These Precious Days

Novelist Patchett (The Dutch House) delivers beautiful prose on modern life with honesty and humor in this memoiristic essay collection. When not looking back (at her life, friends, family), Patchett offers musings on the ins and outs of book cover design and the morality of consumerism, gleaned during her pandemic year in which she cleaned, purged, and refrained from shopping. Patchett’s poignant reflections are bolstered by her narration of the audiobook, which adds familiarity, depth, and personal connection. Her voice is soothing yet powerful and will inspire listeners to laugh out loud or nod in agreement as if she were telling the tale over a glass of wine at a dinner party. Fans of Patchett’s novels will love the peeks at her life and writing process, and fans of essays will enjoy this collection for its diversity and cohesiveness. Be ready to sit in the car for a few extra minutes or walk around the block one more time because you won’t want to pause mid-story.