Stitches

A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair

By: Anne Lamott

Narrated by: Anne Lamott

Length: 1 hr and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best seller from the author of Dusk, Night, Dawn, Hallelujah Anyway, Bird by Bird, and Almost Everything.

What do we do when life lurches out of balance? How can we reconnect to one other and to what’s sustaining, when evil and catastrophe seem inescapable? These questions lie at the heart of Stitches, Lamott’s profound follow-up to her New York Times - best-selling Help, Thanks, Wow. In this book Lamott explores how we find meaning and peace in these loud and frantic times; where we start again after personal and public devastation; how we recapture wholeness after loss; and how we locate our true identities in this frazzled age. We begin, Lamott says, by collecting the ripped shreds of our emotional and spiritual fabric and sewing them back together, one stitch at a time. It’s in these stitches that the quilt of life begins, and embedded in them are strength, warmth, humor, and humanity.

©2013 Anne Lamott; 2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Lamott’s...most insightful book yet, Stitches offers plenty of her characteristic witty wisdom…this slim, readable volume [is] a lens on life, widening and narrowing, encouraging each reader to reflect on what it is, after all, that really matters.” (People)

Surprisingly, Ms. Lamott is weak as a narrator.

Would you consider the audio edition of Stitches to be better than the print version?

No.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stitches?

I can't remember much other than how surprised I was at Ms. Lamott's narration style.

What didn’t you like about Anne Lamott’s performance?

She is among the most uninspired and uninspiring narrators I have experienced. Her monotone and too rapid narration takes all the life out of her beautiful prose. It was as if she just wanted to get through it as fast and with as little effort as possible.

Any additional comments?

A fine narrator would have made this fine collection of exquisitely written and inspiring stories a joy to experience.

Lifesaver for me

I got this book when I was going through a really difficult time (death, betrayal, general ugliness), and I not exaggerating when I say that some days I listened to this over and over. I loves me some Anne Lamott!

Great spiritual book!

I really enjoyed this book as it was spiritual but without overt denominational influence. It was very inclusive and had a good heart to it. I definitely recommend it to anyone.

Boring, boringer, oh my god, really?

The narration on this book is too fast, I tried slowing it to x.75 but it seemed even more robotic. I couldn't get into this book whatsoever. I am asking for a refund. I was so full of hope for this book being an answer to my current place of hopelessness. Maybe I'll get a hard copy from the library and see if I can READ it.

voice was a challenge

I think this book had a good message. It was hard to stay focused as the author's voice was flat and awkwardly paced. It felt like hours of run on sentences, resulting in otherwise cute stories and clever thoughts falling flat. This is definitely one of those books that should have been narrated by someone else.

Emotional B-12 shot.

Anne and my dogs keep me afloat. Love it that she narrates her own books.

Like book

I liked the book content but I didn't care for her reading voice. It was too monotone.

Annie, you sound bored with your own book.

Would you consider the audio edition of Stitches to be better than the print version?

Probably the print version is much better, which is why I gave it four stars overall, based not on this book but on her other books. Some day I'll get around to reading it. I'm pretty turned off at the moment.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Never to Annie Lamott reading her own stuff.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Anne Lamott?

I'm not familiar enough with names of voice actors to say. It should be a woman, and one with a natural-sounding style, but one who has training: one who, for instance, knows the difference it makes just to smile while she is reading. I found Annie Lamott's delivery annoyingly indistinct and monotonous. She sounded bored with her own book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No way. I stopped listening half way through the first chapter.

So honest, vulnerable

I really resonate with and cherish Anne’s openness and humor as she approaches faith in life.

Thimble required‼️

Introduced as our SS bible study for a class called ‘Quest’ with a medium age of 70+. We are known to be the rebels in the greater congregation, ie, Constantly asking questions, seeking the elusive truths & genuine meaning of life.

Tho the book is a mere 90 pages, we’ve languished thru it for weeks. Every chapter has been scrutinized & some Sundays we only covered 2 pages.

Lots of laughter & some tears have resulted as we dissected & debated many statements.

At our age most all of us were taught to sew (a mix of old-school housewives & military vets). Ms Lamontt’s analogies were & are totally relatable. A lovely, raw testimony. But I highly recommend, actually insist, wearing a thimble is required. Lol 😂 Lots of pins & needles to be pricked by…