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!

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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.

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So funny! Really rings true for anyone with a new baby. I received it at my baby shower and enjoyed it very much.

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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.

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wonderfully funny, honest take on life by an author who became a single parent at 35. Great stuff!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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