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This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage | Ann Patchett
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage is an irresistible blend of literature and memoir revealing the big experiences and little moments that shaped Ann Patchett as a daughter, wife, friend and writer. Here, Ann Patchett shares entertaining and moving stories about her tumultuous childhood, her painful early divorce, the excitement of selling her first book, driving a Winnebago from Montana to Yellowstone Park, her joyous discovery of opera, scaling a six-foot wall in order to join the Los Angeles Police Department, the gradual loss of her beloved grandmother, starting her own bookshop in Nashville, her love for her very special dog and, of course, her eventual happy marriage. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage is a memoir both wide ranging and deeply personal, overflowing with close observation and emotional wisdom, told with wit, honesty and irresistible warmth.
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

I‘m continuing to find solace in rereads of favorite nonfiction audiobooks, and I think I enjoy Patchett‘s essays more than her novels (but it‘s close 💜). She just has such a wonderful way of expressing parts of her life, especially her relationships with family, friends, and her husband. The first few essays with writing advice are fantastic, too!

BarbaraBB Thank you for your email! So glad with what you wrote! I just read it and will write back soon!!! 💝 3mo
Megabooks @BarbaraBB yay! Excited to hear from you!! 💕💕 3mo
squirrelbrain Stacking this as I loved this one. And many other fiction ones of course! 3mo
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Megabooks @squirrelbrain I hope you enjoy this one! I‘ve read and loved the three I know about. This, TPD, as well as (edited) 3mo
Megabooks @squirrelbrain right now I‘m going a bit dark and rereading this collection of New Yorker articles 3mo
squirrelbrain Oh, I have Rogues on my Kindle TBR. 3mo
Megabooks @squirrelbrain it‘s one you can dip in and out of like a magazine if you‘re just looking for a bit of nonfiction or only have a bit of time to read. It‘s 12 feature-length magazine stories. Right now I‘m listening to the one about the capture of the drug lord El Chapo. 3mo
Susanita Every interview I‘ve heard with her, she seems very down to earth. 3mo
RebelReader I like listening to her essays. I guess I like her voice 3mo
Megabooks @Susanita yes! I‘ve been to two events at Parnassus where she‘s been in conversation with other authors and she is fantastic there too. 3mo
Megabooks @RebelReader she does have a very nice voice. 😁 3mo
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lynneamch
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"Is it possible that anxiety ends at
the moment when we no longer
have #time for it?"
Poignant collection of essays by amazing
Ann Patchett #inquotes @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Great collage! I agree-I read this last year 🧡 14mo
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ICantImReading
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I‘ve never read any fiction by Ann Patchett, but mostly enjoyed this nonfiction essay collection. I liked her writing about marriage, divorce, her grandmother, and her dog the best. 🎧 #reesesbookclub

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NovelNancyM
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this collection of essays as much as These Precious Days. Topics have aged well even though some essays are over ten years old. Ann has a way of taking personal experience and making it universal.

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Dramatictara
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7% into the book and I love it! I can see the person or personality through her writings, style and mood setting. Collection of magazine stories from over the years…brilliant. She‘s good:)

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MelKelsey
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Pickpick

Book 141

I listened to This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett. It's a cross between a memoir and an advice book for writers. I almost gave up, but I'm glad I didn't. The author reads it, and I enjoyed getting to know her. And it did motivate me to write. ⭐⭐⭐.5

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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Ann Patchett is good people. What a lovely human. I enjoyed some essays more than others but each one is so cleverly and beautifully worded. Thanks @Soubhiville for choosing such a gem of an author for #AAM

TrishB I think all our appreciations for her have gone up muchly this month 😁 3y
Cinfhen Absolutely @TrishB 💕 3y
AmyG Ha...YES. @TrishB 3y
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MicheleinPhilly Hi! Don‘t know if you saw but the Free Library is doing away with Hoopla at the end of June. 😩 3y
Cinfhen That sucks @MicheleinPhilly 😮😱😠I‘m subscribed through Montgomery County so hopefully I‘ll still be able to borrow 🤞🏽🤞🏽 3y
Megabooks So glad you enjoyed this too!! 3y
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Addison_Reads
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#CuriousCovers @AlwaysBeenaLoverofBooks @Eggs

This book with its various shades of #Orange is one of my favorites so far this month that I listened to for #LittenListen. @aperfectmjk

Eggs Beautiful 🍊 I liked this one too🧡 3y
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Eggs
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Pickpick

Brilliant audiobook narrated by author! Part speeches, part essays, part memoir (including a chapter about Lucy Grealy)—she is eloquent 👍🏼❤️

#authoramonth2021 @Soubhiville

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

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Lcsmcat
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Pickpick

Having read all her novels, I dove into this collection of essays for #authoramonth. And they are so marvelous, that when she mentioned editing the 2006 volume of Best American Short Stories, I stopped reading to order it. And when she wrote that she had appeared on Stephen Colbert, I searched for it (unsuccessfully 😥) on YouTube. What I found was a goldmine of Patchett videos, including this one. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EfTVcD-zTNk
❤️ ❤️

Cathythoughts Lovely picture 💕 3y
Lcsmcat @Cathythoughts I searched for one with her beloved dog, Rose. 3y
Nute Just watched this video and also the one from the Arlington Reads Gathering. She‘s actually very humorous! 3y
Lcsmcat @Nute She is! I want to watch all the videos now. I kept pausing in my reading to make my husband listen to a paragraph, which is always a good sign. (edited) 3y
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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #LittenListen @aperfectmjk #AuthorAMonth2021 @Soubhiville

Loved this collection of essays! 💚💚💚

Patchett's nonfiction is so engaging and I can honestly say that there wasn't a selection in this book that I didn't love. 😁

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
aperfectmjk I keep meaning to read more of her work. 3y
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Lcsmcat
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How did I miss both Little House and Kristin Lavransdatter as a kid? I first read the Little House books as a mom, and Kristin is up next. 🤷🏻‍♀️

ValerieAndBooks I did read the Little House books (many times) as a kid, but never heard of Kristin Lavransdatter until about 10 years ago when I got to reading them. KL doesn‘t strike me as kids‘ books though🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y
Lcsmcat @ValerieAndBooks I guess if you‘re Ann Patchett it is. 😀 Although I missed a lot of the kids genre because I started Dickens at 8. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y
Ruthiella I went from Little House to Agatha Christie. Like @ValerieAndBooks I only heard about KL a few years ago. 3y
marleed I read the little house books as a kid. I read the Kristin L series for a college lit class. I would not have been interested in that storyline post Little House though. ...My college roommate named her eldest daughter Kristin after these books! 3y
batsy @Ruthiella Me too! 😁 3y
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Lcsmcat
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Love this parenthetical! #authoramonth @Soubhiville

BiblioLitten Wow! 3y
TheBookHippie Musta been here where I live 🤐 (I see it‘s Texas but same thing here) (edited) 3y
Lcsmcat @TheBookHippie @BiblioLitten I think it‘s a testament to the power of literature! 3y
TheBookHippie @Lcsmcat having lived in detention all of parochial school for what I read I can attest to that truth. ✊🏼 3y
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Lcsmcat
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Started this at lunch for #authoramonth2021. I think I‘ve read all her novels already! @Soubhiville

TheKidUpstairs I love Patchett. I may use this as an excuse to reread 3y
Lcsmcat @TheKidUpstairs That May happen here too. I love her writing! 3y
BkClubCare I love Patchett, too 3y
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

I was trying to hold out until next month (when Ann is #AuthorAMonth) to reread this #audiobook, but I have other books lined up, and patience is not one of my virtues. 😁

This is a fantastic essay collection. The title essay about her relationship with her second husband Carl after being reluctant to remarry is fantastic. She covers many things from trying out for the LA police academy to the opening of Parnassus Books (her bookstore). ⬇️

Megabooks ⬆️ FYI This book (and the majority of her catalog as ebooks and audiobooks) are available through #hoopla! Perfect for June author a month. (I don‘t know if you want to put that in your post @Soubhiville ) 👍🏻 (edited) 3y
Cinfhen I‘m eyeing this one for June🙌🏻💕along with a few other books of hers and yes....all are on #Hoopla 😜 3y
JennyM I‘ve just finished this in print a minute ago! Loved it. She writes so beautifully. I think you‘ll really enjoy it, Cindy @cinfhen (edited) 3y
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Megabooks @Cinfhen I‘m reading Truth and Beauty (and her BFFs accompanying book), Bel Canto, and I‘m rereading Commonwealth. 👍🏻 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I‘ve also checked out The Patron Saint of Liars and Run. 3y
Megabooks @JennyM Totally agree!!! 3y
Cinfhen Oh wow!!!! You‘re going hard!!!! I loved Run and 3y
Cinfhen Yay @JennyM I‘m looking forward to #AAM #JUNE #AnnPatchett 3y
Addison_Reads I have this audiobook checked out from my library for June. I've never read any Patchett so I'm looking forward to reading her. 3y
Megabooks @Addison_Reads Enjoy! She‘s a fantastic essayist! 3y
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Kristin_Reads
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Pickpick

5⭐️|| I loved listening to this read by Ann. I found myself listening even when the multitask at hand was finished (after my walk, after laundry was all folded, etc...). I especially loved the stories about applying for the LAPD and about when parents of Oberlin College students tried to have her book banned.

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rather_be_reading
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Bailedbailed

BAILING! This story was a bore from the very beginning but then it seemed it was picking up but ended up boring again. Probably unpopular opinion on this one. I know alot of people like Patchett.

britt_brooke She‘s very hit-or-miss for me. I haven‘t read this one and am in no rush to. 😂 3y
rather_be_reading @britt_brooke haha!! ill keep that in mind 3y
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rather_be_reading
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Book 11

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MittenGirlPeach
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It‘s our anniversary today (37 years!) and I got the most beautiful chiminea! Gotta have some friluftsliv time even (especially) in the winter!

May the new year bring us all good things and good health.

Happy New Years Eve to all!

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ReadingEnvy
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Pickpick

Posting about this is like time traveling because I heard about it from a podcast guest on an episode nobody has heard yet but I went and listened right away. The essays span quite a few years, including one that came from when her book was the freshman read at Clemson and was a huge controversy; that's just down the road from me. I loved hearing Patchett's thoughts on writing, family, and friendship. Her voice sounds so much like Laura Linney!

MallenNC She does sound like Laura Linney! I never thought about that before. 3y
ReadingEnvy @MallenNC for some reason I watch a lot of LL 3y
Cathythoughts I love Laura Linney... book sounds good 👍🏻❤️ 3y
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jdiehr
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Pickpick

Loved this collection of essays and am so happy that I bought it from Ann's bookstore - Parnassus Books. She even signed my copy 🤗

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jdiehr
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I decided to buy a book I've been wanting to read for some time and opted to order it directly from an independent book store.

Then I had an epiphany - order it from the book store that the author is part owner of!

Then I had another epiphany - ask if she would sign the book!

"This Is The Story of a Happy Book Nerd" ?

Suet624 Nice!! 4y
SamAnne Love this post! 4y
TrishB Cool 👍🏻 4y
marleed Wow! 4y
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TheSpineView
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#NewYearNewYou @Eggs
#HappyCouple

A collection of essays about Ann Patchett and written by her. She examines her life and books, dogs, her husband and family.

BkClubCare A favorite 4y
Eggs Perfect!👏🏻 4y
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rather_be_reading
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Love the back of this book!!

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rachelk
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May reading — not as many as most Littens but I started and set down half a dozen other books (that I WILL pick up again soon)! 😂

‘Lake Success‘ 3⭐️
Entertaining but I wish I had cared a little more about the characters.

‘This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage‘ 4⭐️
Reading these articles and essays are a must for Patchett fans.

‘Why Not Me?‘ 3 1/2⭐️
Light, fun and so easy to imagine being friends with her.

#MayWrapUp #MoodReader

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego You did great! 💖📚💖 5y
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ErikasMindfulShelf
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Pickpick

This was absolutely lovely. 😍😍
Available on #Hoopla

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rather_be_reading
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My small library store haul from Friday. I am most excited for the Ann Patchett

megnews I love Kaye Gibbons! One of my favs. 5y
vlwelser The Ann Patchett is good. Enjoy! 5y
dragondrool I would like to trade you "outsides". 5y
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BookBabe 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 5y
Crazeedi I've not read this one of hers, but I've liked the ones I have read, will have to check out! 5y
dragondrool @rather_be_reading You don't want 3.7 degrees and snow? 5y
minkyb Anything by Kaye Gibbons is a score! 5y
112 likes8 comments
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BarbaraJean
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Pickpick

This was lovely! Ann Patchett‘s writing is a joy. I enjoyed some essays more than others; there were a few too many focused on her book about her friend Lucy (in those 3-4 pieces her themes/tone began to feel a little self-congratulatory), but overall this struck a nice balance between essay & memoir. And many of her reflections on writing dovetailed nicely with other current reading & conversations I‘ve had lately. I love it when that happens!

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BarbaraJean
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I believe the brain is as soft & malleable as bread dough when we‘re young. I am grateful for every class trip to the symphony I went on and curse any night I was allowed to watch The Brady Bunch, because all of it stuck. Conversely, I am now capable of forgetting entire novels that I‘ve read, and I‘ve been influenced not at all by books I passionately love & would kill to be influenced by. Think about this before you let your child have an iPad.

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BarbaraJean
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I came across a good #Grinch quote quite unexpectedly in this collection of Ann Patchett‘s essays! I need to read the rest of the essay to see if it‘s actually Grinch-y at all. My reading view certainly isn‘t Grinch-y—we got our Christmas tree today! 🎄#SeasonsReadings

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Nice coincidence!!! 💚💚💚 5y
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Lcsmcat
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1. My husband, the love of my life.
2. My kitty.
3. Time I spent with a friend.
4. It‘s Friday!
#hellothursday @wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn Thanks for participating! ☺️💚 5y
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Lcsmcat
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1. Married;
2. Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth;
3. Ennis & Jack from Brokeback Mountain;
4. The women of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood;
5. Westley. As you wish. 😀
#tellmetuesday @Ke633

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erinreads
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Pickpick

It‘s official, I really, really love Ann Patchett. With essays ranging from random writing assignments to opening a bookstore to her marriages to having to say goodbye to her dog to her friendship with a nun, I can easily say I enjoyed every single journey she takes you on in this collection. I have a feeling this is a book I will revisit often. 💕

cariashley She‘s so wonderful! Love this book! 6y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook I really want to read this! 6y
Blaire I loved this one!! 6y
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erinreads
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Struggling with reading this week, so I‘m still getting through Ann Patchett‘s fabulous collection of essays. And now I‘ve got company. 😻 The bed cat in him comes out once every couple of weeks. #kingcyress #catsoflitsy

Leftcoastzen Such an elegant pose! 6y
Lcsmcat He‘s such a beauty! 6y
silentrequiem I love that Cyress seems to have resting judging face. 6y
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Amiable How funny...my husband and I say the same thing about our cat! Her inner "bed kitty" comes out every few months when we least expect it. ? 6y
erinreads @silentrequiem He is my favorite jerk. Next time you‘re in town you should come meet him! 6y
silentrequiem @erinreads Yes! I love meeting new cats! It probably won't be until January. Tickets are too high around the holidays. 6y
AlaMich He is such a beautiful cat! 😻 6y
95 likes7 comments
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erinreads
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Switched to a lighter read to accompany my wine. I‘m already 100 or so pages into this one, but I just realized there‘s an essay on her Nashville bookstore, so I‘m skipping ahead just for this one! 📚💕

Zelma Love that wine glass. 😻 6y
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LitandLeisure
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Pickpick

Patchett got her start, and funded her way to becoming a full-time novelist, by writing free-lance for the likes of Seventeen, Elle and Gourmet. This is the Story of Happy Marriage is a collection of the best of her best free-lance work.

More in my full review: http://www.literatureandleisure.com/2018/07/book-review-this-is-the-story-of-a-h...

RenePenn This is on my TBR list - just haven‘t gotten to it yet. 6y
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KassKho
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Time for them to fill up the water fountain!

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KassKho
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All by myself today so I‘m reading at the desk! I‘ve had this one for awhile! Any one else wonder what‘s the point of getting a book of essays that are available online 😂 maybe if I was already a fan?

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BornReadChicago
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Pickpick

Books I read in January! Patchett‘s, unsurprisingly, was my favorite ❤️ http://www.bornandreadinchicago.com/2018/02/books-i-read-in-january.html

Jess7 I like that edition of Anne of Green Gables - very pretty!! 6y
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LeslieO
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Let's begin. #24in48.

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Debralee
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Borrowing this book from my daughter @cariashley who just introduced me to Litsy. We‘re going to Nashville to Ms. Patchett‘s bookshop in the spring.

cariashley Nice first post, mom!!! 👍👏🎉 6y
Lcsmcat This is on my TBR - I‘ll be eager to hear what you think about it. 6y
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LauraBrook Welcome to Litsy!!! 💗 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Welcome to Litsy! 6y
mrozzz That‘s so cool! And you got this copy from Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn? 6y
cariashley @mrozzz yes that‘s exactly where I got it! 6y
Librarybelle Welcome to Litsy! 6y
BibliophileMomma Welcome to Litsy! 6y
BookwormAHN Welcome to Litsy 😸 6y
Godmotherx5 Welcome to Litsy! 6y
Cinfhen Fun road trip ❤️📚😊 6y
PurpleyPumpkin Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a great community and I hope you enjoy it here. 6y
RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you're interested. :) 6y
RaimeyGallant Now to get my mom on here. 6y
Jenniferlikes2read Welcome ❤️📚📚📚❤️ 6y
Jess7 Welcome!! 6y
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Little_Reader
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Couples who #Litsy together stay together. 😍😘

SilversReviews Love your comment and this photo!! 6y
rather_be_reading LOVE it! 3y
49 likes3 comments
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Denisereads75
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Pickpick

A decent collection of stories; some more enjoyable than others. Ann Patchett is a good writer and if you enjoy her novels, you will find enjoy this collection of short stories.

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GAustin
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Mehso-so

I loved the short story “The Get Away Car” heard about this book of essays and so here I landed. However, after reading this I come away with mixed feelings. The writing is great, but as the author states herself, sometimes you should just appreciate the work and separate the author. Some of it just rubs me wrong. Story of her dog. How she came to own it. Well I‘ll enjoy her stories, I‘ll leave it at that.

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GAustin
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Just started reading this today. I had read, The Get Away Car before. Even so, I enjoyed it a second time. Along with the first, How to read a Christmas Story. Good stuff. These essays seem to both inform and hold a spot light on her that is very entertaining and personal.

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Lauren.Archer
Pickpick

This was really very good. Ann Patchett was so honest and raw at times. I really appreciated her honesty. The stories from how to become an author, marriage, divorce and even loss of pets. The title story was by far her best. I know I am late to the game, but if you have not read it, highly recommend.

erinreads This is on my Christmas list, so I‘m hoping someone pulls through! 🤞🏻 6y
GAustin I picked it up this past summer and just has not made to the top of the stack. 6y
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jennwangster
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Excited to read this book!

#annpatchett

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Lauren.Archer
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Up next for my Audiobook list. I am kinda glad the #rwbookclub picked this book for December, as it has been sitting in my AB library for a long time.

laytonwoman3rd I really enjoyed that one. 6y
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Abailliekaras
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YES! Australia has just voted in favour of marriage equality (yes, finally). So happy and relieved. 🌈👏🏼

Bibliogeekery 👍🏽🎉🏳️‍🌈 6y
Moray_Reads Brilliant news! 🎉🎉🌈🌈 #loveislove 6y
Michelle_mck I have been wearing my yes pin every day and having difficult conversations and it‘s been worth it. My best friend should be able to marry his guy! And I get to be the Best Girl! Whoop Whoop 🌈 🌈 🌈 6y
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merelybookish Excellent!!! ❤️💙💚💛💜 6y
GypsyKat Fantastic!!! 🙌 🏳️‍🌈 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 6y
Natasha.C.Barnes YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so worried that wouldn't happen! 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 6y
Abailliekaras @Michelle_mck all the weddings! I can‘t wait 🎉 6y
Abailliekaras @Bibliogeekery @Moray_Reads @merelybookish @GypsyKat @Natasha.C.Barnes It‘s wonderful (& long overdue). 80% voted which shows how seriously Australians take their right to vote. 😊🏳️‍🌈 6y
CarolynM I would have liked to see a higher yes vote, but it will do. For anyone directly affected by this, I wish you all the very best. 6y
Abailliekaras @CarolynM true, but I‘m glad it was absolutely clear. Time to get on with it! 6y
LeeRHarry Now get through parliament asap!!! 🌈 6y
57 likes12 comments