Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott
Published by Riverhead Books
Publication date: October 16, 2018
Genres: Book Clubs, Essays, inspiration, Non-fiction 
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Anne Lamott’s new book Almost Everything: Notes on Hope is not straight path reading. It’s not her style and I, for one, am grateful for that. But if you looking for succinct advice on how to feel better about the world today, you’ll be frustrated and, maybe, disappointed. She’s a wanderer, but one who always reaches her destination. In this lovely little book, she makes the journey to wisdom with thoughts that amble between things as far-ranging as Cinnabon and Ram Dass. It’s Lamott being Lamott, but what’s not to love about a woman who describes herself as someone who “views death mostly as a significant change of address”?
Almost Everything is a series of essays that cover aging, food, friendship, self-esteem, acceptance, and family, as well as gentle jabs at just why hope feels like a futile endeavor these days. She doesn’t dive into politics, but don’t think she’s not paying attention with what’s happening in America. Rather, she wants to go beyond it. She talks about the toll so much hate takes on all of us. As for the hate we may respond with
…this was satisfying for a time. But it didn’t work as a drug, neither calming nor animating me. There is no beauty or safety in hatred. As a long-term strategy, based on craziness, it’s doomed.
She also shares the secret of her go-to source of joy, what brings her back to life when the world has deadened her. It’s one I know all too well so I loved this passage:
Books! To fling myself into a book, to be carried away to another world while being at my most grounded, on my butt or in my bed or favorite chair, is literally how I have survived being here at all. Someone else is doing the living for me…I get taken out of myself, and I get to salute all the people and experiences I recognize, with surprise and pleasure. “I so get that, but I never found the words. I know her. I am her.”
But just when you’re lulled by her meandering and witty asides, she suddenly stops and probes, asking
Could you say this about yourself right now, that you have immense and intrinsic value…?
She has hard questions about the soft insides we’d often rather ignore. The kind of things that feel a bit uncomfortable because they require introspection. These give Almost Everything the feel of extended time spent with a dear friend we don’t get to see often. The catching up, venting, and laughing have passed and conversation turns to the deep and meaty parts of life. Like that old friend, Lamott brings humorous tranquility with her and time spent with this book is a welcome pleasure.
Do you think I’d like this one? I want to read more of her since reading Bird by Bird and am trying to figure out where to go next. I’m thinking maybe on audio.
I do! She’s not overtly political- I don’t think you’d disagree with any of her concerns. She may be a bit more worried about the world ending than you are, but it’s not annoying. I also think audio- if she’s reading would be marvelous because it would heighten the feel of hanging out with a friend and talking.
Catherine, what a perfectly wonderful way to describe Lamott’s writing. She makes me laugh, and think deeply. I have this one and will be reading it soon.
She charms me. I think she would be a wonderful person to have a drink with- even if she doesn’t drink.
Lovely review! I love Anne Lamott and have read all of her nonfiction besides this one. I’m on the waiting list at the library. I just like to read her Facebook posts sometimes – she always makes me feel better without sugar-coating how awful things can be.
What a great idea! I didn’t know she had a public Facebook page. The book is the same way- acknowledging how bad things are but still trying to find joy in life.
Yes I’m on the library list for this one. Ever since Bird by Bird : I want to read more of her. She has humor and goodness about her. Like it !
Humor and goodness is the perfect way to put it!