A "Novel" Idea at Chicago's Lyric Opera

February 28, 2012

A newly-commissioned opera based on Ann Patchetts’ novel Bel Canto will have its world premiere at Chicago’s Lyric Opera during the 2015-16 season.  Opera star Renee Fleming said she selected her friend Ann Patchett’s book as the subject for the Lyric commission because she was moved by it and found it “opera-worthy.” “It’s about terrorism, on one level, but it’s also about what happens when people are forced to live together for a long time, and how art can raise their level of humanity as a group.” Read the entire article in this Arts & Entertainment section of the Chicago Tribune.

Laura


Ann Patchett’s Parnassus Books opens in Nashville

November 16, 2011

“I don’t know if I’m opening an ice shop in the age of Frigidaire, but I can’t live in a city that doesn’t have a bookstore.”

Ann Patchett

On the heels of the sad news that Bookman’s Alley will soon be closing, it may be of some comfort to hear about Parnassus Books, which is opening in Nashville. Co-owned by renowned author Ann Patchett and “publishing veteran” Karen Hayes, Parnassus Books will be “an independent bookstore for independent people.” Patchett sought advice from Daniel Godin, owner of Milwaukee’s Boswell Book Company. You can learn more about Parnassus Books here and here.


Return of the Independent Bookstore?

August 1, 2011

Best-selling author Ann Patchett is opening a new bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee to “connect with true book lovers”. According to Karen Hayes, who has teamed with Patchett to sell books: “There are times where even when it’s convenient to read on your e-reader, you want that printed word, you want that piece of art. You want it on your shelf. You want it in your hands. It just means something so special.” Patchett will be joining the ranks of several other well-known authors who own bookstores: Larry McMurtry, Louise Erdrich, and Garrison Keillor. Read more in this recent Chicago Sun-Times article.

Laura, Reader’s Services


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