Kieran M. (napper) reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book. My second favorite (after Traveling Mercies). A wonderful, sweet, sad, real story about being a single mom unexpectedly. She writes so beautifully about God, alcoholism, motherhood, friends and family. It is just an amazing book!
Angela A. reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent! This is a great book to help you while in the trenches of new motherhood, or to look back after you've made it out. Anne Lamott captures her feeling so beautifully with words, bringing scenes right to life in your mind's eye. Amazing writing. I laughed my head off and cried till I needed tissue. A captivating read.
Stephanie S. (stephsc) reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
So funny! Really rings true for anyone with a new baby. I received it at my baby shower and enjoyed it very much.
Jennifer W. reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Anne Lamott has the guts to write what no one else does--she looks her own shortcomings and mistakes as a first time mom straight in the face and refuses to flinch. What results is illuminating and real beyond comparison. Plus, she's hilarious. I laughed out loud so often my husband was convinced I was off my rocker for real this time. Incredibly enjoyable, insightful, and worth every second.
Kimberly C. reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
wonderfully funny, honest take on life by an author who became a single parent at 35. Great stuff!
Marley C. reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
As a single mom myself, I found this book true, funny, and intelligent. I think most moms can identify with Anne's observations and feelings. This was one of the easiest, fastest reads I've ever had and loved every minute of it!
Cindy M. (RenascenceC) reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 77 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Although her literary devices get a bit repetitive with "gulping" reading of this volume, I couldn't help it! Sharp, sweet, perfect commentary on so many things of the wonder of motherhood. Beware of language and sexual discussion, though you should expect the frank anatomical/functional descriptions of pregnancy, birth, recovery, babies, and nursing if you're looking at this one. I enjoyed it but am content to pass it on after recording some of my favorite excerpts.
This book is a wonderful read for anyone who recently had a baby. I'm sure it's great for any mom to read, but when you're going through the first few months of baby's life it's nice to know that other women felt the same things you feel. I'd recommend this to any mom, especially a first timer.
Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) -
This is just awful. This woman can't write and from what I read she's can't mother either. I'm intensely happy my Mother is nothing like this woman. I'm far more happy that I'M nothing like this woman.
I find her disgusting quite honestly and can't believe she'd admit some of the things she did. If I owned those beliefs I'd hide them at all costs.
I'm fascinated - and repelled - that a person can not only think like this but this others want to read about it. What's more fascinating than that even is that people do! I question humanity.
I find her disgusting quite honestly and can't believe she'd admit some of the things she did. If I owned those beliefs I'd hide them at all costs.
I'm fascinated - and repelled - that a person can not only think like this but this others want to read about it. What's more fascinating than that even is that people do! I question humanity.
This book was an easy read and it was nice to hear about another new mom and her experiences!
Sue C. (sues) -
A funny, insightful and irreverent book. Very poignant at times as well, as Lamott deals with not only the first year of her child's life, but with Lamott's best friend being diagnosed with cancer. I found some of the things Lamott had to say about the early days and months of motherhood to be very truthful and dead on, even if some might not want to admit they had the same thoughts and feelings.
Tiffany K. (tiffanyak) -
I readily admit that I am not in the target audience for this book. I found some of it to be a bit too blunt, and Lamott to definitely be an opinionated woman. Yet, there is something intriguing in looking through another person's eyes as they experience the first year of motherhood, and everything that goes along with it. This is the kind of book that some people will really love, while others might find it questionable as to its value. Personally, I think it is probably a good choice for anyone who is expecting, and might want a small idea of what is to come.
camperchick -
First, I love Anne Lamott. Her delightful sense of humor and her gift of giving voice to it is what keeps drawing me to her books. Operating Instructions is based on a journal that Lamott kept during her son's first year of life. She is unafraid of putting her feelings about her precious baby on paper--feelings that every new mother has but probably lacks the courage to admit. One day's entry: "It has been a terrible day. I'm afraid I'm going to have to let him go. He's an awful baby. I hate him. He's scum." Of course she actually worships her offspring, but she openly shares the roller coaster of emotions that every new mother experiences during that first year. I read it in one day. Couldn't put it down. I laughed aloud many times. Sheer enjoyment.
this is one of the funniest books i've read and re-read. anne lamott has a way with words and weaving stories into hilarious accounts you can see unraveling.
finally parting with it after a few reads...time for new home but i think you will enjoy it!
finally parting with it after a few reads...time for new home but i think you will enjoy it!
SO funny because it's so true!
Amy A. (aaustin) reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 23 more book reviews
Clever, witty look at the first year of single-motherhood. Some very good lines that I continue to use, like "feeding a baby is like applying spackle." So true!
Stephanie S. (stephaniesmithrn) reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 4 more book reviews
I read this while I was pregnant with my first child. Do not do this! I was hoping for warm fuzzies, and this book was certainly lacking those. Although it is a very truthful book, it is very depressing too.
Jennifer P. (jenners) reviewed Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year on + 121 more book reviews
Very much enjoyed this book. Anne Lamott doesn't hide all the ups and downs of motherhood -- sometimes you really do feel that crazy! Even though that part of motherhood is behind me (thank God!!!) it was fun to revisit that crazy time again. Wish I had had this book to read while I was going through the sleep deprivation phase and feeling just nuts.
Andrea (andreadogsbestfreind) -
True-funny-intelligent, yes, but VULGAR. Swearing on each and every page. Would have been a much smoother read without the constant *BLEEP* as one is following along
