Laughing and Crying Through Faith: A Book That Hits Close to Home

Ever heard of a book that makes you laugh so hard you snort and then makes you cry all in one go? That's exactly what "Traveling Mercies" by Anne Lamott does. It's all about her journey to finding faith, and it's not your typical religious story. She grew up in a family that didn't believe in God, then she had her fair share of troubles with drugs and alcohol, and finally, she found her way to Christianity. Pretty intense, right? The funniest parts are about her raising her son. She's hilarious when she talks about losing her temper and feeling guilty about it. And when another mom says something passive-aggressive, her thoughts are so bad she can't even say them out loud! But then, the book takes a serious turn. Lamott describes God as a parent who loves everyone, even the worst people. It's a powerful message that really makes you think. But let's not forget about her other interests. She's a big fan of Erroll Garner's music, which can make even a simple walk feel dreamy. And she's always up for a good debate, like whether Taylor Swift's new album is any good. She's got a soft spot for Anthony Hopkins and will read anything by Ann Patchett. And if you're into art, she's obsessed with John Singer Sargent's paintings, especially one of two women in Italy. Now, you might be wondering how she spends her free time. Well, she used to waste a lot of time on Instagram, but she deleted all the fun apps. Instead, she's all about Pinterest, where she dreams about her future home in the southwest, complete with lizards and coyotes as neighbors. And if you're looking for a good book recommendation, she swears by "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke. It's a strange and beautiful story that's hard to describe, but that's part of the fun.