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emma's Reviews > Tom Lake
Tom Lake
by
by
emma's review
bookshelves: non-ya, literary-fiction, owned, recommend, 5-stars, favorites-2023, reviewed
Mar 07, 2023
bookshelves: non-ya, literary-fiction, owned, recommend, 5-stars, favorites-2023, reviewed
the best thing a book can be is:
- about family
- written by ann patchett
the other best thing a book can be is:
- among the absolute fraction of things i read that magically, miraculously, divinely qualifies as 5 stars.
this is both.
i had no idea it was the great dream of my life to have three daughters and spend my days with them and my husband and a rescue dog picking cherries and telling stories in our orchard in michigan, but this was too damn dreamy for that not to be the case.
it's too auspicious, encountering my second beloved michigan cherry book. plus they're my favorite fruit. i will hereby be retiring from the review game in order to dedicate my life to google maps-ing "fruit trees accompanied by white farmhouses near lakes."
this book was strange and imperfect, kind of bumpy and (bizarrely) poorly edited and uncompelling in spots, but...i never stopped wanting to be reading it.
whenever i'm in my dear lovely favorite independent bookstore, i have a careful(ish) allowance. i can buy as many books from the on-sale rescue-these-books-from-remainder-table as my charitable heart desires, but i can only buy one full-price hardcover.
this was that one.
i chose really, really well.
bottom line: sometimes you think you'll love a book, and then you do. that feeling never gets old.
- about family
- written by ann patchett
the other best thing a book can be is:
- among the absolute fraction of things i read that magically, miraculously, divinely qualifies as 5 stars.
this is both.
i had no idea it was the great dream of my life to have three daughters and spend my days with them and my husband and a rescue dog picking cherries and telling stories in our orchard in michigan, but this was too damn dreamy for that not to be the case.
it's too auspicious, encountering my second beloved michigan cherry book. plus they're my favorite fruit. i will hereby be retiring from the review game in order to dedicate my life to google maps-ing "fruit trees accompanied by white farmhouses near lakes."
this book was strange and imperfect, kind of bumpy and (bizarrely) poorly edited and uncompelling in spots, but...i never stopped wanting to be reading it.
whenever i'm in my dear lovely favorite independent bookstore, i have a careful(ish) allowance. i can buy as many books from the on-sale rescue-these-books-from-remainder-table as my charitable heart desires, but i can only buy one full-price hardcover.
this was that one.
i chose really, really well.
bottom line: sometimes you think you'll love a book, and then you do. that feeling never gets old.
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Reading Progress
March 7, 2023
– Shelved
September 13, 2023
–
Started Reading
September 15, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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Emma Griffioen
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Aug 20, 2023 09:03AM
agreed!
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I also teetered and eventually went with 5 stars, but that may have been due to Meryl Streep's excellent audiobook narration.
^^^ i'm with this person. meryl streep's narration made it an easy 5 stars for me
well now my immediate desire to reread is even stronger. meryl narrated the audiobook?????
Lol I’m the opposite of you, I listened to the audiobook and then bought a signed hardcover copy. So that’ll be my first time “reading” it
I finished the audiobook several days ago and still feel this book wrapped around me. Being a woman of a certain age whose college age children reluctantly spent many months at home during the pandemic, I found parts of this book so relatable. Although my early life was not nearly as interesting as hers! Patiently waiting for you full review Emma.
It took me a while to get into the story but as it progressed I was ALL in. Meryl Streep was the perfect narrator and I could feel her wrapping me in a blanket and lighting a fire as she read. The perfect person to play “Cricket”.
So glad this one works better for you than it did for me. Love seeing the 5⭐rating from you, even if it wasn't one for me.
I’m sure Streep is wonderful… but to read every word Patchett writes… and go back to savor a paragraph just because it’s PERFECT….
have you read the dutch house by her? its one of my favs
yes yes yes yes yes
Nicole wrote: "yes yes yes yes yes"yesssss
emma griffioen! wrote: "have you read the dutch house by her? its one of my favs"DUTCH HOUSE EXCELLENCE
Susan wrote: "I’m sure Streep is wonderful… but to read every word Patchett writes… and go back to savor a paragraph just because it’s PERFECT…."1000%
Terrie wrote: "So glad this one works better for you than it did for me. Love seeing the 5⭐rating from you, even if it wasn't one for me."this is so nice :') thank you
Shauna wrote: "It took me a while to get into the story but as it progressed I was ALL in. Meryl Streep was the perfect narrator and I could feel her wrapping me in a blanket and lighting a fire as she read. The ..."lovely!!!
Amy wrote: "I finished the audiobook several days ago and still feel this book wrapped around me. Being a woman of a certain age whose college age children reluctantly spent many months at home during the pand..."even as a college age child who found myself unwillingly at home during the pandemic i could relate!!
Emma wrote: "Lol I’m the opposite of you, I listened to the audiobook and then bought a signed hardcover copy. So that’ll be my first time “reading” it"we are as always soul sisters in a way
I loved it too. Funny how quiet books can sneak up on you and captivate you thoroughly, when noisier or showy books sometimes leave me cold.
this wonderful review made me add it to my tbr pile without even reading the blurb
Ann Patchett has the best way of romanticizing the mundane and turning it into a dream I never knew I needed. I read this on vacation and just couldn’t stop reading.
You’re totally right. Even when it was “un compelling” it was still so comforting and lovely. Like a warm cup of coffee and a blanket. Definitely worthy of a five-star rating.
Tom Lake is the best narrated book I've listened to.
Tamea wrote: "Tom Lake is the best narrated book I've listened to."now i need an audio reread
Julia wrote: "You’re totally right. Even when it was “un compelling” it was still so comforting and lovely. Like a warm cup of coffee and a blanket. Definitely worthy of a five-star rating."i couldn't agree more!
Kateland wrote: "Ann Patchett has the best way of romanticizing the mundane and turning it into a dream I never knew I needed. I read this on vacation and just couldn’t stop reading."she really, really does
Lulufrances wrote: "this wonderful review made me add it to my tbr pile without even reading the blurb"i'm honored!
Lizzy wrote: "This one is in my TBR pile!"i hope you love it!
Maggie wrote: "I loved it too. Funny how quiet books can sneak up on you and captivate you thoroughly, when noisier or showy books sometimes leave me cold."beautifully said
I just bought this book and I can't wait to read it!
Great review. Nailed it. I’m curious what parts you found “un-compelling” … I actually agree with this. I found the first half of the book to be absolutely fantastic. Like…. So, so good.
Especially the first chapter, I thought was incedible.
I did seem like the story telling lost some steam in the back half, and began to slow and meander a bit as the summer stock theatre situation dissolved.
Overall, I loved this novel and Patchett delivered.
I completely agree...such a lovely book!
Another great read. Doesn’t disappoint! I read the Dutch House (very good book!). This was also a great story within a story. Highly recommend 👌😊💕
Very surprising you didn't use proper capitalization and sentence structure in your review! Makes it hard reading/understanding.
So true! I agree with every word you said.
Did you find reading Our Town enhanced your reading experience of Tom Lake? Or was necessary for understanding?
I read Our Town before reading this and it really did enhance my enjoyment of the book.
i wonder if "carol" should be the new "karen"
