# Ann Patchett's 6 Favorite Books By Stars You Already Love > Ann Patchett recommends six books by actors, directors and writers she trusts. - Title: Ann Patchett's 6 Favorite Books By Stars You Already Love - Summary: Ann Patchett recommends six books by actors, directors and writers she trusts. ann patchett, tom hanks, meryl streep · reported by Woman's World. - Keywords: ann patchett, tom hanks, meryl streep, viola davis, alan alda, colm toibin, the testament of mary, finding me, angels in america, the covenant of water, Ann, Patchett's - Source: Woman's World — https://womansworld.com/entertainment/books/ann-patchett-recommends-6-shining-books-by-stars-you-know-and-trust - Author: Lisa Maxbauer - Published: 2026-10-16T16:00:30+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: ann patchett, tom hanks, meryl streep, viola davis, alan alda, colm toibin, the testament of mary, finding me, angels in america, the covenant of water ## Ann Patchett's top book pick Ann Patchett says Tom Hanks' short stories changed her mind about actors-turned-authors. > In 2017, I picked up a collection called Uncommon Type, by Tom Hanks. It had been languishing in a pile by the dresser for a while, and I’d left it there because of an unarticulated belief that actors should stick to acting. ## Tom Hanks' Uncommon Type Tom Hanks' first fiction collection explores characters including a World War II vet and an actor struck by sudden fame. > This book has turned me on to how much fun short stories can be. And I loved this. I hope he does a second collection…it’s not fair he can be so good in multiple formats. ## Angels in America by Tony Kushner Tony Kushner's two-part play explores the AIDS epidemic and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. > Angels in America, a widely banned two-play set that came out in 1.991, is as important and beautiful and relevant today as it was when it came out. ## Alan Alda's memoir Alan Alda's memoir blends personal stories about miscommunications with communication tips from his work on PBS's Scientific American Frontiers. > A t the heart of communication is empathy, the ability to take on the perspective of another person. Novelists are especially good at this, and I think there are a few novelists as good at it as Ann Patchett. ## Meryl Streep narrates The Testament of Mary Meryl Streep narrates Colm Toibin's novel imagining Mary, the mother of Jesus, later in life. > This is the most amazing book. Colm Toibin has broached an entire new dimension of history, religion and humanity. ## Viola Davis' Finding Me Viola Davis' memoir follows her journey from impoverished childhood in Rhode Island to EGOT fame. > I’m a little speechless… I came across Finding Me by random chance, listened to the preview and with the opening line, I was hooked. ## The Covenant of Water Abraham Verghese's novel spans 77 years on the southern coast of India, following a family haunted by a mysterious curse. > Oh my goodness, the books that I’m recommending today, and once again, I’m working on that too, my focus, as I’m getting older. I’m reading The Covenant of Water. ## Patchett and Hanks become friends Ann Patchett and Tom Hanks became friends after she read his short stories and he narrated her novel The Dutch House. > This book has turned me on to how much fun short stories can be. And I loved this. I hope he does a second collection…it’s not fair he can be so good in multiple formats. ## Patchett's bookstore recommendation Ann Patchett recommends Viola Davis' memoir Finding Me for its radical honesty and inspiring journey. > I’m a little speechless… I came across Finding Me by random chance, listened to the preview and with the opening line, I was hooked. ## Patchett's favorite book Ann Patchett calls Abraham Verghese's The Covenant of Water an epic, generational novel about India. > Oh my goodness, the books that I’m recommending today, and once again, I’m working on that too, my focus, as I’m getting older. I’m reading The Covenant of Water. ## Patchett's top picks Ann Patchett recommends six books by actors, directors and writers she trusts. > In 2017, I picked up a collection called Uncommon Type, by Tom Hanks. It had been languishing in a pile by the dresser for a while, and I’d left it there because of an unarticulated belief that actors should stick to acting. ## Key takeaway Ann Patchett recommends six books by actors, directors and writers she trusts.