What now?

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Based on her lauded commencement address at Sarah Lawrence College, this stirring essay by bestselling author Ann Patchett offers hope and inspiration for anyone at a crossroads, whether graduating, changing careers, or transitioning from one life stage to another. With wit and candor, Patchett tells her own story of attending college, graduating, and struggling with the inevitable question, What now?

From student to line cook to teacher to waitress and eventually to award-winning author, Patchett's own life has taken many twists and turns that make her exploration genuine and resonant. As Patchett writes, "'What now?' represents our excitement and our future, the very vitality of life." She highlights the possibilities the unknown offers and reminds us that there is as much joy in the journey as there is in reaching the destination.

This Book is a very motivating read. It really does spark deep thought. went through it quickly. The speech has some very important message for all of us at any stage of life.

Even though it is based on a commencement address she gave (don't let this put you off from reading it)., it is also a wonderful, compact, beautiful, tiny guide to life. I'm so glad I found this on my library's shelf. It is so true that, ultimately, life IS the best teacher. This little book is so much more that the sum total of its parts. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down.I love Ms. It would make a fabulous gift to give to friends and loved ones for any occasion. Patchett's books and was thrilled to get a glimpse into her own story, her path to becoming the great writer and person that she is.

Here earlier than expected and now to ready it for a book club at school.

"I just couldn't imagine living in a house with another person when so much of my life was spent sprawled across the sofa eyes wide open, saying nothing at all."This book is short, but full of words to live by with thanks for those who have guided her way. Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors. I loved her description in this book of how she discovered how to be one. It is delightfully highlighted with many photographs. Learning to stare figured into that and the now habit of staring also delayed her decision to get married for many years.

We used this book for a staff retreat, to get conversation going about ourselves and the college students with whom we work. Recommend highly. A short read that staff won't groan about with limited time to complete it, funny and inspiring, thought-provoking as well.