God knows I have a weakness for Anne Lamott. The latest book I read of her, Grace eventually, is as great and comforting as before, so I’m going to say it once again and be done with it: I’m so grateful that her books came into my hands. My favorites are Bird by Bird, of course, and Operating Instructions, on her son’s first year.

Grace Eventually, as you can guess, is not for cynics, but it’s not reserved for Christians either: basically it’s for anyone who looks for a little compassion and graceful kindness in every day life. I don’t mean to upset anyone with undue comparisons, but in my mind she’s not too far from another spiritual woman I admire in a completely different religion, Karen Maezen Miller, except that Lamott’s true self is more neurotic and turbulent.

Lamott’s appeal lies in her friendly voice and her utter honesty. She has passionate views about abortion, euthanasia,… and George Bush, so of course it’s not for everyone in America, but here in Europe it suits me fine. Her view of the world seems to me, at times, so typically, outrageously American that I have to laugh, but I’m not mocking her, I’m just acknowledging that good people come in different packages around the world.

Although I am not a religious person, struggling between atheism and agnosticism (but interested in spirituality), I have to laugh when she writes: “Sometimes I think that Jesus watches my neurotic struggles, and shakes his head and grips his forehead and starts tossing back mojitos.” I might not know where I stand related to Jesus, but I know where I stand regarding humor, great writing… and mojitos.