The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025

by Lia Leendertz

THE ORIGINAL & BESTSELLING ALMANACReconnect with the seasons in Britain and Ireland with this month-by-month guide to the world around us - including tide tables, sunrises and moon phases; wildlife and folklore; seasonal recipes, snacks and more.The A Seasonal Guide to 2025 gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way.Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays.You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close.PRAISE FOR THE 'Lia Leendertz's classic almanac never fails to delight' - The Herald'It's a perfect Christmas present' - Allan Jenkins, The Observer'The perfect companion to the seasons' - India Knight'Indispensable' - Sir Bob Geldof'This book is your bible' - The Independent'I love this gem of a book' - Cerys Matthews

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Witchcraft, Reference, Mythology

288 pages, Hardcover

Published August 29, 2024

About the author

Lia Leendertz is a gardener and writer. She writes about gardening, growing food and cooking, and her work has appeared in for the Telegraph, the Guardian, Gardens Illustrated, The Garden, and Simple Things magazine. She publishes an annual garden almanac.

Reviews

[Dee Hancocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off the theme of this years Almanac is ancient astronomy, which is so wonderful! Reminding us to look up and take stock of the vast universe around us. I can’t wait to use this throughout the year, and I aim to bake all the cakes of the month. It’s full of surprises to connect us to the world around us.
I really appreciate the art and design of the book, this really adds to the experience. The Almanac is definitely a book to revisit and cherish throughout the year. So if seasons and nature inspires you then you need this guide. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice read for nature and folklore nerds like me.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year's almanac (2025) had a focus on meadows and their life cycle and standing stones and neolithic sites. I really enjoyed learning about these places. the last one, Meashowe in Orkney is a chamber tomb that is lit internally only by the winter sun around the solstice. I wonder if those who built the tomb thought of us, their descendants, and how life goes on. I think the roots of modern life go deep and the rhythms of prehistoric times echo today. I love how Lia reminds us of those connections.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I sat reading this book, I could see the season changing before my eyes. Although The Almanac covers next year, it nonetheless seemed to speak to me as I observed the sudden drop in temperature and the yellowing of the leaves outside my window.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...

[Melanie Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to connect more fully with the seasons & learn so much about nature in many different ways - i found the monthly megalith section fascinating!

[Becky Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perennial favourite! Always learn so much from these, and look forwards to reading every month - helps to understand and feel more connected to the world around us.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second year accompanied by this almanac and has again made the darker months something to look forward to and has inspired me to be a bit more creative. Loved it.

[Radina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each month you get pulled into the athmosphere of the changing seasons with different stories about constelations, myths, recipes, and songs.

[Jay Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read!

[Fatguyreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

So what can I say about The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025?
It's such a beautiful little book in hardback. The colours used on the front cover are pastel-ish, work well together and make for a stand out cover.

The illustrations throughout are just lovely, as expected from this author and the detail is great.

As for the book itself. It's divided Into 12 month of the year, and it's full of lots of useful information, such as tide tables, recipes, phases of the sun and moon, wildlife plus lots more.

For me, it'd make a great Christmas present for the book lover in your life.

It's a magical book about enjoying the seasons and I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book - the enjoyment lasts throughout the year as each Month is described with things to look out for from the garden to the sky, to the tides & to the wildlife. Each month has ideas for key scents, as well as seasonal recipes & songs . It makes you look forward to the start of each month and really notice the seasonal changes. Beautifully presented it's a great gift idea for a January birthday Make sure also to listen to the (almost) accompanying podcast for more - called As The Season Turns

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first bought Leendertz’s Almanac this year (2024), and my enjoyment of it led me to already have the 2025 edition on pre-order when the chance came to take part in this tour; which I think reflects how much pleasure I have gained from reading and referring to the text so far this year!

Of course, I am a bit late to the party, with the 2025 edition being the eighth instalment of The Almanac. Each year, the author selects a theme for the book; this year has been the garden, with the inclusion of garden and weather folklore, flower of the month, and even a suggested snack! In 2025, the theme will be ancient astrology, and this includes a ‘megalith of the month’ (of course starting with Stonehenge in January!), which the author describes as “a calendar of sorts in stone and shadow”, and a ‘star story of the month’ – stories of the constellations from around the world. Still included are all the features you would expect from an almanac, from moon phases to tide times. But I was also pleased to see the return of the edible factor – cake of the month! – along with folk songs and crafts. This year’s edition is also brought to life with the beautiful illustrations of Sarah Abrehart.

I have found a lot of pleasure dipping into this delightful volume over the course of this year, and I’m sure I will continue to do so with the 2025 edition. I’d encourage anyone who is interested in connecting more closely with the changing seasons, and reading interesting facts and stories along the way (and perhaps trying a cake or two!), to give it a go!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m new to these Almanacs and was greatly surprised by the amount of information contained inside. This beautiful book may be smaller in size but it has a wealth of information which must have required so much in depth research.

Beautifully illustrated with black and white drawings and endpapers comprising a 2025 calendar, this year’s theme is ancient astronomy. Each page has a printed tab with a letter representing the month so its really easy to use and in addition there is a colour matched ribbon marker.

I can quite understand why it is something that you would refer to constantly as there is so much to learn. In addition to tide tables and sunrise/sunsets there is a Cake of the Month (March has a recipe for Welsh Cakes, a favourite of mine), a Megalith of the Month (January is Stonehenge) and there are folklore tales and songs not only in verse but also with accompanying printed music.

I’m so impressed by how much interesting information it contains and it is such a useful reference book to keep, whether your interest is in gardening or the constellations and just generally to find out more about the world around us. I’m looking forward to following the seasons each month and I can see that these will form a lovely collection for the bookshelf. It’s perfect for a bedside table and would also make a fabulous gift.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of three calendar-synced books I read that have monthly chapters. My friend bought this for me after I introduced her to the author's podcast earlier in the year.

I haven't always managed to read all three on the same day. This is the one I’ve prioritised, though, because it's the only one specifically about this year, and it includes a helpful list of notes for the month ahead.

It covers a lot: stories, gardening tips, recipes, songs, and even some information about ancient astronomy. Not every single section was equally useful (that's normal!), but it did give me the heads-up to see a lunar eclipse back in March.

It's well-written, interesting, and just a really good accompaniment to the year.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌱Lia Leendertz’s The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025 is a charming blend of practical advice and seasonal inspiration. Packed with tide tables, moon phases, gardening tips, recipes, and folklore, it’s a beautifully illustrated guide to reconnecting with nature throughout the year.🍁

🌖Perfect for gardeners and nature lovers alike, it celebrates the rhythms of the seasons and offers simple ways to embrace them, whether you have a garden or just a windowsill. A delightful and practical companion for 2025 🍄

🌏 a special mention to the cover it’s beautiful and the pages are really thick and good quality. I think this would make a perfect gift for gardeners and nature lovers 🪺

[Amory · Rating 1 out of 5]

A mix of mystic nonsense and repetitive information that is freely available online. Reminiscent of ’old moores almanac’ from pre-internet days and just as pointless.
I read several reviews here before purchasing, once I received the book I looked up ‘interesting’ ‘fascinating’ and informative’ and would suggest other reviewers do the same.

[Bev Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this in chunks throughout the year. I did it one season at a time. It’s incredibly informative while still engaging with myth and folklore , music and recipes. This year’s was doubly remarkable because the theme was menhirs and stone circles. I will be doing it all again with next year’s edition.

[Kirsty Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely almanac to enjoy my year with and guess what I already have 2026 almanac ready . Interesting indigenous stories of the planets and stars which I would have never found if it wasn’t for this book. Interesting megaliths history which I wouldn’t have found out if it wasn’t for this book . Enjoyed the baking, folk songs, moons and wildlife entries as usual too .

[Valerie Brett]

Asked for this for Xmas cuz I enjoy the podcast but it’s too small of an object (but also not that small? It’s strange) but actually I don’t want nor need to know things like tide charts & where the sun is in the sky & I also think all the recipes are gross

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I buy one of these every few years, and they are always full of new facts, charts, recipes, songs and myths all related to the current months. The book lasts me all year as I read one month at a time.

[Haylz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never had one of these before and this is just lovely

[Sally Broadbent]

Will read each month during at appropriate time

[Saoirse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed with learning everything Lia teaches us each year and how to understand, delve into and enjoy the nature around me each month. A Christmas favourite to buy

[Richard Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading every year!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading one chapter each month

[JO · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this Almanac every year, looking forward to the one for 2026.

[Hayley Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this throughout the year with each month having its own story, recipes and songs. Looking forward to next years!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book, very calming/soothing to read each month

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read this through the year and once again, inspired to write, journal, reflect and appreciate the world around me.