I would say that this book wouldn't make much sense to those who hadn't read 84 Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, but is a charming delight for those who have. This somewhat choppy collection of pieces fills in a lot of the gaps between those other books.

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This is a charming memoir from the author of 84, Charing Cross Road, which you should read before and perhaps instead of this book. Hanff's voice is wonderful and I gave 84, a book of her letters, 5 stars. This one is also very good, but has the feel of watching someone else's vacation slides. She's still an excellent narrator, but when she writes about specific places and people in London she starts to lose me. The story of how she went about educating herself with books from the library when she couldn't afford college is inspiring and humbling.

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I have enjoyed all of her books. I think it's ironic that I read it just before hurricane Helene hit Florida and North Carolina.

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I have loved all of Helene Hanff's books,and this is no exception. It's all familiar territory, with the bulk of the book concerning Helene's visit to some of Q's old haunts, and other highlights of a trip to England - a different trip from the one described in Duchess of Bloomsbury St.

Hanff's real gift is for friendship, and she draws readers in to her inner circle. You just know you could go and knock on her door and be welcomed in for a martini and a little book talk. You also know exactly what her apartment looks like and what her view is from her windows, exactly how many blocks from Central Park and who are the dogs who frequent her front stoop of an evening.

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A fantastic companion to "84, Charing Cross Road." It shows more of Helene Hanff's memorable personality and makes you want to go out and read the classics.

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