I read a lot of information acclaiming this book as a great book for writers, super popular, five stars–so I decided to check it out from my local library and read it. While in the process of reading it, I started hearing more negative reviews about it–it’s depressing, it barely talks about writing, it’s discouraging.

Honestly, I would agree with both.

To me, Bird By Bird is a book about Anne Lamott’s experiences; growing up as the daughter of a writer, becoming a writer, and teaching about writing. It didn’t feel like a writing help book– there weren’t easily defined tips on how to make a great outline, or how to make a stellar character, or the best way to go about publishing.

Bird By Bird felt more like a diary of all her thoughts on writing–organized in an interesting, playful way, if not pessimistic. Countless times throughout the book, she describes the process of writing nothing at all like the glorious experience people pan it out to be–instead, she speaks of the reality. The hardships of redrafting, and hating your novel, and thinking about how trashy the entire thing must be, and the release isn’t a glorious occasion like all your dreams–it’s just another day on a calendar.

And while Lamott isn’t technically wrong about all this… personally, I wouldn’t recommend this to new writers. It’s honestly a discouraging read. It talks a lot about the hard realities of writing, but Lamott doesn’t touch on the beautiful parts of writing. The creativity, walking through the city and finding bits of inspiration, wonderful sentences. She spends a lot of time lamenting over her friends’ successes and dealing with hatred for their “over-excitement” and feeling less than just because her work isn’t doing as well in that moment. And sure, that’s something that happens. But I don’t feel like that should be our focus as writers. Instead of lamenting about other’s wins and our losses, we should be embracing each other, and lifting each other up, and celebrating all the wins: whether we win, or lose, ourselves.

For new writers, who already tend to be building up their self-esteem and dealing with imposter syndrome, I don’t think Bird By Bird has the information they need to hear. It’s about the hardships, it’s about the harsh realities, it’s about Lamott’s life; which was interesting to read about, but it didn’t give me a ton of writing insight and it was mostly told in a sarcastic, pessimistic voice. I’d recommend this book for more experienced writers, who won’t get discouraged by harsh information–but for anyone still building up their esteem/trying to keep a positive light on the writing life, I’d steer clear of this.

Lamott does have a few key points in the book I really enjoyed, and some amazing quotes. One of my favorite points of hers was that writing is meant to be real, based off your experiences, with your story and your truths and your emotions front and center. That truth and realness is the very heart of a stunning and important story. She sums it up wonderfully in this ending quote:

“”So why does our writing matter, again?” they ask. Because of the spirit, I say. Because of the heart. Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It’s like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can’t stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship.” – Anne Lamott, Bird By Bird, p. 219-220

And that really is the heart of her book. Bird By Bird is her truths on writing, her experiences, her emotions, front and center. And while I don’t agree with all of her opinions, I respect her take on the process, and it was very interesting to read.

I rate Bird By Bird 4 out of 5 stars, and recommend for any writers interested in the harsh, true reality views of the writing world.

P.S. One of my favorite quotes from this book:

“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”
― Anne Lamott, Bird By Bird, p. 218

Have you read Bird By Bird? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments! I always love to hear about them.

And if you haven’t read Bird By Bird, do you want to?