Tom Lake

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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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