Patchett, Ann

Recalling the past at her daughters' request, Lara tells the story of a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance, which causes her daughters to examine their own lives and reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.

"A story about introverts and extroverts, and two siblings who learn to be themselves. The Vert family is celebrating a very special occasion: it's Ivan's birthday! And Estie knows that every birthday needs a great party, with lots of guests, party hats, and twinkling tin foil stars. Because that is what everyone wants on their birthday, right? But did Estie ever ask Ivan?"--OCLC.

"The . . . New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays"--Provided by publisher.

American author Ann Patchett examines her deepest commitments to writing, family, friends, dogs, books, and her husband, creating a portrait of her life.

"The Farmer family has a big problem! Every day their goat escapes, and every day, Mr. Farmer brings him back. So when things start to go awry on the farm, it must be the goat's fault. Who's to blame when Mrs. Farmer's petunias are trampled? Or when all the cupcakes for Archie's party disappear? And when the whole bucket of paint is spilled? Of course, everyone blames the goat! But is it really his fault?"--OCLC.

Rose comes to an unwed home for young mothers after her husband is killed in a car accident but she knows she will be unable to care for her child without his help. Yet by the time she delivers the baby she cannot go through with an adoption.

"At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves. Cyril's son Danny and his older sister Maeve are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another.

A flock of lambs mishears the word "landslide" as "lambslide" and begins a campaign to have one built for them on the farm.

"The story of two broken families and the paths their lives take over the course of 40 years, through love and marriage, death and divorce, and a dark secret from childhood that lies underneath it all"--Provided by publisher.

"The story of two broken families and the paths their lives take over the course of 40 years, through love and marriage, death and divorce, and a dark secret from childhood that lies underneath it all"--Provided by publisher.