Jason's Reading (books by Ann Patchett)

A touching, heart-warming story. It’s a good reminder that life is complicated, that we can’t anticipate the twists and turns we’ll take, that sometimes losing what we thought we wanted is the best thing that could happen to us. I especially loved witnessing the protagonist’s relationship with her husband and daughters. It made me want to cherish my own family more, to relish the time together and bask in the fleeting moments while they last. Life is short and long, bitter and sweet, all at the same time, and Tom Lake helped me appreciate that. …

Wow, the ending really got me. The book was good throughout – an interesting story, nuanced characters, ethical grey areas, a good dose of suspense despite Patchett’s typical slow pace (which I love). But the last two chapters flipped everything upside down and then the book was just over with very little sense of closure. I don’t see that as a bad thing, though; it was a fitting finish and one that I’ll likely be thinking about for a while.

When I began reading this book and discovered that it’s a collection of essays, I was initially disappointed; however, that disappointment faded quickly. Each essay is thought-provoking on its own, and together they provide an intimate view of Patchett’s life that reads almost like a memoir. I was impressed by her willingness to share so much of herself and loved her writing style, as always. …

Ann Patchett continues to amaze me with her ability to make the details of normal life so interesting. I particularly enjoyed the way that she used a non-linear timeline to create a sense of anticipation. I didn’t feel quite as attached to the people in this book as I have to some of Patchett’s other characters, but I appreciated the story nonetheless. Life is messy, and it’s nice to embrace that.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It seems so exciting initially – rebels burst into an extravagant party and take everyone hostage – but it’s really just a charming story of people getting to know each other, enjoying great music, becoming friends, falling in love, playing chess and soccer, all despite what appear at first to be insurmountable differences. Patchett does a great job portraying how humanity persists even in extraordinary situations. …

I love books like this one. The plot is interesting yet unremarkable, an everyday life kind of story, making it easy for me to connect it to my own life. I was surprised by how hard the ending hit me – I hadn’t realized how attached to the characters I’d become – and how deeply it made me reflect on the way I want to live. I’ll definitely be looking for more books by Patchett.