
“Love is our only hope,” Anne Lamott writes in this perceptive new book. “It is not always the easiest choice, but it is always the right one, the noble path, the way home to safety, no matter how bleak the future looks.”
In Thoughts on Love , Lamott explores the transformative power that love has in our how it surprises us, forces us to confront uncomfortable truths, reminds us of our humanity, and guides us forward. “Love just won't be pinned down,” she says. “It is in our very atmosphere” and lies at the heart of who we are. We are, Lamott says, creatures of love.
In each chapter of Somehow , Lamott refracts all the colors of the spectrum. She explores the unexpected love for a partner later in life. The bruised (and bruising) love for a child who disappoints, even frightens. The sustaining love among a group of sinners, for a community in transition, in the wider world. The lessons she underscores are that love enlightens as it educates, comforts as it energizes, sustains as it surprises.
Somehow is Anne Lamott’s twentieth book, and in it she draws from her own life and experience to delineate the intimate and elemental ways that love buttresses us in the face of despair as it galvanizes us to believe that tomorrow will be better than today. Full of the compassion and humanity that have made Lamott beloved by millions of readers, Somehow is classic Anne funny, warm, and wise.
“Love is our only hope,” Anne Lamott writes in this perceptive new book. “It is not always the easiest choice, but it is always the right one, the noble path, the way home to safety, no matter how bleak the future looks.”
In Thoughts on Love , Lamott explores the transformative power that love has in our how it surprises us, forces us to confront uncomfortable truths, reminds us of our humanity, and guides us forward. “Love just won't be pinned down,” she says. “It is in our very atmosphere” and lies at the heart of who we are. We are, Lamott says, creatures of love.
In each chapter of Somehow , Lamott refracts all the colors of the spectrum. She explores the unexpected love for a partner later in life. The bruised (and bruising) love for a child who disappoints, even frightens. The sustaining love among a group of sinners, for a community in transition, in the wider world. The lessons she underscores are that love enlightens as it educates, comforts as it energizes, sustains as it surprises.
Somehow is Anne Lamott’s twentieth book, and in it she draws from her own life and experience to delineate the intimate and elemental ways that love buttresses us in the face of despair as it galvanizes us to believe that tomorrow will be better than today. Full of the compassion and humanity that have made Lamott beloved by millions of readers, Somehow is classic Anne funny, warm, and wise.
204 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2024
About the author
Anne Lamott
69 books9,628 followersAnne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity. She appeals to her fans because of her sense of humor, her deeply felt insights, and her outspoken views on topics such as her left-of-center politics and her unconventional Christian faith. She is a graduate of Drew College Preparatory School in San Francisco, California. Her father, Kenneth Lamott, was also a writer and was the basis of her first novel Hard Laughter.
Lamott's life is documented in Freida Lee Mock's 1999 documentary Bird by Bird: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott.
Lamott's life is documented in Freida Lee Mock's 1999 documentary Bird by Bird: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 469 reviews
April 22, 2024
"Life is such a mystery that you have to wonder if God drinks a little."
Lines like that are the reason her fans love Anne Lamott. The last few of her books seemed to be lacking her old spirit and humor, just a basic rewriting of old offerings. With this one, she's back, melding the old Anne with a newer, older Anne. Somehow is about love in all its many forms. Not just for people, but for nature and ideas and animals and places and things. I love her common sense approach. Quit giving your kids advice, they don't want it, won't take it, and resent you for being right even if you are. Be kind, help where you can, be tolerant (except when it comes to certain politicians) Avoid women who have perfect, high achieving children and love to talk about them.
I truly enjoyed this small book. We are all imperfect in our different ways, and beating yourself up for whatever mistakes and failings you commit doesn't help. Pick up and move on. This makes a great gift, but read it yourself before giving it away.
Lines like that are the reason her fans love Anne Lamott. The last few of her books seemed to be lacking her old spirit and humor, just a basic rewriting of old offerings. With this one, she's back, melding the old Anne with a newer, older Anne. Somehow is about love in all its many forms. Not just for people, but for nature and ideas and animals and places and things. I love her common sense approach. Quit giving your kids advice, they don't want it, won't take it, and resent you for being right even if you are. Be kind, help where you can, be tolerant (except when it comes to certain politicians) Avoid women who have perfect, high achieving children and love to talk about them.
I truly enjoyed this small book. We are all imperfect in our different ways, and beating yourself up for whatever mistakes and failings you commit doesn't help. Pick up and move on. This makes a great gift, but read it yourself before giving it away.
December 30, 2023
A typical book of essays by Anne Lamott about life, love, and faith. I used to really love Anne Lamott's books, but I think they've all started to just feel kind of same-y to me. You pretty much know what you're going to get at this point if you've already read an Anne Lamott book. Your opinion on whether or not that's a good thing may differ.
May 28, 2024
I think many of us have authors we go to when words of wisdom, encouragement are needed. For the last several years it, for me, has been the late Wagamese, the late MaryOliver and her poetry, and of course this author. Plus, it’s a book about love during a time when it seems the world is consumed by hate.
When I read books such as this, I marvel at the situations people come through and still find ways to be positive. Lamont has had much strife in her life, addictions to overcome and a son she so worried about. Yet, her love for the world and all in it is inspiring. It gives me comfort to know that this is possible. That there are still people in the world that think like this.
One strange thing that I have to mention is that, when a child, if she cried, her parents would make her cry into a jar of artichokes. A novel parenting style.
When I read books such as this, I marvel at the situations people come through and still find ways to be positive. Lamont has had much strife in her life, addictions to overcome and a son she so worried about. Yet, her love for the world and all in it is inspiring. It gives me comfort to know that this is possible. That there are still people in the world that think like this.
One strange thing that I have to mention is that, when a child, if she cried, her parents would make her cry into a jar of artichokes. A novel parenting style.
March 31, 2024
I would challenge most anyone to read a book by Anne and not gain a bit of wisdom, insight or appreciation for humanity. I've read most (if not all) of Anne's nonfiction books and this collection of essays shared different nuisances and experiences. Her essays in this book should be read slowly and with care. I highlighted several lines and hope to return back to them. Anne is one of those people I'm simply grateful to be sharing the planet with. Appreciate the early copy from NetGalley so much. Absolutely 5 star. Full transparency, it would be difficult for me to rate her nonfiction work anything lower than a 5.
April 13, 2024
I think Anne Lamott must write these rambling books (which is a genuine art and skill unto itself) in hopes that one line or one word or one small story will stick for each of us.
I don’t think it’s a great plan as a reader to hope you will understand everything that she is laying down. It’s too rambling for that.
With that said, here is what stuck to me today:
“When I first got sober, a man told me that upon waking every morning, instead of reciting the standard flowery recovery prayer, he said, ‘Whatever,’ and at night when he turned off his light to go to sleep, he said, ‘Oh, well.’”
“In between he practiced simplicity—he stayed sober, worked on acceptance, tried to be of service to others, went for nature walks, picked up litter, made himself some tea, and called it a day.”
There are many ways to write that narrative. Everyone can write that in their own way just for their own self. I just particularly like the way this sober man expressed it and I like that Anne Lamott recognized the importance of sharing it in her book.
I don’t think it’s a great plan as a reader to hope you will understand everything that she is laying down. It’s too rambling for that.
With that said, here is what stuck to me today:
“When I first got sober, a man told me that upon waking every morning, instead of reciting the standard flowery recovery prayer, he said, ‘Whatever,’ and at night when he turned off his light to go to sleep, he said, ‘Oh, well.’”
“In between he practiced simplicity—he stayed sober, worked on acceptance, tried to be of service to others, went for nature walks, picked up litter, made himself some tea, and called it a day.”
There are many ways to write that narrative. Everyone can write that in their own way just for their own self. I just particularly like the way this sober man expressed it and I like that Anne Lamott recognized the importance of sharing it in her book.
January 2, 2024
Anne Lamott's books tend to be hit or miss for me, and this one hit the mark. It was at turns poignant and laugh out loud funny. Two of my favorite quotes from the book are:
"Love presents most obviously in babies and kids being cuddled, yet also as patience with annoying humans we live or work with or are."
"Curiosity leads to wonder and wonder is a cousin to love."
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The book will be released on April 9, 2024.
"Love presents most obviously in babies and kids being cuddled, yet also as patience with annoying humans we live or work with or are."
"Curiosity leads to wonder and wonder is a cousin to love."
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The book will be released on April 9, 2024.
May 27, 2024
At the end of a very difficult school year, I needed this book.
I needed the reminders that Anne Lamott always gives me:
* that "love is our only hope;"
* that "if you want to have loving feelings, do loving things;"
* that grace is basically "spiritual WD-40;"
* that in a world full of things that suck, focus on the "sparrows and lilies;"
* that "the longest twenty inches on Earth are from the brain to the heart;"
* that yep, "it is not fair. Fair is where the pony rides are;"
* that probably even "Jesus would agree that some people are incredibly annoying;"
* that the secret of life is to "read a lot of books and don't keep bad secrets;"
* and that "we can't give up on love batting last or we are truly doomed."
She quoted Carl Sagan, and it literally brought me to tears when I read "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." Wow.
And she quoted Pablo Picasso, saying "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." That will be my mantra this summer as I dive into my dissertation.
Anne Lamott always seems to write what I need to read. It's not always easy, but it always makes me think, and it always eases my heart. What a gift.
I needed the reminders that Anne Lamott always gives me:
* that "love is our only hope;"
* that "if you want to have loving feelings, do loving things;"
* that grace is basically "spiritual WD-40;"
* that in a world full of things that suck, focus on the "sparrows and lilies;"
* that "the longest twenty inches on Earth are from the brain to the heart;"
* that yep, "it is not fair. Fair is where the pony rides are;"
* that probably even "Jesus would agree that some people are incredibly annoying;"
* that the secret of life is to "read a lot of books and don't keep bad secrets;"
* and that "we can't give up on love batting last or we are truly doomed."
She quoted Carl Sagan, and it literally brought me to tears when I read "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." Wow.
And she quoted Pablo Picasso, saying "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." That will be my mantra this summer as I dive into my dissertation.
Anne Lamott always seems to write what I need to read. It's not always easy, but it always makes me think, and it always eases my heart. What a gift.
June 26, 2024
I alternated between loving and hating this book one page -or even one paragraph- to the next.
I have issues with content like this that’s infused with religion, but that is a me problem.
I also kinda don’t like her? That sound mean, but she kept coming back to the fact she was so self-righteous and then she would say some other stuff that proved it and I was okay I’m glad your self aware, buttttt it got a little obnoxious at times.
Very beautiful writing though, I’ll give her that.
I have issues with content like this that’s infused with religion, but that is a me problem.
I also kinda don’t like her? That sound mean, but she kept coming back to the fact she was so self-righteous and then she would say some other stuff that proved it and I was okay I’m glad your self aware, buttttt it got a little obnoxious at times.
Very beautiful writing though, I’ll give her that.
April 14, 2024
I've read several Anne Lamott books and loved them. Somehow: Thoughts on Love typifies Lamott's writing. I gleaned about one poignant or interesting thought from each chapter, but Lamott's writing didn't delight me as it has before. I do enjoy her stream-of-consciousness association with whatever current topic she's chosen. Maybe her message is too familiar.
March 5, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anne Lamott is so imperfectly perfect in her writing. She makes it okay to admit to our weaknesses in character and to accept our flawed selves.
Anne Lamott is so imperfectly perfect in her writing. She makes it okay to admit to our weaknesses in character and to accept our flawed selves.
July 6, 2024
Annie, you've lost your snarky edge, and that's a good thing. Instead, Lamott has a gentle tone, kind to all, even awful politicians.
I loved this book on love.
I loved this book on love.
April 11, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
Annie Lamott has done it again.
Her kind but searing honesty shines through in her latest take on life, love, and the universe.
And prepare to be surprised by the places she takes you in this little book.
The love she describes can’t be contained in sentiment or good vibes.
It’s a look into the deeper, stranger, unboxable principle behind all of life.
Plus, she bares her own soul and foibles in ways that made me love her from the moment I first read Bird by Bird. Delivering the medicine covered in self-disclosure and laugh out loud humor, if you are like me, you will find yourself thinking, opening your heart, and committing to loving more deeply and universally than ever before — starting with yourself.
What’s that in my eyes? Not tears. No, just, you know, springtime pollen shaken loose from the nearby apple blossoms by the energy of Life that moves the winds. Okay, I’m crying. You caught me.
Annie Lamott has done it again.
Her kind but searing honesty shines through in her latest take on life, love, and the universe.
And prepare to be surprised by the places she takes you in this little book.
The love she describes can’t be contained in sentiment or good vibes.
It’s a look into the deeper, stranger, unboxable principle behind all of life.
Plus, she bares her own soul and foibles in ways that made me love her from the moment I first read Bird by Bird. Delivering the medicine covered in self-disclosure and laugh out loud humor, if you are like me, you will find yourself thinking, opening your heart, and committing to loving more deeply and universally than ever before — starting with yourself.
What’s that in my eyes? Not tears. No, just, you know, springtime pollen shaken loose from the nearby apple blossoms by the energy of Life that moves the winds. Okay, I’m crying. You caught me.
Read
May 2, 2024A rambling book of gibberish. I couldn't finish it. Again- Gretchen Rubin recommended it and it stinks.
May 13, 2024
I love her style, I’ll be going back through her older books.
May 5, 2024
So wise, so acerbic, so funny. I love her.
May 12, 2024
Love! It’s all about love. ❤️
June 6, 2024
Anne Lamott’s writing helped to shape my worldview. For years I relied on her stories, ideas, and beliefs about life when I couldn’t understand my own. I’d quote her books to friends, and still teach “Shitty First Drafts” to my seniors. But this book showed me that the version of myself in high school and college that was so touched by Lamott’s musings is gone. I’ve changed and grown once again. This book was ok. But not for me, anymore.
July 31, 2024
As with any collection of essays, I enjoyed some of Anne Lamott’s musings in Somehow more than others. As a whole, however, I found it to be wonderful!
I listened to the audio, read by the author, and I’ll be doing a re-read to mark favorite phrases and passages, probably sooner than later.
Alison’s Summer Reading 2024 19/33
I listened to the audio, read by the author, and I’ll be doing a re-read to mark favorite phrases and passages, probably sooner than later.
Alison’s Summer Reading 2024 19/33
June 21, 2024
I recently saw Lamott interviewed through the Chicago Humanities Festival and I immediately thought this lady is a “kook.” When I wasn’t laughing I heard her wisdom shine through. This is the first book I picked up by her - she’s written 12 non-fiction and 7 fiction novels. This won’t be the last I read by her.
Inspirational, heart breaking and funny essays/short stories around the theme of love.
“I’ll try to show them the endless ways to a lasting relationship with love. Story, song, nature, silence, eating together, helping others out, letting others help me. Life 101. “
“Horribly, our kids still do not seem to want our help and excellent advice. We frequently have to remind each other of the acronym WAIT - Why Am I Talking?”
“80% of any meeting or gathering might be stupid and beneath you, but the other 20% will save you: it will open up your brain and expand your life and give you connection, a place in the family of man. And this is salvation.”
Inspirational, heart breaking and funny essays/short stories around the theme of love.
“I’ll try to show them the endless ways to a lasting relationship with love. Story, song, nature, silence, eating together, helping others out, letting others help me. Life 101. “
“Horribly, our kids still do not seem to want our help and excellent advice. We frequently have to remind each other of the acronym WAIT - Why Am I Talking?”
“80% of any meeting or gathering might be stupid and beneath you, but the other 20% will save you: it will open up your brain and expand your life and give you connection, a place in the family of man. And this is salvation.”
May 23, 2024
Sometimes I wish Anne Lamott would wait and write a collection of her lovely thoughts in one longer book like she did in her earlier works, but she rarely disappoints me "somehow. "
I love her spiritual and sometimes snarky symbolism for the things in our world that are so difficult to understand. She always brings it around to love being the thing.
This was a nice refuge to dip into between my fiction reads.
I love her spiritual and sometimes snarky symbolism for the things in our world that are so difficult to understand. She always brings it around to love being the thing.
This was a nice refuge to dip into between my fiction reads.
June 18, 2024
In Somehow , Anne Lamott reflects on the many ways love shows up in our lives, softening the various pains of being human in a broken world that so often feels harsh and hopeless. These essays take her from a dying friend’s bedside, to an ecstatic Rosh Hashanah beach gathering, to an AA meeting, a vacation in Cuba, and beyond. Whatever places and relationships she’s writing about, Lamott shines a light on the simple magic of being in community and taking care of each other. And she does it through a faith lens, with her irresistible mix of insight and self-deprecating humor.
July 8, 2024
Anne Lamott has a brand to uphold now, that of writing feel-good books with funky Christian wisdom, and this one reads like she's run out of steam. Also, for a person who writes a lot about grace, she seems to have absolutely none for people who vote differently from her.
July 13, 2024
This book was a recommendation and I figured why not? In the end I truly just didn’t enjoy this book. It didn’t feel cohesive to me and I know the title is what it is but I didn’t sense a true message in the book the entire time.
June 1, 2024
Another comforting book by Anne Lamott—especially good as a palate cleanser after the last book I read.
July 27, 2024
Anne Lamott never disappoints. Her books are like sitting with a good friend, talking about what's really important in life, and getting a renewed and positive perspective, while still being able to commiserate about the annoying stuff and be a teeny bit judgy. :)
April 26, 2024
Wonderful reminders by a wise voice. The epilogue is everything!
July 9, 2024
Quick read. Great thoughts on life.
May 7, 2024
I am an Annie Lamott fan
May 13, 2024
anne lamott you will probably always be my favorite author. a timely read during a bout of cynicism. i simply wish it were longer <3
QOTB: “if i stop to listen, i will hear hope. i hear it in nature, in singing, in stories of goodness, in the saddest places, in celebration, but maybe most often in gently absurd stories of love”.
QOTB: “if i stop to listen, i will hear hope. i hear it in nature, in singing, in stories of goodness, in the saddest places, in celebration, but maybe most often in gently absurd stories of love”.
Read
June 19, 2024There’s a simple innocence to the rhetoric that sometimes feels a bit naïve, but maybe it’s the kind of innocence we all need.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 469 reviews