Anne Lamott author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, sous licence CC BY-SA 3.0.

Anne Lamott

Né(e): April 10, 1954 – San Francisco, California, United States

Anne Lamott is an American novelist, memoirist, and essayist renowned for her candid, often humorous explorations of topics including faith, addiction, motherhood, and personal transformation. Best known for the bestselling writing guide Bird by Bird and memoir Operating Instructions, Lamott’s works have achieved national acclaim, earning her a Guggenheim Fellowship and induction into the California Hall of Fame.

Biographie et Parcours de l'Auteur

Anne Lamott, born April 10, 1954, in San Francisco, grew up in Marin County under the influence of her father, Kenneth Lamott, himself a noted writer. Early exposure to literature and earnest encouragement at home fast-tracked her passion for the written word, but her young adulthood was marked by turbulence. Lamott attended Drew School and spent two years at Goucher College, contributing to the student newspaper before she left to pursue writing full-time. Her twenties and thirties brought struggles with substance abuse, eating disorders, and eventual single motherhood—a personal crucible that would later provide both the material and the empathetic voice that define her work.

Afficher Plus

Citations

quote
Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere
-Bird by Bird
quote
You will lose someone you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved
-Bird by Bird
quote
Forgiveness is giving up all hope of having had a better past
-Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
quote
I do not understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us
-Hallelujah Anyway
quote
Gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior. It almost always makes you willing to be of service, which is where the joy resides
-Help, Thanks, Wow
quote
Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are
-Bird by Bird
quote
Rest and laughter are the most spiritual and subversive acts of all. Laugh, rest, slow down
-Bird by Bird
quote
When we are stunned to the place beyond words, we’re finally starting to get somewhere… when an aspect of life takes us away from being able to chip away at something until it’s down to a manageable size and then to file it nicely away, when all we can say in response is ‘Wow,’ that’s a prayer
-Help, Thanks, Wow
quote
Gorgeous, amazing things come into our lives when we are paying attention: mangoes, grandnieces, Bach, ponds. This happens more often when we have as little expectation as possible
-Bird by Bird
quote
We begin to find and become ourselves when we notice how we are already found, already truly, entirely, wildly, messily, marvelously who we were born to be
-Bird by Bird

Livres Populaires

Découvrir plus

Books Recommended by Ann Patchett
LIVRES

Books Recommended by Ann Patchett

Explore Ann Patchett’s most recommended books—literary novels and memoirs that capture human connection, resilience, and the art of storytelling.

Équipe BeFreed

The Best Autobiography Books
LIVRES

The Best Autobiography Books

Step into extraordinary lives with top autobiographies—true stories of vision, hardship, and legacy from those who lived it.

Équipe BeFreed

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
LIVRES

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Explore Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books on feminism, identity, and race, including We Should All Be Feminists and Americanah.

Équipe BeFreed

Explore Bio, Memoir, Inspiration & Creativity
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Explore Bio, Memoir, Inspiration & Creativity

This plan is essential for aspiring writers and individuals seeking to unlock their creative potential through the lens of lived experience. It bridges the gap between studying great lives and mastering the practical craft of personal storytelling for a more purposeful life.

2 h 22 m4 Sections
Habits, Mindfulness, Creativity & Memoirs
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Habits, Mindfulness, Creativity & Memoirs

This learning plan is essential for individuals seeking to bridge the gap between mental discipline and creative expression. It is ideal for writers, professionals, and lifelong learners who want to master their habits while finding a deeper voice through personal storytelling.

2 h 25 m4 Sections
Bio, Memoir, Mental Health & Self-Growth
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Bio, Memoir, Mental Health & Self-Growth

This learning plan is designed for individuals seeking to bridge the gap between self-reflection and actionable personal development. It is ideal for writers, mental health advocates, or anyone looking to heal their past while building a resilient, purpose-driven future.

2 h 31 m4 Sections
Live fully, speak up, read
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Live fully, speak up, read

This learning plan is designed for individuals who feel disconnected from their authentic selves and struggle to express their true thoughts and feelings. It's ideal for people-pleasers, those who avoid difficult conversations, and anyone seeking to live more intentionally while developing a richer intellectual and emotional life through meaningful reading.

1 h 57 m4 Sections
Learning to be a Arthur of story and novels
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Learning to be a Arthur of story and novels

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between creative inspiration and professional execution for aspiring novelists. It is designed for writers who want to master both the artistic craft of storytelling and the practical realities of the modern publishing world.

1 h 39 m4 Sections

Voix de la Communauté

"Anne Lamott's books are filled with honesty, humor, and humanity, making every page feel like talking with a close friend"

Penguin Random House

"Anne Lamott’s first book in the Rosie series is praised as an extraordinary debut from a critically acclaimed writer"

Book Series in Order

"Anne Lamott’s novels blend humor and honesty, illuminating the joys and sorrows of everyday living"

Book Series in Order

"Anne Lamott presents a biting wit and self-pity-free look at life's tougher trials in both her novels and nonfiction"

ThriftBooks

"Anne Lamott is the author of twenty books and has received a Guggenheim Fellowship and induction into the California Hall of Fame"

Penguin Random House

"Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird remains a widely-recommended classic among writers and writing teachers"

Most Recommended Books

"Anne Lamott is beloved by millions of readers for her trademark clarity and profound inspiration"

The ReadDown

"Anne Lamott's non-fiction works are largely autobiographical and based in the San Francisco Bay Area"

Goodreads

FAQ sur cette page

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Commencez votre parcours d'apprentissage, maintenant