The Must-Read Book Club
Anne Taylor: My first encounter with Anne Lamott was approximately 14 years ago when I was visiting a friend and perusing his bookshelves as a way to pass the time. The book was a termination gift from my friend's former therapist. My friend never read the book, but shortly after I opened it, I felt like I was immersed in a conversation with a charismatic and outrageously witty friend who had plumbed the depths of the human condition and arose victorious to share her treasure trove of stories. Stories which made me laugh and cry in equal measure.
YCNYC: Favorite quote?
AT: "My mind is a dangerous neighborhood I try not to go into alone."
YCNYC: What one person would you recommend this book to?
AT: I would recommend this book to anyone who has lived a life outside the lines and looking for a brilliant but accessible guide to help them make sense of their choices. Lamott reminds her audience that whatever path they choose, an underpinning of spirituality will make the journey infinitely more rewarding.
YCNC: What moment or part resonates with you the most?
AT: Lamott presents her stories like a beautiful home cooked meal; each ingredient is selected with care to make for a truly satisfying repast . The message of the book is simple and clear. Life is complex and we are imperfect at best, so we must savor and celebrate our uniqueness.
"When a lot of things start going wrong all at once, it is to protect something big and lovely that is trying to get itself born - and that this something needs for you to be distracted so that it can be born as perfectly as possible."
This has served as a framework to help me understand adversity in a way that inspires resilience and hope and a deeper sense of purpose. I just love this way of addressing the obstacles of life. If we can just be patient and understand that all is not what it seems, we can relinquish our need for control and be open to the bigger opportunities that are waiting to manifest.
You can purchase Traveling Mercies: Thoughts On Faith here.
Have a Must-Read book to recommend? Email us here.
