Ann Patchett Spills Details About Her Next Book: ‘It’s the Cutest Thing Ever’ (Exclusive)
Plus, details on how the book was inspired by the author’s own life
Key Takeaways
- Ann Patchett's new picture book, ‘Button at the Bookstore,’ releases February 2, 2027.
- The book is inspired by Nemo, Patchett's real rescue dog at Parnassus Books.
- Robin Preiss Glasser of ‘Fancy Nancy' fame illustrated Patchett's new book.
It’s been a little over two months since Ann Patchett’s book Whistler was released, and readers are already begging her for an update on her next one. And thankfully now, after speaking with the author at the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival, we have one! While talking with Woman’s World at the event, Patchett revealed when readers can expect her newest book, and—spoiler alert—it’s sooner than you would think!
Ann Patchett reveals when her next book is coming out
Over the years, Patchett has written 10 bestselling novels. She has also written a variety of essays and children’s books, which, according to her, she is planning on focusing on in the future.
“I want to write some more essays for the New Yorker,” Patchett tells Woman’s World. “I have a picture book coming out in February. How about that? It’s called Button at the Bookstore and it’s about a little dog at the pound who gets a job working at a bookstore. Robin Preiss Glasser of Fancy Nancy fame is the illustrator, and it’s the cutest thing ever.”
Button at the Bookstore will be released on February 2, 2027 and according to the publisher’s synopsis, the plot will be as follows. “When Button is adopted from the pound, he discovers that life with Sasha—and the busy bookstore where she works—is full of surprises. Button isn’t quite sure where he fits. But everything changes when he wanders into the children’s section and meets a boy struggling to read. With patience, kindness, and a gently wagging tail, Button becomes the perfect listener for a brand-new reader.”
Ann Patchett spills where the inspiration for her book came from
Along with being an author Patchett also owns a bookstore called Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee. They sell books, host events and have dogs that roam around the store while customers shop—just like Button does in Patchett’s upcoming children’s book Button at the Bookstore.
“Button doesn’t look like any of the dogs because Robin is the one who got to pick how the dog looked,” Patchett says. “But the story is certainly inspired by Nemo, my own rescue dog that works at the bookstore.”
Along with Nemo—whose full name is Nemo “Pierre” Vandevender—Parnassus Books is also home to Opie Brennan, manager of canine staff; Barnabus Lynch, connoisseur of cardboard; and Roxy Rushing, a shop dog in training.
There was also Bear Gardner, head of belly scratches division and assistant director of naps; Mary Todd Lincoln Coffman, a model; Eleanor Roosevelt Philpott, roving marketing and social media assistant; and Sparkman “Sparky” VanDevender, the late assistant co-owner.
Ann Patchett reveals if she’s working on any other books
Along with working on Button at the Bookstore, Patchett says that she does “have ideas knocking around in my head” but notes that they “probably will have nothing to do with what I wind up writing in the end.”
“People, give me some space,” she adds. “I am still on a book tour. I am leaving for the UK book tour soon.”
You can preorder Button at the Bookstore, written by Ann Patchett and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, now wherever books are sold.
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