Anne Lamott has made me finally feel like it is all going to be okay! 
 This is less of an instructional guide to the craft of writing and more of an extended pep-talk about living life creatively. This book will not necessarily guide you in how to create stellar characters or how to merge your sub-plot with your main plot-line, but it will aid you in going into your writing endeavors with a more sound mind and a better expectation of what the creative process holds. It is profound, anecdotal and full of wry observations about life being somewhere between faith and failure. Perfectionism is seen as the root of all evil and kudos is paid to "the shitty first draft". 
 Her conversational, witty and engaging tone has allowed me to believe in myself whilst dually giving the hard facts about life as a writer. She doesn't sugar-coat and she doesn't dress anything up, but she does give hope and she does urge every writer-to-be to own their own voice and to strive for the stories within themselves. 
 This is a must-read for both amateur and professional writers, as well as all those with an interest in creative living.