"The elegance of Patchett's prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "An enviable life shared with candor, emotion, and knockout storytelling power." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Patchett's heart, smarts and 40 years of craft create an economy that delivers her perfectly understated stories emotionally whole. Her writing style is most gloriously her own." -- New York Times Book Review "Generous in spirit, animated by a positive outlook and someone who obviously relishes life." -- People "Ann Patchett is, above all, marvelous company." -- San Francisco Chronicle "Ms. Patchett's voice, equal parts, warm, wry and insightful, reels you in.

There's a freshness, an openness that never gets near over-sharing--and a humanity that never gets near sanctimony." -- Wall Street Journal "A beautiful reminder of what's important. There's a generosity in the way she not only looks at the world but invites the reader in to stay for a while." -- Washington Post "Witty and warm, the essays succeed because of Patchett's inimitable, endearing voice. Simplistic, generous without being cloying, accessible rather than anodyne, These Precious Days feels at once bracing and comforting." -- Boston Globe "A moving and memorable account of a brief but incandescent friendship." -- USA Today (four stars) "To read this collection is to be invited into that sacred space where a writer steps out from behind the page to say Hello; let's really get to know each other. Stoic, kindhearted, fierce, funny, brainy, Patchett's essays honor what matters most 'in this precarious and precious life.

'" -- Oprah Daily "A catalogue of all the unexpected ways love can look, if you're imaginative and brave enough to try it -- even while knowing that love and grief are two sides of the same coin." -- NPR.org "The mission of memoir is to bring back, at least on the page, lost loved ones, times past and places left behind, and Patchett brings to this reclamation project the abundant literary gifts that light up her nine novels. To that artisanship is added the electricity that only true stories have, the hot current of personal revelation and intimacy." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune "Splendid. These Precious Days overflows with life. It's warm and funny and smart and full of unexpected insights." -- Tampa Bay Times "Essential reading.

These Precious Days is a book to treasure." -- Toronto Star "To immerse oneself in her book is to see the world as she does, in all its wonder and beauty. Read it, cherish it, buy a copy for your best friend, then read it once more." -- Inews "An illuminating, engaging collection. These essays are at once a timely reminder that the days are precious--and a how-to guide for making them so." -- Irish Times "In this collection, readers will find humor, optimism, abundant joy and acceptance of loss, along with moments of laughter sprinkled with tears. Death is inevitable for all, so celebrate the precious moments with a sense of adventure, good books and great conversations with family and friends." -- Booktrib.