The Literary Almanac

Reading this book was the literary equivalent of eating a fantastic meal consisting of a selection of comfort food and deliciously surprising new dishes, all hosted by an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly maitre d'. I left the table both replete and wanting more. Francesca Beauman writes with wit, warmth and a wise, compassionate intelligence that makes every page a joyous delight. I met old friends, discovered new ones and learned something in each chapter - and yes, I will be giving this book to everyone I know. -- Elizabeth Day
The perfect book for readers who want to be reminded of books they have loved, or discover those they have somehow missed. This is like taking the best road map and discovering yourself stopping off at gems of views and bistros that no one else has ever heard of. Francesca Beauman writes about the books she loves with irresistible passion, knowledge and warmth, and the illustrations are to die for. This is the best kind of reading celebration. -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry