Tom Lake

Bookseller recommendation

“Narrated by Meryl Streep - of course, the narration was perfect. This book is one of those that stays with you a long time. The characters have a lot of depth and their growth (or not) over the years of the story reflect the real complexity of relationships at different times of life. It’s a beautiful story, sometimes sad. Highly recommend listening to this one!”

— Kelly • The Tiny Bookshop

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

“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

“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

“With its vivid descriptions of lake swimming, cherry picking fruit trees and orchards, it makes a fine spring or summer read. Both a coming of age and an “of age” story deftly pieced together, and told all at once. A book about finding out who you are, the right and wrong turns that help you determine what you value, and then living with the choices you make. Unforgettable characters, whose experiences and wisdom (or lack of it) stick with you long after the last page. ”

— Matthew • The Common Good

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

“Perfect book, perfect reader in Meryl Streep! Patchett's lovely book about a protagonist's tale to her daughters about a long-ago life in the theater and love affair with a now-famous actor is beautifully narrated. Streep 'gets' and delivers each sentence with a rare humor and poignancy. It's better than a night at the theater!”

— Kelly • Raven Book Store

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

“This book is perfectly read by Meryl Streep!”

— Kelly • Beyond Words Bookshop

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

“Meryl Streep as a narrator? YES PLEASE. Plus, a magical story around love, theater, family, and surviving the COVID-19 pandemic. Magical cherry orchards, simple slow living. A joy of a story. ”

— Karlie • Novel Bay Booksellers

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