Traveling Mercies

Some Thoughts on Faith

By: Anne Lamott

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

From the bestselling author of Operating Instructions and Bird by Bird comes a chronicle of faith and spirituality that is at once tough, personal, affectionate, wise and very funny.

With an exuberant mix of passion, insight, and humor, Anne Lamott takes us on a journey through her often troubled past to illuminate her devout but quirky walk of faith. In a narrative spiced with stories and scripture, with diatribes, laughter, and tears, Lamott tells how, against all odds, she came to believe in God and then, even more miraculously, in herself. She shows us the myriad ways in which this sustains and guides her, shining the light of faith on the darkest part of ordinary life and exposing surprising pockets of meaning and hope.

Whether writing about her family or her dreadlocks, sick children or old friends, the most religious women of her church of the men she's dated, Lamott reveals the hard-won wisdom gathered along her path to connectedness and liberation.

Critic reviews

"Anne Lamott is a cause for celebration. [Her] real genius lies in capturing the ineffable, describing not perfect moments, but imperfect ones. . . perfectly. She is nothing short of miraculous." --The New Yorker

"[She is] sidesplittingly funny, patiently wise, and alternately cranky and kind." --Seattle Times

"Lamott writes about subjects that begin with capital letters (Alcoholism, Motherhood, Jesus). But armed with self-effacing humor and ruthless honesty--call it a lower-case approach to life's Big Questions--she converts potential op-ed biolerplate into enlightenment." --Newsweek

"Smart, funny, comforting. . . Lamott has a conversational style that perfectly conveys her friendly, self-deprecating humor."
--Los Angeles Times Book Review

"Eloquent, detailed, emotionally honest. . . Lamott deserves praise for telling it like it is." --People

Beautifully written, beautifully narrated

I loved this book- so softly, dryly funny. Felt compelled to review because the narrator did such an amazing job- usually I am disappointed when the author is not the narrator but she did such a good job it felt like listening to an Oscar winning performance. Bravo to all involved!

Excellent book!

This is my first Ann Lamott book, but it won’t be my last. Funny, profound, comforting - it’s like spending time with a close friend.

Truly beautiful

It's the first time I've read anything by Anne Lamott. I'm so glad I did.
She brilliantly delivers her unsugar-coated understanding of faith and life.
I'll be purchasing the hardcopy, too.

So so good

This was my first experience with Anne Lamott and my goodness I am hooked. As a father of two little boys, the stories she shared about Sam absolutely rocked me and comforted me at the same time. Also, I find Anne’s faith journey so refreshing and real. Man, this book was just so so good.

Always Mind and Soul Shifting

Anne remains one of my favorite writers because she comes to each story with a disarming honesty that makes you feel either startled or thoroughly amused. This book does both for me and I'm still laughing thinking about some chapters. The airplane episode is hysterical. Go get this. Loved it!