84, Charing Cross Road

by Helene Hanff

[wcs53]

I picked this classic up at a library book sale recently and didn't want to see it get lost on a shelf unread. I never saw the movie adaptation that came out in the 80s, but remember thinking it would be a book worth reading. It definitely was and I read it in a couple of sittings on a Sunday afternoon with the Bears losing (again) to the Packers on in the background. Though the Bear game was entertaining enough, I have to admit that the book ended up being the better of the two!

This is a wonderful little book containing 20 years of correspondence between the author, Helene Hanff, in New York and a used-book dealer in London. At times it was very funny, at other times quite moving. Overall it was a very human book and it was interesting to see how the relationship developed over many years of letters. As I read I kept wondering if Hanff would ever get the opportunity to visit the store. I won't spoil it here as it is worth reading without knowing this information.

I would recommend this to anyone with a love of books and reading. It's not a long read, but is one that is definitely worthwhile.