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Ann Patchett

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Woman Looking at Books in Bookstore, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Arts Dec 09

Literary critics reveal their favorite books of 2025

By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport, Simon Epstein, Daria Nastasia

Arts Dec 09

Books mixed and seen from above Paris
14 best books of 2025, according to these experts

Jeffrey Brown talked with Maureen Corrigan, book critic for NPR’s Fresh Air, and author Ann Patchett about their top picks this year.

By Jeffrey Brown, Daria Nastasia, Anne Azzi Davenport

Arts Oct 28

37th National Equal Justice Awards Dinner
$50M Literary Arts Fund will support independent publishers and nonprofits

Citing a chronic shortage of financial backing for independent publishers and nonprofits dedicated to writing and reading, a coalition of seven charitable foundations has established a Literary Arts Fund that will distribute a minimum of $50 million over the next…

By Hillel Italie, Associated Press

Arts Jul 21

Older lady reading at the pool
12 books to dive into this summer, according to our literary experts

Here are some ideas to help you choose your next read.

By Jeffrey Brown, Azhar Merchant, Anne Azzi Davenport

Arts Jun 20

GettyImages-1883969761 [Converted]-01
Need a summer read? Here are 17 books from our experts

If you’re lucky enough to have a quiet place to retreat from the heat this summer, we’ve got a symphony of suggestions for novels and nonfiction to keep you entertained.

By Jeffrey Brown, Lena I. Jackson

Aug 17

Watch 8:07
Ann Patchett on the inspirations for her latest novel, ‘Tom Lake’

By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport

Amid the pandemic, a woman tells her three now-grown daughters a story of her youth, a love affair, a path she might have taken but didn’t. While they, in turn, tell her of their hopes and fears for the future.

Continue watching

Mar 23

Watch 5:34
What to read while staying home, from author Ann Patchett

As Americans stay home to try to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, we wanted to provide suggestions for how to fill that time. Author Ann Patchett joins Jeffrey Brown to offer book recommendations for this strange time, including…

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Dec 10

We read these 29 books in 2019. You should too

By Jeffrey Brown

As the year draws to a close, PBS NewsHour staff members suggest some of the books that made them slow down and enjoy reading this year.

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Dec 31

Watch 8:42
The best books of 2018, according to experts

In 2018, notable new books often reflected and supplemented conversations around current trends, topics and events. Author Ann Patchett and Washington Post book critic Carlos Lozada join Jeffrey Brown to share their favorite books of the year.

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Mar 12

Watch 3:05
How to retrain your shrinking attention span

By PBS News Hour

What’s the secret to writing novels? Or baking a perfect cake? Or even being a good friend? Author Ann Patchett says it’s all about the ability to stay focused and stop multitasking. Patchett gives her humble opinion on stretching your…

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Full Episode
Wednesday, Dec 17
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