Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m so happy I finally read this short story collection from Ann Patchett. The story topics run the gamut, but I throughly enjoyed them all, which rarely happens for me. They are read by the author which adds a layer of authenticity and charm and this felt like the perfect time to read it as we consider women‘s rights, bodily autonomy, and the right to read. #Bookspin #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

My November #BookspinBingo list! @TheAromaofBooks

#coverlove
#white
@eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
#tbr

I like the nonfiction I‘ve read from Ann Patchett thus far, and this one is no different. Despite the title, it‘s not a book about marriage but a collection of her writings on a bunch of topics in short and medium length essays. I particularly liked the ones about bookstores and dogs (of course).

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!

"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

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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

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.

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:)

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

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

#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

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

#authoramonth2021 @Soubhiville

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

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
❤️ ❤️

#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. 😁

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. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Love this parenthetical! #authoramonth @Soubhiville

Started this at lunch for #authoramonth2021. I think I‘ve read all her novels already! @Soubhiville

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). ⬇️

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.

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.

Book 11

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!

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!

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

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" ?

#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.

Love the back of this book!!

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

This was absolutely lovely. 😍😍
Available on #Hoopla

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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. 💕

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

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! 📚💕

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...

Time for them to fill up the water fountain!

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?

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

Let's begin. #24in48.

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.

Couples who #Litsy together stay together. 😍😘

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.

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.

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.