Book Review: Small Victories by Anne Lamott

I have extreme ups and downs when it comes to my views on books by Anne Lamott. I either love them or I hate them. There’s not much in between. Honestly, I think Lamott would like that her writing doesn’t elicit mediocre emotions. Who wants that?

Unfortunately, Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace was a low for me, Lamott-wise. The book is a series of essays on life and how our perceptions rule our perspectives and actions.

The book’s concept is solid, I just didn’t care for it. It was a bit too political and religious for me and just drug on with too many stories about people dying. I was ready to finish it.

Don’t get me wrong, there were high points. Like Lamott’s story about a bicycle short wearing Mom of her son’s classmate who she just didn’t like. This story yielded my favorite quote of the book:

I thought things about her that, if spoke out loud, would make Jesus want to drink gin from a dog dish. So, I kept those things to myself.”

I’m pretty sure every woman in the world has felt this way at least once. We’re catty like that.

Lamott is a wonderful writer. If the book’s description strikes you, I’d go ahead and read it. If not, skip this one and move on.

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