It's hard to escape the influence of one of my favorite authors, Anne Patchett.

Anne is prolific. She is a number one New York Times bestselling author, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize,

and was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time

magazine. She's written acclaimed novels like The Dutch House, which was a read with Jenna bookpick,

and Belle Canto, which is one of her most beloved novels and happens to be one of my favorite

books of all time. Anne is gifting the world with a special annotated version of Bell Canto

after nearly two decades since its publication. Anne is gifting the world with a special annotated version of Belconto after nearly two decades

since its publication.

Anne is also written picture books and our latest children's book, The Verts, tells the special

story of two siblings, one an extrovert, one an introvert, who learned to celebrate and honor

their differences.

In 2011, she entered the next chapter of her

career and opened Pernassus Books, an independent bookstore in Nashville. She has become a spokesperson

for independent booksellers and bookstores, and one of her greatest gifts to readers is her ability

to give the perfect book recommendation. I sat down with

Anne to talk about how she knew she wanted to write from a young age, what it was like to

revisit Belconto after 20 years, and the very first book she fell in love with. I'm Jenna Bush-Hager.

Welcome to my podcast, Open Book with Jenna.

Yeah. Welcome to my podcast, Open Book with Jenna. And I'm so happy to be with you.

I'm always happy to be with you, Jenna. You know how much I adore you. Likewise. I feel like I'm so happy to be with you. I'm always happy to be with you, Jenna.

You know how much I adore you.

Likewise.

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