The astonishing Ann Patchett is not only a gifted novelist, she’s also a co-owner of a bookstore in Nashville. This is the Story of a Happy Marriage collects the best of Ann Patchett’s essays. One of my favorites is “The Getaway Car” where Patchett finds a way to leave her job as a waitress at TGIF Friday’s to evolve into a writer. Patchett provides plenty of practical writing tips. I also enjoyed “My Life in Sales” which deals with Patchett on her book tours. I was surprised to learn conservatives in South Carolina attacked Patchett for writing “pornography” when Clemson University assigned one of her books to freshman students. And, of course, Patchett deals with her divorce and remarriage. Now, I’d really like to meet Ann Prachett. After reading this book I feel like I know her. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Non-Fiction, an Introduction
The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir about Writing and Life
The Sacrament of Divorce
The Paris Match
This Dog’s Life
The Best Seat in the House
My Road to Hell Was Paved
Tennessee
On Responsibility
The Wall
Fact vs. Fiction
My Life in Sales
“The Love Between Two Women Is Not Normal”
The Right to Read
Do Not Disturb
Introduction to The Best American Short Stories 2006
Love Sustained
The Bookstore Strikes Back
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage
Our Deluge, Drop by Drop
Dog without End
The Mercies
I’d like to visit that bookstore.
Bill, I love that photo of Ann Patchett in her bookstore! I’d like to visit it, too.
Ditto. I was very impressed when I read that book (don’t have my list with me, but it was on George’s recommendation) of authors talking about their favorite bookstores and Patchett talked about why and how she opened her store in Nashville, which has apparently become hugely successful. I have this book on my library hold list for when we get home.
Jeff, Ann Patchett opened her bookstore in Nashville because it’s the only independent bookstore in town. She couldn’t imagine her home town without a bookstore.
This does sound interesting. I’ll get hold of a copy.
Rick, you’ll enjoy Ann Patchett’s book. I bought Diane a copy of THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE because Diane’s been a Patchett fan since she read BEL CANTO.
I’m number 345 of 345 holds on 19 copies, at the library. I’ll be reading it this coming Summer…. The good news is the Jeff Bezos book that you posted on a while back is nearly within reach, just No. 7 on 11 copies.
Rick, I’m using THE EVERYTHING STORE in one of my MARKETING classes. Jeff Bezos is a genius.
Rick, I’m down to #3 on the wait list for the Bezos book and I’m 37 of 92 on the Patchett. I’m hoping by the time we get home I’ll be at the top of the list. (I was able to “freeze” my hold so I won’t lost my place if they get to #1 while we’re away.)