Somehow

Thoughts on Love

By: Anne Lamott

Narrated by: Anne Lamott

Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

“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 Somehow: Thoughts on Love, Lamott explores the transformative power that love has in our lives: 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, Somehow is classic Anne Lamott: funny, warm, and wise.

©2024 Anne Lamott (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Lamott brings her signature wit and warmth to these effervescent meditations on matters of the heart. . . . A topic that might feel trite in the hands of a lesser writer takes on fresh meaning in Lamott’s, thanks to her ability to distill complex truths with a deceptive lightness. This rings true.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Lamott senses love in myriad ways. . . . Her innate honesty allows her to share her vulnerabilities and laugh at her own sometimes over-the-top attempts to find and share love. . . . But it is all done with such clarity, feeling, and goodness that readers will find themselves laughing out loud and fighting back tears. Ultimately, this is a testimony to love and hope in an often painful world. Lamott’s many readers are loyal, and this will be an easy sell. But pass it on, too, to people who may not even realize that they are searching for ways to connect with and love others.”—Booklist (starred review)

“In this book, [Lamott] focuses less on vengeful thinking for comic effect and more on the joys of smelling the roses. . . . As always, a strong vein of spirituality runs throughout, with Lamott’s characteristic descriptions of an all-loving God who is often flummoxed and saddened by humanity, but hopeful anyway. . . . [This] is a kind view of loving oneself and others despite our collective imperfections.”—Kirkus

“Beloved and best-selling author Lamott offers a joyful, feel-good read that explores the power of love—romantic, platonic, and familial—in people’s lives, with her usual grace, humor, and insight.” —Library Journal"

Just what we all need now

I wish I could tell Anne how much I loved this book. It really spoke to me. Serendipity that I found it now. Listen and see what it has to offer you.

Nice update with clever narrative

I don’t love her voice but I have gotten used to it. The way she writes is always captivating.

Love Anne!

I liked everything. Going to listen to her again. We are soul sisters ! She is authentic

Annie has the insights the world needs to hear and she delivers them with humor and gentle compassion. Loved it!

I loved it from page one. (Amazon should not have a 15 word minimum for reviews. Let me be.)

Exactly what I needed to hear

It was a wonderful reminder of what it requires to be a "Good Human" and not a perfect one. The authors words soothed my heart and my soul and reminded me that its okay if Love, Family and Faith looks different these days its the work we are willing to put into it.

Filled with love and hope

This book was very pleasant and easy to listen to and it soothed my soul. I love listening to this author in particular read her words to me. She always helps me think of more things to feel grateful about and so many beautiful things in life to ponder and wonder about.

Poignant, real, funny... relatable.

I wasn't going to read it since I've read most of her other works. Thankful that I purchased it! Inspiring, relatable and new.

Amazing read

Love Anne’s wit, heart and honesty. Great read, thoroughly enjoyed. She has a heart that is a mile wide, appreciate that about her.

I always enjoy

I enjoy all Anne Lamott’s books. She is poetic and humorous. I had to laugh when she said “moi”. My brother, sisters and I use to say that in jest when we were young. Such a fun and inspiring listen. And a very refreshing point of view.
I love that she is the narrator. What could be better than hearing from the author herself. Brava!

Her wisdom is embracing, wry, funny, profound.

LaMott’s writing centers on her own stories of childhood, faith and the struggle to remain sober. Very little new in this book, lots of retelling of already well worn material yet it is uplifting and worth the time and expense to listen again.