# Ann Patchett's 5 Book Picks for 'State of Wonder' Fans

> Ann Patchett shares mood-lifting books for readers of 'State of Wonder'.
- Title: Ann Patchett's 5 Book Picks for 'State of Wonder' Fans
- Summary: Ann Patchett shares mood-lifting books for readers of 'State of Wonder'. Ann Patchett recommends seven books for readers of 'State of Wonder' to find comfort…
- Keywords: ann patchett, state of wonder, beowulf, the wind in the willows, the book of delights, on beauty, little heathens, this is happiness, this time tomorrow, parnassus books, nashville, book recommendations
- Source: Woman's World — https://womansworld.com/entertainment/books/ann-patchett-recommends-5-books-for-state-of-wonder-fans
- Author: Lisa Maxbauer, Carissa Mosness
- Published: 2026-10-15T18:30:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ann patchett, state of wonder, beowulf, the wind in the willows, the book of delights, on beauty, little heathens, this is happiness, this time tomorrow, parnassus books, nashville, book recommendations
## Ann Patchett's deep research for 'State of Wonder'
Ann Patchett shadowed a chief malariologist at Bethesda Naval Hospital to prepare for 'State of Wonder'.

> People want to be asked questions. I know a lot about malaria from writing state of wonder.
## Backlist comfort reads for stress relief
Patchett points readers to older books when news feels heavy or sleep won’t come.

> Okay friends lately i ve been a little down right i mean i m guessing that maybe you ve been a little down too.
## Beowulf by Seamus Heaney
Patchett recommends the 2000 Nobel laureate translation of Beowulf for restless nights.

> Beowulf is what i need specifically i need the seamus heaney translation of beowulf that came out in two thousand.
## The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Patchett calls this book a therapy project after reading it for the first time at age 62.

> It is a soul-calming peaceful book about friendship and nature about making mistakes and being forgiven.
## The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
Patchett recommends this book for slow, savored reads when readers need comfort.

> Gay decided to find good things in the world and every day he wrote a little tiny micro essay about something that he had found that day that brought him happiness.
## On Beauty by Zadie Smith
Patchett and Katie DiCamillo independently picked up this 2005 novel for comfort.

> This is a glorious novel that is full of love and joy and obviously intelligence because zadie smith is the smartest person alive.
## Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish
Patchett rediscovered this 2007 memoir through a sleep ritual involving her grandmother’s house.

> My grandmother grew up during the depression in kansas so it s very close to her story.
## This Is Happiness by Niall Williams
Patchett loves this 1958 Irish novel about electricity and falling in love.

> It s about the tiny town of faha in ireland in one thousand nine hundred fifty-eight getting electricity.
## This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
Patchett calls this 2022 time-travel novel the book many readers are quietly looking for.

> This is such a fantastic book and i feel like it s the book that so many people are looking for.
## Why these books work for comfort
Patchett says these books offer immersive magic without the mosquitoes of 'State of Wonder'.

> If state of wonder reminded you how transporting a novel can be these five picks offer the same immersive magic minus the mosquitoes.
## Key takeaway

Ann Patchett recommends seven books for readers of 'State of Wonder' to find comfort during tough times.