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Somehow: Thoughts on Love
“Anne Lamott is my Oprah.” — Chicago Tribune
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.
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.
204 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2024
About the author
Anne Lamott
73 books9,386 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 190 reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
May 11, 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.
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.
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.
April 26, 2024
Wonderful reminders by a wise voice. The epilogue is everything!
Read
May 2, 2024A rambling book of gibberish. I couldn't finish it. Again- Gretchen Rubin recommended it and it stinks.
May 12, 2024
Love! It’s all about love. ❤️
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”.
April 12, 2024
Anne Lamott back again. Reminding me of her old works of writing i used to read in college. I personally enjoyed how familiar this book read and read it in one sitting, because i love her storytelling that much. You definitely know what you’re in store for with her essays: her laughable, spiritual humor alongside her poignant but simple look at love in the face.
pages of underlined words from her - but here are a few:
“do i want to be right? or have a loving heart.
will this be on the test?” - Anne Lamott
“Love abounds and abides, flirts and weeps with us. it is there for the asking - which this the easy part. Our life’s toughest work is in the receiving.”
- anne lamott
“good ole love. allusive and steadfast, fragile and unbreakable and always there for the asking. always, somehow.” - Anne Lamott
pages of underlined words from her - but here are a few:
“do i want to be right? or have a loving heart.
will this be on the test?” - Anne Lamott
“Love abounds and abides, flirts and weeps with us. it is there for the asking - which this the easy part. Our life’s toughest work is in the receiving.”
- anne lamott
“good ole love. allusive and steadfast, fragile and unbreakable and always there for the asking. always, somehow.” - Anne Lamott
April 10, 2024
One of my favorite authors-this wasn’t my favorite of her books, but it was still very very good. Anne Lamott is a master of words!
May 10, 2024
queen anne did it again. she brought her signature wit and warmth and wisdom packaged in a pretty punchy gem of a book that made me laugh and cry and highlight a bajillion passages and just feel so glad i’m alive at the same time she is. the way that woman wraps words around what it mean ms to be human is unlike any other!!! a GIFT. a spunky, sassy, stunning, sharp gift. i love her so much.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— amazing. (as per usual.) and thanks to @bookshelftville for my signed copy! 🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— amazing. (as per usual.) and thanks to @bookshelftville for my signed copy! 🥰
March 23, 2024
I love Anne Lamott's stream of conscience writing style that blends her personal life stories with life lessons. My favorite books have been "Thanks, Help, Wow" and "Bird by Bird".
The first chapters of "Somehow" were not clearly and strongly connected to the theme of love but the last few chapters left me in tears at multiple points. The chapter on attics, and the mementos of love and life we keep, was particularly powerful for me.
The love she focuses on is not romantic love or eros, but more the community and friendship love of philia - a deep, meaningful love in its own right.
(Received advanced copy from Goodreads.)
The first chapters of "Somehow" were not clearly and strongly connected to the theme of love but the last few chapters left me in tears at multiple points. The chapter on attics, and the mementos of love and life we keep, was particularly powerful for me.
The love she focuses on is not romantic love or eros, but more the community and friendship love of philia - a deep, meaningful love in its own right.
(Received advanced copy from Goodreads.)
January 29, 2024
Somehow by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott has always amazed me with her willingness to bare her soul and just pour her heart out to her readers. Years ago (the 80s, maybe?) she used to come to our local bookstore (Capitola Book Cafe) and do readings. Those events were magic! And I have such great memories of her fiction (especially All New People and Rosie) and the tons of people who came through the doors of the public library where I worked who came back to thank me for recommending her books. So I was more than happy to get a copy of her latest book, Somehow, from Penguin Group Riverhead and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Somehow is all about love which is, according to AL, in all of us, and is central to our very being. She examines various kinds of love, including finding a partner/soulmate in later life as well as the deep love for one’s children. And along the way she throws in some spiritual/religious mentions without being preachy about it. Very enjoyable. Not my favorite of hers, not even in my top five, but well worth reading. Four stars.
Anne Lamott has always amazed me with her willingness to bare her soul and just pour her heart out to her readers. Years ago (the 80s, maybe?) she used to come to our local bookstore (Capitola Book Cafe) and do readings. Those events were magic! And I have such great memories of her fiction (especially All New People and Rosie) and the tons of people who came through the doors of the public library where I worked who came back to thank me for recommending her books. So I was more than happy to get a copy of her latest book, Somehow, from Penguin Group Riverhead and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Somehow is all about love which is, according to AL, in all of us, and is central to our very being. She examines various kinds of love, including finding a partner/soulmate in later life as well as the deep love for one’s children. And along the way she throws in some spiritual/religious mentions without being preachy about it. Very enjoyable. Not my favorite of hers, not even in my top five, but well worth reading. Four stars.
May 8, 2024
”Good old love . . . elusive and steadfast, fragile and unbreakable, and always there for the asking, always, somehow.
“Be goodness with skin on.”
“God can never tell you not to love someone; God only tell you to do a better job of loving someone.”
“Grief is love that is homeless.”
“Love is why we have hope.”
“Love gives us a shot at becoming the person we were born to be, not the charming actor or bodyguard we became; not us on our tightropes, holding our breaths, as we strive for greatness, or, at any rate, not falling on our butts.”
Anne Lamott has a gift for aphorisms and clever analogies, but she sometimes has a weakness for them, too. I gratefully receive it all - even when a tad cutesy or clunky - because her “message” is meaningful to me and her warm humour and self-deprecating ownership of her flawed nature endears her to me.
This is her latest work - a series of stories, anecdotes, musings and riffs on the nature and importance of love. As always, her writing is inextricably connected to her religious faith. You don’t have to be “religious” to enjoy or derive meaning from her words, though. You just have to believe in the positive emotions: love, hope, joy, forgiveness, compassion, faith, awe and gratitude.
“Be goodness with skin on.”
“God can never tell you not to love someone; God only tell you to do a better job of loving someone.”
“Grief is love that is homeless.”
“Love is why we have hope.”
“Love gives us a shot at becoming the person we were born to be, not the charming actor or bodyguard we became; not us on our tightropes, holding our breaths, as we strive for greatness, or, at any rate, not falling on our butts.”
Anne Lamott has a gift for aphorisms and clever analogies, but she sometimes has a weakness for them, too. I gratefully receive it all - even when a tad cutesy or clunky - because her “message” is meaningful to me and her warm humour and self-deprecating ownership of her flawed nature endears her to me.
This is her latest work - a series of stories, anecdotes, musings and riffs on the nature and importance of love. As always, her writing is inextricably connected to her religious faith. You don’t have to be “religious” to enjoy or derive meaning from her words, though. You just have to believe in the positive emotions: love, hope, joy, forgiveness, compassion, faith, awe and gratitude.
May 8, 2024
This was a quick easy read. I had a lot of thoughts going through my head while listening to it. Yes, she is a very liberal Christian, but is liberal a dirty word? To some I would say it is …and while I am not in 100% alignment with her, I do believe that there is a lot of value in listening to where she is coming from. The one chapter I really enjoyed listening to was when the group from church got together to reach out and love their community better. They came together for meetings, and the pastor kept pointing out to them that they had great ideas, but they were coming from places of anger and hostility. The pastor encouraged them to all to pray and regroup. This took three attempts, and the end result was a much smaller group, with a great focus on loving others like Jesus.
Another random thought I had while listening to her was she sounds a lot like a Taylor Swift song in that she shares all that is rattling around in her head on paper. Not necessarily to music, but you get the gist.
Another random thought I had while listening to her was she sounds a lot like a Taylor Swift song in that she shares all that is rattling around in her head on paper. Not necessarily to music, but you get the gist.
May 7, 2024
Read while visiting my parents in Georgia, and my attention span is broken while I'm in this climate. It's a miracle I was able to read a book this week.
The best essay is "Hinges" and I want to use the same framework except I'll use windows in the houses where I've lived. The I loved this quote:
"Hinges: that word lives inside me. A hinge both fixes something in place and helps it open. It's ingenious. A hinge has the feeling for me of a book opening, welcoming me in, closing a while later with a soft sigh. Without a hinge, doors can't swing."
The best essay is "Hinges" and I want to use the same framework except I'll use windows in the houses where I've lived. The I loved this quote:
"Hinges: that word lives inside me. A hinge both fixes something in place and helps it open. It's ingenious. A hinge has the feeling for me of a book opening, welcoming me in, closing a while later with a soft sigh. Without a hinge, doors can't swing."
May 10, 2024
I kept reading this book until I found what I needed. Lamont is a God follower, and while I appreciate her insight, she has a lot of dark experiences that I just don’t want to read and reflect over. She introduced to me the acronym - WAIT (why am I talking)? Bingo.
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March 24, 2024SVWC 7/24
Release late April
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Release late April
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April 14, 2024
She’s such a gifted writer. I got to see her last night in San Francisco being interviewed.
April 25, 2024
Pure Lamott brilliant ramblings. So good.
May 8, 2024
Vintage Anne Lamott. A little older, still honest, occasionally exasperating, and always reminding us that the small things we do to care for one another matter quite a lot. It’s a message we can’t hear enough.
Towards the end of the book, she retells the story of the sparrow, lying on its back in the road trying to help hold back the darkness. Why? One does what one can, says the sparrow.
Towards the end of the book, she retells the story of the sparrow, lying on its back in the road trying to help hold back the darkness. Why? One does what one can, says the sparrow.
February 24, 2024
First a big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the DRC.
You can never go wrong with Anne Lamott. She is truly a delight to read. Each chapter is a slice of her life, her thoughts, her experiences and most importantly her growth as a human. She shows the reader all of her insecurities, followed by the paths she takes to learn and mature.
If you are a regular reader of Lamott's work, parts of "Somehow" will feel very familiar, if not a bit repetitive from her previous books. Fortunately she intersperses those moments with new experiences.
One such essay discusses the fallout over her transphobic retweet years after she posted it, It is clear she took ownership of her behavior and learned from it. She eloquently pointed out we are all human, humans err, it is what you do after erring that makes the difference. Our society is far too quick to "cancel" someone, we would be better served learning forgiveness..
Anne Lamott is the neighbor everyone should be and at the same time she's the neighbor everyone should have in their lives. Not perfect but well meaning, thoughtful and full of love.
You can never go wrong with Anne Lamott. She is truly a delight to read. Each chapter is a slice of her life, her thoughts, her experiences and most importantly her growth as a human. She shows the reader all of her insecurities, followed by the paths she takes to learn and mature.
If you are a regular reader of Lamott's work, parts of "Somehow" will feel very familiar, if not a bit repetitive from her previous books. Fortunately she intersperses those moments with new experiences.
One such essay discusses the fallout over her transphobic retweet years after she posted it, It is clear she took ownership of her behavior and learned from it. She eloquently pointed out we are all human, humans err, it is what you do after erring that makes the difference. Our society is far too quick to "cancel" someone, we would be better served learning forgiveness..
Anne Lamott is the neighbor everyone should be and at the same time she's the neighbor everyone should have in their lives. Not perfect but well meaning, thoughtful and full of love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews