Bloomsbury enjoys bestseller success with Ann Patchett's novel Tom Lake

22 August 2023, LONDON: Bloomsbury, the leading independent publisher, announces that Ann Patchett's latest novel Tom Lake has hit the Sunday Times bestseller list.

The novel which is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents lead before their children are born, is proving to be one of the hits of the summer.   As well as the print title, Bloomsbury has also published an audio book read by Meryl Streep which continues the pattern of major Hollywood stars reading Ann Patchett novels, with Tom Hanks reading The Dutch House, her previous book.

Tom Lake has been tipped by BBC Radio Two as well as the Reese Witherspoon Book Club, with the actor and influencer saying: "this comforting summer read has it all…Young love, sibling rivalry and deep mother-daughter relationships."

The novel which was launched earlier this month has been well received by readers.   Its long-running success underlines the comments we outlined in May when Bloomsbury reported record annual revenues that reading continues to provide a source of great comfort and distraction throughout challenging times.

Despite cost of living pressures, books remain affordable.  Successes of novels like Tom Lake, not to mention Bloomsbury's impressive growth in recent years, serve as a reminder of the company's strengths and resilience regardless of external macro-economic factors.

Nigel Newton, Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, commented: "We are delighted to be Ann Patchett's publisher. She is a phenomenon with a huge following on both sides of the Atlantic. Our publicity team has thrown the kitchen sink at this since the launch a fortnight ago and we are excited to be seeing these efforts turning into a new bestseller - read it now!"

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Bloomsbury is a leading independent publisher of fiction, non-fiction, children's, specialist, academic and professional titles, listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is one of the few publishers with a portfolio that includes both general and academic publishing. Bloomsbury's ambitious growth story has seen the Group become a significant global publisher with offices in the UK, US, Australia and India.