My Book of Treasures: National Treasure Dame Joanna Lumley's collection of favourite writings

by Joanna Lumley

'I am absolutely THRILLED to share my much-cherished Book of Treasures with you. I have lovingly and painstakingly compiled it over many years and it has brought me mountains of the happiest moments, much surprise and masses of joy. I hope it brings as much pleasure to you as it has done to me.' Dame Joanna Lumley

Over the years Joanna Lumley has kept private notebooks, filled with her favourite writings, thoughts and quotes. Now, for the first time, she opens her Book of Treasures to share some of her many and varied jottings.

From her favourite lines of Shakespeare to words of wisdom offered her by a mystic on one of her many travels, the result is a chocolate-box of delights, filled with absolutely fabulous titbits. It is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Poetry, Audiobook

176 pages, Hardcover

Published August 2, 2025

About the author

Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, presenter, former model, author, television producer, and activist.

Reviews

[Sharah McConville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

[Matt DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it’s frothy. Yes, it occasionally feels like being cornered at a very good dinner party by someone with impeccable stories and no intention of stopping. But honestly — there are far worse fates.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ comforting, funny, and civilised. A reminder that not every book needs to seek to change the world; some just seek to be good company.

[Stephen Devonport · Rating 3 out of 5]

some beautiful wonderful writing from a very varied selection of authors well worth a read

[Jackie McElhinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Spent time enjoying it. Laughed and reflected
Has opened up some interesting people to look up

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars

I admit I ordered this without knowing what it was about because I adore Joanna Lumley, but I'm quite disappointed. I assumed it would be about her, her experiences, little snippets of things she's done and learnt etc. but instead it's a collection of poems, quotes, sayings etc. from poets, authors, celebrities, religious folk etc. that seemingly have absolutely no link to each other, other than being loved by Joanna.

It's a perfectly fine book, what's there is fine, and it's quick to read (done in an hour or so), but it's got no real meat on the bone. It's very random and a bizarre theme for a book. If it wasn't Joanna Lumley, I can almost guarantee it won't have been published.

[Clive Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Book of Treasures is a collection of favourite writings that Joanna Lumley has found interesting, comforting, humorous or thought-provoking over the years. Fabulous is a word closely associated with Dame Joanna. Her many fans will not be surprised that she considers the collection fabulous.

Many of the quotes are from playwrights, poets and commentators long dead; some from people she eventually met and was able to gush her appreciation.

Spike Milligan became a friend. One limerick of his is included: ‘Said Hamlet to Ophelia/I’ll do a sketch of thee/What kind of pencil shall I use/2B or not 2B?’

If, by Rudyard Kipling, is included in full. Until I read it in My Book of Treasures, I’d only been aware of snippets. ‘If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs …’ is one that springs to mind. Joanna mentions that the lines about triumph and disaster appear over the doors in Wimbledon for the tennis players to see before they go on court.

In a section of the book devoted to death and dying, Joanna quotes her grandmother, Thyra Letitia Alexandra Weir. After a lifetime of travelling as a diplomat’s wife, she said: the good thing about dying is that you don’t have to pack.

My Book of Treasures is a slim volume with a striking cover and a distinctive layout designed to ensure the reader’s attention is focused on the profound, wistful and waspish pearls of wisdom encountered on each page.

I puzzled over the poems, giggled at the trivia, and laughed out loud when reading British artist David Hockney’s description of watching Pablo Picasso paint without a stitch on.

[Libby Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Book of Treasures is a collection of the favourite writings of the much-loved and versatile actor, presenter and author Joanna Lumley.

Including quotes from novels, plays, poems, letters, scripts and speeches, the reader learns more about Lumley and the subjects that matter to her. There were selections that particularly spoke to me written by Samuel Johnson, St Basil of Caesarea, Henry Scott-Holland, Ralph Waldo Emerson, W.B. Yeats, and Henry Beston. The authors I've noted all happen to be male, but Lumley highlights a diversity of voices related to her love of travel and campaign for justice for the Gurkhas.

Not every quote is going to speak to every reader, but that's not the purpose of the collection. Indeed, Lumley writes:
"It's a book for all seasons and for all occasions; and it comes to you from me, with armfuls of effusive greetings and salutations, trailing clouds of glory and affection, this offering of treasures made especially for you."

This is a warm hug of book, and I felt I learned more about the author through the beautiful words that she loves.

As a Bookseller, I would recommend this book to fans of Joanna Lumley, as well as those who appreciate a good book of quotations. Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of the book for an impartial Bookseller review.

[Deb Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read about this in a magazine and thought, ‘Joanna has written my book!’ So I promptly ordered it from the library.

I too have various journals and notebooks, started randomly, not in any chronological order, but full of anecdotes, funny stories, snippets of newspapers/magazines, quotes from famous people and not so famous, out of the mouths of babes (usually my own e.g Jess saying, upon experiencing flight and take off for the first time; “it’s like my head is in my feet!”, so this book appealed enormously.

I thought this a wonderful idea to capture these random missives all in a beautiful book, so was immensely looking forward to it. I opened it with much anticipation, like opening an expensive box of your favourite chocolates (Lindor balls, salted caramel or original red, if you’re interested) and was somewhat disappointed.

I started reading it from the front and planned to read it cover to cover, but, for me, it was very poetry heavy and Im not really a fan. I ended up dipping in and out of it in no particular order, which felt more delicious (back to the chocolate analogy!), but still didn’t grab me like I expected.

I will still think about putting my own collected words together sometime, but as in this case, it might have just been meant for our families to enjoy.

Shame, but love the concept. Self-publishing - here i come….let me know if fancy a copy haha.

[E Selby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this sweet collection in one sitting.

I was tempted to give it three stars as it includes a lot of poetry which I’m not particularly fond of, the rest I enjoyed.

I gave it four stars, however. I didn’t think it fair to deny Ms Lumley an extra star, it’s not her fault I’m not fond of poetry

And just to add, I’m so glad I’m not the only person who hates brown shoes. Utter Validation

[Lauren Nicol Deaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most random book I've read all year and I can honestly say it wasn't one of the greatest either which pains me to say as I LOVE Joanna.

I just feel like this book was oddly put together and a lot of it wasn't particularly enjoyable. The poems/literature was quite old school and not really up my street either to be honest.

Some nice stuff in here but nothing extraordinary.

[Nikki Long · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book not looking to much into what it was -
Thinking it was going to be a book of treasures of Joanna’s travels, life lessons.

But instead it’s a book of her favorite writings & poems.

I’ve reminded myself that I’m not a fan of poetry

[Veronique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very much a commonplace book of Lumley’s favourite quotes, poems, and thoughts. I only connected with a couple of entries, which is not surprising since this type of anthology is highly personal.

[Neens West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like poetry anthology, this is more the book that you dip into, rather than reading cover to cover; one to keep close for flashes of inspiration.

If you love Joanna, you'll love this compilation of quotes, and passages of prose, that she's collected over the years and now wants to share.

[Sarah Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

very soothing as an audio book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Ms Lumley! I now have some delightful new treasures to add to my own collection.

[Sasha Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some buts were alright. Love her tho!

[Jean Marriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming book

[Steven Hallgarth · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lovely albeit somewhat rogue collection of writings, quotes and poems

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of poems/writings/thoughts by otheres that Joanna Lumley has collected over the years. A nice passion project to put together all your favourite pieces into one place.