Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another edition of The Avid Reader. Brought to you by my independent book store, Wellington Square Bookshop. Ann’s is Parnassus Books in Nashville.
So our guest is Ann Patchett who really needs no introduction, but I’ll give one anyway.

Anne has written seven novels including The Magician’s Assistant, State of Wonder and of course Bel Canto.

She’s been the recipient of the Orange Prize, The PEN Faulkner award. And have been NYT Notable books, and so many awards.

Ann’s latest novel is The Dutch House, which will be released tomorrow!



But if you want to be one of the first ones to get a signed copy and to hear part of the book and ask questions about it, you can hear all about it from Ann herself at the Free Library downtown tomorrow, Tuesday the 24th at 7:30.
And if you miss that you can see her at Congregation Keneseth Israel (where I was Bar Mitzvah and also ejected with my brother from Saturday services in front of 2000 people) on Wednesday the 25th from 9:30-11:30 in the morning.

The Dutch House, as in many of Ann’s work, explores the intricacies and emotional upheavals of a family. The story is set in Elkins Park about 30 minutes from where I sit and is very nostalgic for me. I have many connections with that place and that time. But the book’s real main character is a house, an extraordinary house with a history that suffuses, permeates the lives of everyone we meet.

And with that, welcome Ann and thanks so much for joining us today.