Amway

There’s a moment in her appearance at Seattle Arts and Lectures where Ann Patchett describes the Peter Dukes of her twenties (Peter Duke is a character from her new novel).  And she charms the audience by describing how one young man charmed her by pretending to sell Amway. Later in the conversation with Melinda French Gates, Gates makes reference to Amway and Patchett says, “That’s going to be your take away?!” 

My take-away is going to be the fabulous list of recommendations she peppers throughout her interview. And of course I’ll be anxiously awaiting my own copy of Tom Lake arriving from Elliott Bay Book Company, a bonus perk of supporting SAL.

 

Ann Patchett recommends….

Monsters by Claire Dederer

Do Tell by Lindsay Lynch

Swing Time and The Fraud by Zadie Smith

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

James by Percival Everett

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

Absolution by Alice McDermott

Fool for Love by Sam Shephard

The Cherry Orchard by Anton Checkhov

Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy

The Orchid Thief and The Library Book and On Animals by Susan Orlean

The Magician’s Elephant and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and The Beatryce Prophecy and The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo

WooHoo! You’re Doing Great! Sandra Boynton

The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates