Author(s): Ann Patchett

Biography | Marianne's Book Talkers

'A heartfelt and witty collection of essays on everything from marriage and knitting to the inevitability of death' Guardian

'A pitch-perfect collection ... She can turn a sentence like no one else: her writing is clear, honest, witty, and just full of unsentimental humanity' Nigella Lawson

'Profound and clever and funny and wise' Meg Mason, author of Sorrow & Bliss

An irresistible collection of essays and memoir from the internationally bestselling, Women's Prize-winning author of The Dutch House

'Any story that starts will also end.' As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this as she explores family, friendship, marriage, failure, success, and what it all means.

Ranging from the personal - her portrait of the three men she called her fathers; how a chance encounter with Tom Hanks led to one of the most important friendships of her life; how to answer when someone asks why you don't have children - to the sublime - the unexpected influence of Snoopy; the importance of knitting; the pleasure to be found in children's books - each essay transforms the particular into the universal, letting us all see our own worlds anew.

Illuminating, penetrating, funny and generous, These Precious Days is joyful time spent in the company of one of our greatest living authors.

'Patchett's essays are both sharp and humane ... like a hugely enjoyable conversation with a particularly brilliant friend' Sadie Jones

CONSTANT READER STAFF REVIEW: MARIANNE

Whether turning her pen to fiction, essays, or memoir, I always know that a new Ann Patchett promises at least a couple of afternoons with a cup of tea, absorbed in a good book (I try to stretch it out when I can, but the temptation is always to gobble it up all at once!).

This collection of recent essays is classic Patchett, with insights into friendship, marriage, writing, running a bookshop (Patchett co-owns legendary Nashvillle indie, Parnassus Books), and the antics of beloved Patchett household pooch, Sparky.

It’s the essays that almost bookend the collection that got me, though – the second one, Three Fathers, and the second to last, These Precious Days, are so touching, surprising, sad, and beautiful, your cup of tea will definitely go cold as you drink them all in!