Books filled with advice are, generally, either priggishly didactic, or so gooey they cause uncontrollable nausea. "Bird by Bird," however, is neither - it is candid, helpful, unbelievably funny, and above all VERY affirmative. Lamott speaks not only about the craft of writing, but also about the fears, depression, and paranoia that go hand in hand with the act of putting one's writing out into the world. 
 I highly recommend this book not only for writers, but also for people who know writers, and people who just like to laugh!