On a suggestion from Seattle Reader I hope to be doing a post in the near future on what folks like to reread. Do you have favorites you return to over and over? Wandering Reader was one of the first to send in a list, which included 84, Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff. It sounded familiar, but I have no idea why, so I got a copy ... and read it in one sitting! It is sweet and charming and I understand why Wandering Reader likes it so much. It is a series of letters between a writer living in New York and a used book dealer in London. She is looking for quality used books, and boy, do they deliver! Over the years a friendship develops. When she realizes they are still coping with food rations and restrictions (eggs, for example) she finds a way to have fresh eggs delivered, or meat, and other treats. They never meet face to face, it is a friendship of letters and a love of books.

This took me almost directly on to The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, by Helene Hanff, her journal of when she finally was able to travel to London. She meets up with family of the writers of the original letters as well as fans of her book. She sees 84, Charing Cross Road for real (it is now empty) as well as so many places she's always dreamed of seeing. Another nice read, but heed the suggestion in the introduction here and read the other book first! :-)

In these days of the 'stay at home' directive, arm chair travel is the way to go, but then, to be honest, it's the way I travel anyway. :-) Missions Accomplished: and some funny business along the way, by Tim Jenkins took me to several distant destinations. The author travels for business, which can often mean deadlines for meetings, connecting flights and so on. Weather, traffic, delays in flights and more can affect this, often in amusing ways.

Reading Hermit With Dog