AN EVENING WITH ANNE LAMOTT

Anne Lamott writes about what most of us don't like to think about – loss.

She wrote her first novel for her father, writer Kenneth Lamott, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer, a novel she describes as "a present to someone I loved who was going to die." In fact, she writes about loss in all her novels – loss of loved ones and loss of personal control – but she doesn't try to sugar-coat the sadness, frustration, and disappointment, yet she tells her stories with honesty, compassion, and a sense of humor.

Anne Lamott is the author of seven books of fiction: Hard Laughter, Rosie, Joe Jones, Blue Shoe, All New People, Crooked Little Heart, and Imperfect Birds. She has also written several bestselling books of nonfiction, including Operating Instructions, an account of life as a single mother during her son's first year, Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son's First Son, and the classic book on writing, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. 

In addition, Anne Lamott has also written several collections of autobiographical essays on faith: Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, and Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith, as well as Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers, Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair, Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace, Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy and Almost Everything: Notes on Hope.