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Lisa (NY)'s Reviews > These Precious Days: Essays
These Precious Days: Essays
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Update - December 11, 2021
I am so grateful to Ann Patchett for this spectacular book. Or should I say my friend Ann? Because listening to these essays feels like having a conversation with a valued friend. Over the last several days we have walked, cooked and gone on a few drives together. She has shared her joys, fears and revelations - and has made me laugh and laugh. And cry. Her voice in my ear felt both soothing and heart-piercing. And although she did all the talking, it didn't feel one-sided. She left space for me to see own life more vividly.
I also have a hard cover copy of the book and love Sooki's stunning paintings on the glossy front and back cover. This is a book that I'll leave on the table next to my chair. Just looking at this precious book lifts me. I can't recommend it enough.
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Response to essay in Harpers Magazine - January 2021
My son called me earlier today and told me I must read "These Precious Days," a long essay in Harpers magazine by Ann Patchett. We both loved her essay collection "This is the Story of a Happy Marriage." So as soon as I had time today, I found the essay online and didn't come up for air until I finished. The story is this: Ann Patchett got to know Tom Hanks from his short story collection and then got to know his assistant Sooki who then ended up coming to live with Ann. It is a remarkable, wonderful essay - here is the link. Go read it now! Warning - it is quite long - so clear some time because you won't want to stop.
https://harpers.org/archive/2021/01/t...
I'm excited that it seems to be part of a collection coming out in November!
I am so grateful to Ann Patchett for this spectacular book. Or should I say my friend Ann? Because listening to these essays feels like having a conversation with a valued friend. Over the last several days we have walked, cooked and gone on a few drives together. She has shared her joys, fears and revelations - and has made me laugh and laugh. And cry. Her voice in my ear felt both soothing and heart-piercing. And although she did all the talking, it didn't feel one-sided. She left space for me to see own life more vividly.
I also have a hard cover copy of the book and love Sooki's stunning paintings on the glossy front and back cover. This is a book that I'll leave on the table next to my chair. Just looking at this precious book lifts me. I can't recommend it enough.
----------------------
Response to essay in Harpers Magazine - January 2021
My son called me earlier today and told me I must read "These Precious Days," a long essay in Harpers magazine by Ann Patchett. We both loved her essay collection "This is the Story of a Happy Marriage." So as soon as I had time today, I found the essay online and didn't come up for air until I finished. The story is this: Ann Patchett got to know Tom Hanks from his short story collection and then got to know his assistant Sooki who then ended up coming to live with Ann. It is a remarkable, wonderful essay - here is the link. Go read it now! Warning - it is quite long - so clear some time because you won't want to stop.
https://harpers.org/archive/2021/01/t...
I'm excited that it seems to be part of a collection coming out in November!
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These Precious Days.
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Reading Progress
January 18, 2021
– Shelved
January 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
essays
January 18, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
December 4, 2021
–
Started Reading
December 11, 2021
– Shelved as:
audiobook
December 11, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-favorites
December 11, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 67 (67 new)
message 1:
by
Jenna
(new)
Jan 18, 2021 03:28PM
How wonderful to have a new book to look forward to!
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Thanks for the prompt. I'll go bookmark it and read it later.
Sounds fantastic. Thank you for the link, Lisa.
Lisa, thanks for this. I’ll definitely get to it!
Jenna, Bianca, Anne and Angela - Enjoy!
Can’t wait to read this — I love Ann Patchett! Thanks for sharing, Lisa! :)
Brandice wrote: "Can’t wait to read this — I love Ann Patchett! Thanks for sharing, Lisa! :)"Brandice - I look forward to your thoughts.
Fran wrote: "Great review, Lisa!"Thanks Fran.
Oh, I must read this! But it’s 4 am so no time now. I loved This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage so I am super excited! And even more excited that she has another book of essays coming out! Terrific review--and thanks for letting me know about this.
Debbie wrote: "Oh, I must read this! But it’s 4 am so no time now. I loved This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage so I am super excited! And even more excited that she has another book of essays coming out! Terrif..." Debbie, I'm so glad that I can share it!
Violeta wrote: "Thanks for sharing, Lisa!" You are welcome!
Love Ann Patchett so I am sure I will enjoy this. Thanks for alerting me, Lisa.
Barbara wrote: "Love Ann Patchett so I am sure I will enjoy this. Thanks for alerting me, Lisa." 👍
How fun you and your son do buddy reads!! I love Patchett, so I'll check it out when I do have the time.❤️
Read it a few weeks ago and loved it as well. Wish we all could meet Sooki! And Ann!!
Thank you for sharing. I couldn’t stop reading once I started. You were so right. Beautiful. X
Leslye wrote: "Read it a few weeks ago and loved it as well. Wish we all could meet Sooki! And Ann!!" Yes, they are both amazing people.
Sarah wrote: "Thank you for sharing. I couldn’t stop reading once I started. You were so right. Beautiful. X" I'm so glad you loved it Sarah!
I love Patchett and I've bookmarked it. Thanks Lisa!
JanB wrote: "I love Patchett and I've bookmarked it. Thanks Lisa!"You're welcome Jan - enjoy!
I read that essay, is that what this book is about only? Or are there other essays?
Marie wrote: "I read that essay, is that what this book is about only? Or are there other essays?"Marie, the book hasn't been released yet but it will be a collection of essays, including this one.
Elyse wrote: "please thank your son -- wonderful review --and its on my library TBR book xo" I can't wait to read them all!
Well that was an amazing read and I just had to send it to my mum and a friend who both live interstate where I can’t currently visit them. It made me think about friendship, family and everything that the last couple of years has put us through. Thanks Elyse
Sorry thanks Lisa... and thanks Elyse for re posting (which is how I saw this mentioned!)
Tundra wrote: "Sorry thanks Lisa... and thanks Elyse for re posting (which is how I saw this mentioned!)" I'm so glad you enjoyed Tundra. It is the kind of essay that you just want to share with people you care about.
Thank you so much for sharing this link. It is a beautiful essay and one that will stay with me. I have shared it with my daughters, too.
You intrigued me..thank you. The link charges to read though.. expensive.. I'll buy the book
susan young wrote: "You intrigued me..thank you. The link charges to read though.. expensive.. I'll buy the book" Hi Susan, I will be buying the book too, I'm confident it will be worth it! Sorry the link charged you - it was free for me.
Beautiful review, Lisa! I'm so glad you loved this. I read the book and listened to a zoom talk that Ann gave and then was at a loss of words to describe the experience. She is amazing!
Holly R W wrote: "Beautiful review, Lisa! I'm so glad you loved this. I read the book and listened to a zoom talk that Ann gave and then was at a loss of words to describe the experience. She is amazing!" Holly, I also saw her speak (many years ago) and was struck by how approachable and warm she is in person. I like her fiction very much but I LOVE her essays.
Lisa, thank you for the link to her essay. I just finished it and am still under it's spell. I plan to read the rest of the essays in the book.
Anne (On semi-hiatus) wrote: "Lisa, thank you for the link to her essay. I just finished it and am still under it's spell. I plan to read the rest of the essays in the book." You are welcome Anne. This is a great book to listen to.
Great. I'm on the waiting list at my library for the audio version. It's a very long line. :))
Wonderful again . Lisa. I had an ebook , but I’m going to get the book.
Angela M wrote: "Wonderful again . Lisa. I had an ebook , but I’m going to get the book."Great - it is a beautiful book just to look at and touch!
My mouth is watering. Read the single essay and was sold. Patchett is wonderful! Fantastic, heartfelt review!
Debbie wrote: "My mouth is watering. Read the single essay and was sold. Patchett is wonderful! Fantastic, heartfelt review!" Thank you Debbie. I just loved them.
Love Ann Patchett's writing--looking forward to this one.
Kathleen wrote: "Love Ann Patchett's writing--looking forward to this one."It is wonderful - enjoy!
What a beautiful review Lisa. I had goose bumps for some reason reading it. It feels so personal. I saw this book on Obama’s list and came here to double check if I should get it and after your review I am definitely getting it. Thank you.
Ruth wrote: "What a beautiful review Lisa. I had goose bumps for some reason reading it. It feels so personal. I saw this book on Obama’s list and came here to double check if I should get it and after your rev..."Oh, I'm so glad Ruth. I hope you love it also!
Elyse wrote: "Amen! Amen! Amen!!!!!! I feel sooooo much as you do Lisa. Thank you — lovely beautiful review!
And thank you for our friendship as well ❤️📕" And thank you Elyse! ❤️
Did not realize the sooki essay was part of this book. Now I really need to read it soon!!! Moving it up on my list
Leslye wrote: "Did not realize the sooki essay was part of this book. Now I really need to read it soon!!! Moving it up on my list" Yes, and it is so wonderful to listen to.
Maureen wrote: "Hoping this one’s under the tree for me Christmas morning."I hope so too! What a great gift.
Perfect review!
