Bird By Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Ranked #2 in Creative Writing, Ranked #2 in Writingsee more rankings.

Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'" "Superb writing advice... hilarious, helpful and provocative." -- "New York... more

Reviews and Recommendations

We've comprehensively compiled reviews of Bird By Bird from the world's leading experts.

Timothy Ferriss Author & EntrepreneurBird by Bird is one of my absolute favorite books, and I gift it to everybody, which I should probably also give to startup founders, quite frankly. A lot of the lessons are the same. But you can get to your destination, even though you can only see 20 feet in front of you. (Source)

Susan Cain AuthorI love [this book]. Such a good book. (Source)

Daniel Pink AuthorRecommends this book

Ryan Holiday AuthorIt was wonderful to read these two provocative books of essays by two incredibly wise and compassionate women. [...] Anne Lamott’s book is ostensibly about the art of writing, but really it too is about life and how to tackle the problems, temptations and opportunities life throws at us. Both will make you think and both made me a better person this year. (Source)

Mark Bittman A really great writing book and it’s a good read. (Source)

Benjamin Spall [Question: What five books would you recommend to youngsters interested in your professional path?] Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott, [...] (Source)

Kelly Wickham Hurst @dayswithe @ANNELAMOTT Bird by Bird is an amazing book. Also, I love you. So much. (Source)

Kaci Lambe Kai These three books were very inspirational and broke down their way of creating in a way that was genuine and honest while still making me feel like I could be a writer. (Source)

Ramit Sethi Recommends this book


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