In this episode, we continue to read the book "This is a story of a Happy Marriage" by Ann Patchett which is collection of her essays.

We read and discuss two essays in this episode - Essay 10 - “The Wall”, Essay 11 - “Fact vs. Fiction” and Essay 12 - "My Life in Sales"

In “The Wall,” Ann Patchett describes learning to climb a rock wall, which at first feels impossible. As she gains skill and confidence, the wall becomes a symbol for overcoming life’s bigger challenges. The essay shows that with patience, focus, and courage, we can achieve things that once seemed out of reach.

In “Fact vs. Fiction,” Ann Patchett explains the key differences between writing true stories and making up fictional ones. She shows that while nonfiction demands accuracy, fiction allows imagination and freedom. Both, however, are powerful ways to share meaning and connect with readers.

In “My Life in Sales,” Ann Patchett shares how being a writer also means becoming a salesperson for your own books. She explains that promoting your work is necessary, even if it’s uncomfortable. Mary describes this essay as palate cleanser. Shubhi and Annapurna believe all work is sales work internal or external.

Please do tune in to listen to our very interesting discussion.

In this episode, we continue to read the book "This is a story of a Happy Marriage" by Ann Patchett which is collection of her essays.

We read and discuss two essays in this episode - Essay 8 - “Tennessee” and Essay 9 - “On Responsibility”.

In “Tennessee,” Ann Patchett reflects on her strong connection to her home state, especially Nashville. She shares how the place has shaped her life, values, and writing. The essay also highlights her decision to stay rooted there by opening Parnassus Books, showing her love for her community and commitment to supporting local literature.

In “On Responsibility,” Ann Patchett reflects on caring for her aging grandmother and her sick dog. Through these experiences, she explores what it means to show up for others, even when it’s hard. The essay highlights how responsibility can be both challenging and deeply meaningful.

In this episode we discuss this book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. It’s a mystery novel told from the perspective of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism, who investigates the mysterious death of a neighbor’s dog.

This book stands out because some of us have close relatives we’ve observed closely. Many authors struggle to depict this accurately, often relying on assumptions, but this book comes remarkably close to reflecting the behaviors we’ve witnessed firsthand.

Autism is often misunderstood and misrepresented, with many assuming it’s just about social difficulties or intellectual disability. In reality, it’s a spectrum with diverse experiences, including unique strengths, sensory sensitivities, and different ways of thinking. Media and stereotypes often oversimplify or exaggerate traits, leading to misconceptions.

Please do tell us if you liked this book and why?