Discover the best Ann Patchett books (both fiction and nonfiction) that you can’t miss from her vast catalog. This bestselling, award-winning, famous author is known for her multi-layered stories, complex characters, and beautiful prose that makes the ordinary in life feel extraordinary. She excels at taking realistic characters, placing them in unique circumstances, and exploring what happens next.
I’ve read nearly all of her books, and she’s my favorite author. You’ll learn where to start, what to read based on your preferences and needs, and more. Whether you’re fresh off reading one you loved or new to her novels, this list will help you find your next literary obsession.
Best of the Best Ann Patchett Books: Where to Start
TOP PICKS
According to GoodReads and Amazon review data, The Dutch House is Ann Patchett’s most widely read book. It is also my personal favorite. While Truth & Beauty isn’t her most widely read non fiction, it’s her most compelling memoir — a deep dive into a difficult yet remarkable real-life friendship I couldn’t put down.
Top 5 Ann Patchett Books Ranked by My Recommended Reading Order
|
Rank |
Title |
My Rating |
Best For |
|
1 |
★★★★★ |
fans of Read With Jenna’s Book Club picks and audiobook listeners (Tom Hanks narrates) | |
|
2 |
★★★★★ |
memoir readers | |
|
3 |
★★★★★ |
Fans of Reese’s Book Club picks and audiobook listeners (Meryl Streep narrates) | |
|
4 |
★★★★☆ |
fans of award-winning literary fiction | |
|
5 |
★★★★☆ |
fans of literary fiction and family sagas |
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Tips for Reading Ann Patchett
TIPS
- Reading Order: Ann Patchett’s books are standalones that can technically be read in any order.
- Best Novel: Though I and many readers prefer The Dutch House, Bel Canto is widely considered to be Ann Patchett’s best novel. This award-winning novel was named one of the New York Times’s best books of the 21st century.
- New Book: The latest Ann Patchett book is Tom Lake, which is a Reese’s book club pick that was released on August 8, 2023.
- Authors like Ann Patchett: If you want to branch out, consider Elizabeth Strout, Richard Russo, Barbara Kingsolver, and Celeste Ng books.
My Reviews of Ann Patchett’s Must-Reads
#1: The Dutch House (2019)
Plot Summary: The Dutch House is essentially about an unbreakable sibling bond. After the Conroy family moves into “The Dutch House” outside of Philadelphia, Maeve becomes like Danny’s mother as they grow through decades of life and often return to the nostalgia of their childhood home.
Why It’s a Must-Read The Dutch House is a book that gives you “all the feels,” especially if you love a good family saga novel as much as I do. It offers the nostalgia of growing up and tenderly explores themes of grief, wallowing in the past, forgiveness, parenthood, and sibling love. Narrated empathetically by actor Tom Hanks, it’s also one of the best audiobooks of all time and one of the top books of the 21st century that I recommend most often to readers. The ending gave me chills.
Related Posts: The Dutch House Review | The Dutch House Book Club Questions
#2: Truth & Beauty (2004)
Description: Truth & Beauty is the famous author’s very real and raw, yet stunning, story of the often difficult friendship she had with another writer, Lucy Grealy, who was disfigured and also struggled with such problems as addiction.
Why It’s a Must-Read: This book is lesser-known, but I couldn’t put down (er, pause) the audiobook, narrated in Patchett’s soothing voice. She writes every “character,” herself included, with a multitude of complex layers and offers life lessons from which everyone can learn through her unique relationship. While all of Patchett’s nonfiction is excellent, this deep dive (versus essays) immerses the reader more deeply.
It reminded me of the Firefly Lane book series, two of Kristin Hannah’s best books, but a lot darker.
Reading Tip: Pair it with Lucy Grealy’s version of her story, Autobiography of a Face.
#3. Tom Lake (2023)
Plot Summary: In Tom Lake, it’s Spring 2020, and Lara’s three daughters visit the family’s Northern Michigan orchard, where they ask her to retell the story of the famous actor with whom she once shared both the stage (in Our Town) and a love affair.
Why It’s a Must-Read: This book about mothers is both a family drama and a story of love and its various forms, including a mother’s love. It’s both immersive and captivating, methodically revealing parts of a mother’s life that her children didn’t experience with her. I highly recommend this exquisitely written bestseller to any reader.
Related Posts: Tom Lake Summary and Character Guide | Book Review of Tom Lake | Tom Lake Book Club Questions
#4. Bel Canto (2001)
Plot Summary: Bel Canto translates to “beautiful singing.” Set “somewhere” in South America, a famed opera singer performs as a group of amateur guerillas storm in to kidnap the president. When they find out he’s not there, they hold the party guests hostage.
Over time, they all begin to interact, and this forms the basis of the story of what happens when you place these very different characters into the same room.
Why It’s a Must-Read: It’s one of Jenna Bush Hager’s favorite books and, in fact, many people I know rate it as their favorite book of all time. It was slower paced for me, though, than the books I rated above it. Thus, it works well for fans of slow burns and character-driven novels.
Reading Tip: For a unique way to read this book with special insights, try Patchett’s annotated copy of Bel Canto or the 2018 adaptation starring Julianne Moore.
#5. Commonwealth (2016)
Plot Summary: Commonwealth tells the story of how a romantic encounter changes the lives of two families. After Bert Cousins attends Franny Keating’s christening party uninvited, he kisses Franny’s mother, Beverly. Over five decades, their marriages dissolve, and the two families are joined.
When Franny is in her 20s, she tells author Leon Posen about her family, and it forms the basis of a book, forcing the family to deal with the events of their lives.
Why It’s a Must-Read: This unique twist involving Posen is what makes this family drama so special, and only Ann Patchett could have done it the justice it deserves. It makes for a memorable reading experience you won’t soon forget.
Ann Patchett’s Book List: A Free Printable PDF
ANN PATCHETT’S BOOKS IN ORDER
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About Award-Winning Author Ann Patchett
about
Ann Patchett is a bestselling American author known for her emotionally layered literary fiction. She studied at Sarah Lawrence College and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and co-owns Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee.
Watch my vlog of visiting Parnassus Books on Youtube:
In 2012, Patchett was named one of the top 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. She was also awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2021 “for putting into words the beauty, pain, and complexity of human nature.”
If you want to hear more from Patchett herself, I recommend the following podcast episodes in which she’s interviewed: Open Book With Jenna (Bush Hager) and Books, Beach, and Beyond (With Elin Hilderbrand).
Recap: Why Ann Patchett is Worth Reading
The best Ann Patchett books showcase multi-layered stories, complex characters, and beautiful prose that makes the ordinary in life feel extraordinary.
START HERE
- Fiction: The Dutch House
- Non Fiction: Truth & Beauty
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
I think one of Ann’s fun works is “These precious days”!! I am glad you were able to visit Nashville!!! Parnassus is such a beautiful space and it gives me so much joy to know that others enjoy that space as much as I do!!
That’s an amazing one. So powerful and, as always, so well written. Parnassus was #1 on my list and it exceeded all my expectations. It was so nice to see such a vibrant and bustling bookstore in action. I actually just placed another order from there!
Oh Yey!!!! I love what you are doing with the quiz and the new categories for different authors!! I am just exploring the rest of your blog and I love how everything is looking!!! Not that you need my approval, but just know that I am a fan of the content thus far.
Thank you! You made me smile today!!
The Magician’s Assistant is very much a must read.