These Precious Days: Essays (Signed!) [B1481]

2021 signed HCDJ in nice clean condition. The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays. As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores "what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self." When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks' short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman--Tom's brilliant assistant Sooki--with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both. A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer's eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be. Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author's grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark--and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Have you ever read a book and wished you had 10 more copies that you could immediately give away to people you know would love it? This is the book. After reading countless mysteries and beach reads of late, I needed something real."; "Ann Patchett's writing feels like being wrapped in a cozy blanket with a cup of tea and a cat on your lap."; "I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection, especially Three Fathers and These Precious Days. Patchett reveals so much of her life and character in these pages. Her friendships are so important to her, and she and her husband are so generous with sharing their home and time and caring for people. Ann Patchett is someone I would love to be friends with. "