Visiting Ann Patchett's Book Store In Nashville
plus a birthday book haul!
I spent the last week visiting my family in Tennessee for the 4th of July and my birthday on the 9th. (Cancer season, baby!)
Thinking about how to spend my perfect birthday, I knew it would include three things: books, a bunch of birthday freebies, and a big ol’ gluten-free, dairy-free cake!
Visiting Ann Patchett’s bookstore has been on my to-do list since last year, but I hadn’t found the motivation to make the 1.5-hour car ride from my family’s house. My birthday was the perfect excuse to make the trip, so I planned the rest of the day around it.
My primary goal was to get a signed copy of Tom Lake, since it’s my first and, so far, favorite book of hers, but I borrowed a library copy when I read it.
My secondary goal was to see Ann herself...
Here is the story behind Parnassus, as explained on their website:
“In Greek mythology, Mount Parnassus was the home of literature, learning, and music. We are Nashville's Parnassus, providing a refuge for Nashvillians of all ages who share in our love of the written word. We provide a venue for writers to connect with readers, and for readers to connect with books. We strive to complement and contribute to the rich cultural character of Nashville, the Athens of the South.”
The building is tucked away inside a plaza in Nashville’s Green Hills neighborhood. The outside simply does not do justice to how adorable this bookstore is on the inside.
Inside, they had merchandise for a few of Ann’s books, like this painted Tom Lake tote bag:
The displays were, of course, adorable.
They were currently hosting a teen reading series on Scythe by Neil Shusterman, which is the first book in one of my favorite YA series, Arc of the Scythe.
I was obsessed with this tiny display featuring miniature versions of Ann’s books.
After a quick scan of the place, I quickly realized that Ann herself was not there. However, the staff at the bookstore was incredibly friendly.
One of the employees informed me that not only do they have an entire wall of Ann’s books, but every book by her in the store was signed!
It was clear she was used to fans coming in and was excited to show me around. She asked what my favorite book by Ann Patchett is, and I told her that so far, I have only read Tom Lake and The Dutch House, but I also have Run on my bookshelf.
I knew I was going to purchase a signed copy of Tom Lake to live on my shelves, since I had borrowed mine from the library, but I was torn between buying a signed copy of Bel Canto or Commonwealth. The employee told me Commonwealth is her favorite, so I picked up a paperback copy.
In addition to Ann’s, they had tons of signed book copies on display. The employee also informed me that all of their author-signed books came at no extra cost!
This is when I came across a signed copy of Bride by Ali Hazelwood, which I am currently in the middle of reading from a library loan on my Kindle.
Along with my list of freebies (Starbucks, Sephora, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Taco Bell), my birthday happened to land during Target Circle Week, meaning buy 2 get 1 free on all books! This is where I purchased To Kill a Mockingbird for my upcoming book club, The Women by Kristin Hannah, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.
Overall, a pretty great birthday!
And it all came full circle at the airport as I was flying back home and spotted a Parnassus Bookstore location inside Terminal A/B!
**Note: Ann’s books at the airport are not signed; I checked, so it's still worth the trip over to Green Hills.
Commonwealth is my favorite too! What a great trip and happy belated birthday. I need to pick-up Tom Lake. Hope it’s good!