Tom Lake

Bookseller recommendation

“This is a heartwarming story, about likeable people, who figured out what was important in life and chose not glitter but substance. A lovely story.”

— Deon • Sunriver Books & Music

Bookseller recommendation

“For anyone who loves quiet, reflective fiction that hits on essential life truths, this is a must read. During the 2020 pandemic, a mother tells her daughters about the life-changing summer when she dated an actor before he became famous. This premise leads to an exploration of family ties, a reflection on our search for purpose, and a celebration of how painfully precious life is. Yes, Meryl Streep’s narration is perfect. ”

— Colleen • Read Between the Lynes

Bookseller recommendation

“This beautiful story takes place during the pandemic, and during this time Lara's three daughters have returned home to the family farm. Lara begins telling her life story and her daughters' story weaves throughout. Beautifully written and Meryl Streep is a fantastic narrator. I loved this beautiful story! ”

— Dani • Bright Side Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“In Tom Lake by Anne Patchett a mother tells her grown (or nearly grown) daughters of a summer long before she was married when she had an affair with a now famous actor when they stared together in a summer production of Our Town. Patchett interlaces the tale of the pas - told to the girls while they pick cherries on the family farm during the pandemic - with present moments, letting us get to know Lara and her fledging daughters. It is a story about storytelling and love of all kinds; maternal, marital, fleeting, abiding. It’s a rumination on place and where we find ourselves, about secret pasts and unknowable futures. I loved that it was sweet but not saccharine and while it could be described as quiet it held several surprises. ”

— Sarah • A Great Good Place for Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This story takes place in Michigan, which is always a bonus for me as a reader. The setting is during the pandemic but revolves around Lara's early life as an actress and her relationship with a man who later becomes a famous actor. Lara is retelling that experience in small doses to her three daughters. It is a story about relationships, disappointments, and the blessings of a good marriage. I listened to this story as an audiobook and what could be better than a story by Ann Patchett read by Meryl Streep?”

— Paula • Schuler Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Remember the scene in Mama Mia where Meryl Streep is brushing Amanda Seyfried's hair as they get her ready for her wedding day? Nostalgic music plays in the background as they look through old photos and reminisce together. Watching it you feel cozy and warm and loved. Well that is EXACTLY how reading Tom Lake made me feel. Ann Patchett did a beautiful job of creating a story where you are entranced by the events of the past and engaged with the relationships of the present. In a world and time of stories filled with regrets and missed opportunities it was refreshing to read a novel where the heroine recognizes her life isn't what she thought it would be, but is so grateful it turned out the way it did. Perfect for mothers, daughters, and everyone else. ”

— Michelle • Quail Ridge Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Ann Patchett weaves a story like no one else. This audiobook is read by Meryl Streep takes you on a journey of past and present intertwined with memories and hopes of a family. Highly recommended. ”

— Cathy • Sorensen Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I just finished listening to Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and I cannot say enough good things about this book! How I have not discovered Ann Patchett before, I will never know, but this book had me in so many feelings over the past 10 days. Set during the pandemic on a Michigan cherry farm, the family is working hard picking cherries and keeping the farm going during unprecedented times. As they work, the 3 adult daughters ask their mom to tell them the story of the famous movie star that she shared the stage and a relationship with back in her youth. Meryl Streep brings the characters to life and I felt like I was picking cherries right there with them, a part of the family. I felt nostalgia for a life that I never lived, for the life my own mother lived before me, and for my life before my daughter and how her understanding of me will change as she grows. I felt like I was the daughter, coming to the realization of the humanity of my parents in a way kids don't really understand themselves until they are older. If felt like I was the mother who lived, loved, lost, learned, and grew before my own daughter was born. I wanted to call up my mom and propose we go pick cherries so she can tell me about her young adult life and I could understand her soul the way I understood Lara's.”

— Jean • Books on Main

Bookseller recommendation

“This is a story of love for family, of past passions and people once loved, and their continuing influence on the present. With Ann Patchett’s wit and wryness finely tuned, Tom Lake is the perfect book for a summer weekend read.”

— Jenny Stroyeck • The Homer Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“Sad to have this story end. I enjoyed it on Libro.fm, with narration by Meryl Streep - two for the price of one in this case! Excellent story of a happy mother and wife recalling her younger life as an actress and her relationship with an actor. I could envision all that occurred while listening to this beautiful story! ”

— Nona • CoffeeTree Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I finished listening to Tom Lake. I can see why it’s at the top of the best seller list. Ann Patchett has a way of weaving so much into a straightforward story. Set during the pandemic, Lara’s three adult daughters have returned to the family’s cherry orchard in Michigan to quarantine and harvest the fruit. Lara entertains them by sharing the story of her acting career and brief relationship with a man who went on to be a movie star. I still prefer her essays and Bel Canto, but this story is quite enjoyable. ”

— Amy • A Great Good Place for Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I just started Ann Patchett’s new book, Tom Lake, which opens at auditions for a community theater production of Our Town in a small New Hampshire town that takes the play very much to heart. I’m already in love with the book, and its nostalgic feel of young love, mothers and daughters, and the juxtaposition of past and present. Added bonus: Meryl Streep reads the audiobook! A beautiful and moving novel, Tom Lake is wonderfully set against the backdrop of Thornton Wilder’s 1938 classic American play. Ann Patchett is a one of my favorite contemporary American writers; this book doesn’t disappoint! ”

— Genevieve • A Great Good Place for Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This is a story of love for family, of past passions and people once loved, and their continuing influence on the present. With Ann Patchett’s wit and wryness finely tuned, Tom Lake is the perfect book for a summer weekend read.”

— Jenny • The Homer Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“Tom Lake was such a beautiful journey of a book! We're in the Summer of 2020 in a family farm in Michigan, where Lara tells stories of her youth to her three daughters, who desperately want to know about their mom's love affair with a famous actor. So we're also in the late 80s, travelling with Lara around New Hampshire, Los Angeles, New York, and mostly Michigan where she spends a summer acting in a play at Tom Lake. It's a summer of work, friendship, love and betrayals, during which Lara learned a lot and grew more and more into adulthood. Tom Lake is a soothing novel, where love in its various forms is beautifully depicted, and where life ends up making sense despite all the chaos it sometimes feels like. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Meryl Streep, and what a joy it has been! Thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC! ”

— Marie • Emma's Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“The audiobook is perhaps one of the best I've listened to in a while. Meryl Streep is the *perfect* narrator because you feel like she is telling her own story, had it gone slightly differently (young actress, three daughters). Savored every second of it.”

— Kimi • Buttonwood Books and Toys

Bookseller recommendation

“I'm pretty sure we could listen to Meryl Streep read the phone book. Lucky for us, she is reading the latest novel by the incomparable Ann Patchett. Tom Lake is both a snapshot of time suspended during the pandemic, and a coming of age tale. I couldn't bear to speed up any of it, because the listening experience was so enjoyable. ”

— Kelli • The Novel Neighbor

Bookseller recommendation

“Not only is this a phenomenal book of generational story telling, but MERYL STREEP IS NARRATING!!! She brings the characters to life. From her laugh to her tone; her character as Lara is spot on. She is engaging and motherly but keeps secrets to herself. This book transforms you to the essence of Traverse City, Michigan with the breeziness and humility of a true Northerner. Even the father, who has a small part in the novel is brought to life, I absolutely adored him. Looking for the perfect read to listen to in a hammock...this is the one! ”

— Amy • Plumfield Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Storytelling at its very best!! Set during the pandemic summer of 2020 when they are toiling at harvesting the cherries on their Michigan farm during the lock-down, a mother regales her three 20-something daughters the story of her youth when she dated an actor who would later become famous. The performance of Meryl Streep, who reads this audio book, is just phenomenal! ”

— Anne • Newtonville Books

Bookseller recommendation

“The power of Ann and Meryl is undeniable. Wow, wow, wow. The audio of this book was literally a movie in my head. Obviously Meryl Streep is a phenom in her own right, but her voice to this story crafted by Ann Patchett blew me away. Having been raised in northern Michigan myself, with a father from Detroit and a mother from Grosse Pointe I felt like this story was crafted for me. I have yet to read a better love letter to the magic that is northern Michigan in the summertime. Lara's story is beautiful and I think a wonderful show of all that is to grow into yourself as a young woman. It relishes the good, the bad, the ugly, and spits you out the other side feeling that connection to womanhood and the experience of raising yourself through adulthood. I cannot recommend this audio enough! The perfect read for all lovers of summer, and especially northern Michigan. ”

— Katie • McLean & Eakin Booksellers

Bookseller recommendation

“Does anyone *need* to be encouraged to listen to Meryl Streep read Ann Patchett? Probably not. But Streep, you’ll be unsurprised to hear, does a magnificent job with the nostalgia, the nuance and the Our Town of it all, bringing Patchett’s vivid past-and-present story to unforgettable life. ”

— Abby • Booked

Bookseller recommendation

“Meryl Streep draws you into the family life beautifully portrayed by Ann Patchett as Lara weaves her story of a summer romance with a movie star. Meryl's narration is warm and engaging. ”

— Barb • Maria's Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“Once again, Patchett does her thing. Expertly read. ”

— Kristine • Buttonwood Books and Toys