Reviews

What Now? by Ann Patchett

bookhound's review

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

To learn to watch and to serve, to be alone and part of a group, to be taken in as part of a family- sometimes the things learned in unexpected places are what is required in later professional steps. 

jade's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

pzclark's review

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

kjord3985's review

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

dr_ari_reads's review

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

mschrock8's review

3.0

So much of her memories shared here remind me of sending Maddie to college a year ago.

Only three stars because it is so short. I want more.

vsesv's review

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

charity1313's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

I'm glad this was recorded for sharing with a wider audience. It was a unique take on a graduation speech. Will share soon. 

smallafterall's review

4.0

I gave this book to the two high school graduates in my life this year, and then re-read my own copy. Now I'm wishing I had underlined and highlighted parts in the copies I gave, because there are several places that I thought: yes! this! pay attention to this! life is like this and you might not think anyone else thinks so too!
Patchett continues to be one of my favorite writers, whether she's creating fictional worlds or reflecting on her own experiences. She writes elegantly without being overly writerly. This book is so short, it feels a bit like a ripoff to pay for it in hardcover, but I appreciate being able to give her words as a gift to someone else.

toniclark's review

4.0

This short book is based on a graduation address that Patchett gave at Sarah Lawrence College. It’s delightful and worth reading or listening to anytime. It’s a good idea to stop and reflect, to ask What Now? at many times in our lives, especially at times of transition. Patchett's advice is hopeful and inspiring, with a lot of good quotes, thoughts to ponder and remember. Here’s just one: "Sometimes the circumstances at hand force us to be braver than we actually are, and so we knock on doors and ask for assistance. Sometimes not having any idea where we're going works out better than we could possibly have imagined."

I see this slim book is $14.99 on Kindle. That's too much. The audio is very good, probably cheaper. I borrowed it from the library.