"Any story that starts will also end." As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. The pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most.