I read a lot on our little jaunt to Portland… but to be fair, they were short, little books…
I picked this one up yesterday morning at the bed and breakfast we were staying in and read it while I was waiting for the proprietor to get breakfast ready. That’s how quick a read it is. It’s a series of letters between Helen Hanff, a New York writer, and a rare/used/antique bookshop in London, England. Their correspondence starts in 1949, and the letters go on for 25 years (or more; I can’t remember and I left the book at the bed and breakfast) until the death of her main corespondent, Frank Doel.
It’s a lovely little book; the letters are funny and sweet, and Helene, Frank and the rest of the “inmates” at the store are just wonderful. I loved the way Helene would talk about the books as if they were real people. There were so many little quotes about books and reading that I wanted to write down. As for the book itself, I couldn’t put it down. I finished it quickly not just because it’s a slim little thing, but also because it’s a captivating book. You come to care about the people — not just Helene and Frank, but Frank’s family, and the other people at the book store — and root for Helene to actually make it to England to meet them. It has a bittersweet ending, but I still loved it immensely.
Now to go find me a copy for my very own.
The Book Nut 
Loooove this book! I never had any plans to pick it up until I watched the movie. You should definitely try to track it down if you can.
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I LOVE this book too. My book club read it a couple of years ago, and I had no idea what it was. I picked up a copy at Powell Books while I was in Portland for Thanksgiving and read it on the airplane. Sigh. Thanks for evoking that lovely memory.
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I’ve heard about this book a lot, but have never really stopped to see what it was about. Your review is great, and now I want to go out and immediately read it!
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You need to read The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street next- it’s the ongoing story and tells of Helen’s visit to London. Great fun!
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The film with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins is really nice.
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This is such a sweet book. š
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I watched the movie Kellie mentioned years ago and was moved by it. I should read this….
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I’ve had that on my list for a while. I like knowing when a book is worth owning – I’ll purchase this one š
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