Rosie was a good book. It was a bit like a Quindlen in that it dealt with simple characters, but harder hitting. Thankfully, it lacked Quindlen's horrible eight page conclusion, and simply faded out on a happy scene. All in all, I think that Bird by Bird and Traveling Mercies were much better books. Rosie was good, but lacked bite.
This book takes you through Rosie's young life, and forces you to roll your eyes at her weak, self indulgent, totally irritating mother. Uncharactaristically, Lamott allows a molestation to be solved by a letter to the Child Protection Agency, seemingly erasing the memory and repercussions from Rosie's young mind forever.
I have to say some of the antics are humorous, and Rae is a colorful and wonderful woman. However, if you want this story but ten times better, read Lamott's non fiction.

Fabulous read- a truly wonderful book. Here we find Elizabeth, attempting to be the best mother she can be -while under the influence, and Rosie, a character not to be reckoned with. A sprite she is at all her five years!Rosie reconstructs the family she's longed for, and in doing so cures her mother of alcoholism. Good Job! Quirky, personal, and poignant all describe the work of Anne Lamott. Read this-you won't be dissappoined.

feh to the armchair psychiatrists...ROSIE was just as absorbing and real as any of Lamott's work. It seems as though people bring a bulging satchel of unrelated subtext to these reviews...so I will stick to the book at hand. Lamott's characters as always are people you feel live next door, and that you would not run if you saw coming. Rae for example is almost exactly like my late stepmother; I would give anything to meet her and let her sly humor into my life....which is what I did when I read ROSIE. I guess I've read it two or there times, and each time I revel in its treasures.....the unlikely and gritty love story, the alcoholic dilemmas which Lamott faces square on, not sparing us the ghastly details. it made me want to drink less and like myself more, ROSIE. some books are equally well written but make one want to cataopult oneself from a tall building. Lamott's work is life-affirming, funny, and tangibly human. Thank you, Annie. The only thing sloppy about this book is the praise I feel: for that I do apologize. You deserve a more dignified fan, instead I jump up and down, waving chocolate.

This is a great book, that is doubly-powerful (no TRIPLY, no QUADRUPALLY powerful!) because so many inspiring thinkers are in it: from Deepak Chopra to Neale Donald Walsch, from James Redfield to Anne Lamott. And these thinkers come from all sectors of society: from John Robbins, a whistle-blower of the food industry, to the actor Peter Coyote; from Eric Utne, founder of the Utne Reader, to educator Dee Dickenson. What Marianne Williamson has assembled is a collection of ideas covering all sectors of society representing the viewpoints of very unique individuals each with differing backgrounds. And the beauty of this diversity is that all the contributors are unified in fundamental ways, all visualizing a more accepting, more loving, more grounded future that can truly celebrate the individual. It is a vision of what can WORK given our true natures, and given the tuggings of our soul for a more love-based world. Everyone in the world ought to read this book! If you're skeptical, go ahead and buy it and try it out. You'll be glad you did, even if it provides fodder for a time for all the reasons you dislike new-agey spiritual types. And for all of you who like me are already new-agey spiritual types, or compassionate open-hearted types, go ahead and check this book out, because you're going to love it!

For anyone who, like me, has gobbled up the works of writers like Deepak Chopra, Neale Donald Walsch, Thomas Moore, Caroline Myss, James Redfield and Barbara Marx Hubbard, this book is a must read. It includes essays by each of these authors and many more of equal stature. In the essays, the writers take the ideas and principles they have developed over the years and apply them in answering the question: "In the realm of highest possibilities, what could America look like in 50 years?" The result is a comprehensive, readable, light-filled blueprint for America's future. Some of the essays are poetic, lyrical. Others are grounded in hard hitting facts and statistics that will blow your mind. (See Paul Hawken's essay) Make no mistake. These are not airy-fairy essays recycling the previous works of these writers. They are clear, disciplined, thoughtful responses to the question posed. In fact, I believe the essays in "Imagine" may very well be the best work of many of these writers. I was blown away by what they delivered in this volume. Hats off to the editor, Marianne Williamson for assembling this phenomenal group of writers and for her skill in weaving these beautiful essays together.

With all the unrest in our world today such as the challenges in health care, education and politics, this book comes along and gives hope for a great future. It's time for a paradigm shift and this book is written to show us new ways of thinking about our culture. Some of our greatest contemporary writers and teachers contribute their wisdom in this great book. Thank you Marianne Williamson for having the vision to put together this inspiring book!

While Anne Lamott remains one of my very favorite authors, All New People isn't really that great. The characters are unmemorable and the story line fuzzy. With the exception of the hilarious enormous nostril, this book isn't nearly as funny as Hard Laughter or Operating Instructions. If you haven't read any Anne Lamott, try one of those, or Bird by Bird to really appreciate her talents.

Anne Lamott is an incredible essayist; her witty observations and naked divulgences make me want to call her up and ask her to be my best friend. I am, therefore, sad to admit that I don't feel fiction is the best mode for her to showcase her talent. In general, I feel her plots are often somewhat weak and her characterizations are uneven. However, I think she hits the mark more in All New People than in any of her other novels that I have, as yet, read. She remembers so clearly how she felt as a teenager, and expresses it in a wonderfully readable, and sometimes hilarious, way. The entire family was well-drawn in this book, particularly the relationship between the brother and sister. I could relate to a lot of it, and have already re-read it once.

I think that Anne Lamott is one of the most amazing writers of our time! I have read everything she has ever written, both fiction and non-fiction and have always eagerly awaited her next book! I only wish that Oprah would discover her and then the rest of the world can find out what they have been missing! I know Anne has a devoted, loyal following but she deserves to be a best-selling author! All New People was the first book of Anne's that I read and I discovered it completely by accident when I picked it up in the bookstore one day. Her characters are so real and funny and ALL of her books ALWAYS make me laugh and cry! I feel as if I know her characters and her as well. I have recommended her books to all the readers I know and I hope EVERYONE reads her books someday! Anne,your books are wonderful !

I had just read my first book from this author entitled "All new people" and had loved it when I picked this book up. I hated it. I didn't even finish it. I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing much ever did. I kept reading it thinking that even if nothing happened I would get involved with the characters and cherish the description of their everyday lives but that didn't happen. The writing was just too abstract and.... weird. The characters had some off-kilter characteristics about them that should have been lovable but I just didn't find endearing. Things weren't explained that should have been explained and things that I didn't care about were expanded upon. I was very disappointed since I loved the first book of hers that I had read but I will read others from this author to see if this is the exception or the rule. Overall, an extremely tough book to even start, much less finish.

I disagree with the reviewer who suggested reading this by way of the library, just to complete your Anne collection. This is a wonderful piece of work. It is driven by imperfection, which is a language we understand. I adore this story and the characters in it

Anne Lamott writes from a need to create a safe space, and her characters give the reader that haven. By turns gentle and hilarious, Joe Jones is a true portrait of a community of friends and a meditation on what friends can do out of love. This book shines and begs to be in print again. Read it!

I didn't find the characters so hateful, but I did think the plot meandered to the point where I was surprised when the book ended. nothing gets resolved, it just ends. mattie's final decision regarding daniel is really baffling. and the final foot-washing thing was really over the top.

also as is common in anne lamott books, there is a lot of praying and good-hearted people smiling warmly/shyly at each other. Which is nice in a way but also getting a little old.

I am a big fan of Anne Lamott, though I agree with several reviewers here that her nonfiction is far superior to her fiction, most of which I've found to be worth reading once, but not worth keeping on my bookshelf.
Blue Shoe is probably my least favorite of Lamott's books that I have read. I did enjoy the honesty of her characterization of Mattie--the fact that she thinks one thing and does another and that she sometimes has truly wicked thoughts. That honesty is refreshing in a world where precious few Christian writers allow their Christian characters to do--or even think--something inappropriate. (If you don't believe me, head to your local Christian bookstore and pick out a few of their top sellers--talk about preachy and unrealistic.)
That said, I still felt that Mattie never lets her faith really change her. Her self-absorption grows wearying throughout the book. The only indication that time has even passed is the fact that her kids have grown older and seasons have come and gone. Mattie herself never seems to grow or learn or develop. I don't mind "slice of life" types of books that just show characters where they are at a particular time, but over a period of years, as depicted in this book, I would expect a character to show some signs of growing and changing.
Though Blue Shoe is perhaps Lamott's weakest effort to date, it is worth reading if you're already a fan, but I would suggest starting with her nonfiction (especially Traveling Mercies or her Salon.com columns) if you're just looking for an introduction to her work.

Lamott has once again translated potential heartbreak into a spiritual experience that defies the mere flesh. There is so much to love about this book. She hits the nail in the head when Mattie analyzes her parents' marriage. Did she follow her mother's pattern when she married her philandering husband? It's hard not to connect with a book that touches on familial love and reality during crisis in a way that captivates all who have watched a loved one, or parent, suffer the cruel and senseless blows of a failed relationship. Her signature poignancy cannot be missed.

As always, I find her styling and characters superb in their authenticity -- she once again demonstrates an unerring voice for dialogue and transmits emotion into a funny, moving account. Even though this isn't as memorable as Traveling Mercies and Crooked Little Heart, Anne Lamott hasn't lost her keen observations and ability to convey the same. If you liked any of her previous books, I guarantee this will not be a disappointment...

I don't usually write reviews, but I think buyers should be aware that this recording has little to do with Lamott's very good book, 'Bird by Bird'. These tapes are self-help tapes, like Julia Cameron's stuff. I was disappointed and a little bit annoyed. The box even says 'Writer's Audio Shop' on the front--very misleading. I say read the bird book and pass on these supposed 'word' lectures. Sorry Anne.

2% writing advice, 98% self absorption and psycho-babble. If your primary interest is self help for the compulsive, addicted etc. - this is the book for you; if you are looking for writing advice try John Gardner.

Listening to anne lamott lecture is like taking a refreshing cool bath on the hottest day of the year; it quenches the soul. Additionally, her wonderfully gritty voice doles out practical writing advice with sturdy handles, the kind you literally cannot get from any oridinary seminar. Much of this tape is subsumed within her bestselling book, Bird By Bird, yet there is plenty that is unique to Word By Word to make it well worth the price; not the least of which is hearing the poem which Anne's dog Sadie wrote to her, wherein Sadie ponders the question: 'Should she (the author) really be driving?' Hilarious and poignant as ever, Lamott mixes up wry asides with text from her writing manual, and makes everything difficult seem worth undertaking. All in all, a generous illumination and expansion of several classic Lamott topics; hearing her say it in her own words brings it crackling to life. Writing is hard work, but with Anne at your side, it's a shared journey.