The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2018

by Lia Leendertz

Have you ever wondered why the moon is sometimes blue? The New Almanac revives the tradition of the rural almanac for those who want to connect with the seasons through gardening, eating seasonally, moon-gazing, foraging, celebrating feast days and picking seasonal flowers. It brings you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year. For each of the 12 months, award-winning gardener and food writer Lia Leendertz shares her practical guidance for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays, as well as stories about each month’s unique nature and folklore, and charts relevant to each month. Keep track of the phenomena of the universe with tables familiar to almanacs of the significant dates; phases of the moon; sunrise and sunset times; king tides; equinoxes, solstices and cross-quarter days; food in season; a forager’s guide; meteor showers, visible planets and lunar eclipses; festivities (Samhain, Wassailing, Divali, Midsummer) and more. Lia also shares her favorite recipes using seasonal ingredients and relating to each month’s Cider Cake for wassailing in January; Blood Orange Tart in February; Potato Kugel Gratin for Passover in April; Beltane Wine for May Day; Sticky Cinnamon Figs in September; and Soul Cakes at Hallowe’en. Filled with wonder, The New Almanac is a highly practical, historical and contemplative book to be enjoyed all year long, and it will have you looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Nature, Natural History

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

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

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this one through the year, each month has a guide to what can be seen in the skies, moon and sun set and rising times, recipes, the best food available, holidays, nature, weather, the seas and jobs to do in the garden. Some interesting facts, especially the reasons for the old celebrations and I even found a couple of the constellations.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 2018 bite size guide, offering a twelve monthly slice of seasonal cycles, amateur astronomy, planting hints and tips, recipes, and even snippets regarding the significance of diverse cultural / religious events celebrated in the UK.

Lots of curious information is included, plus pencil sketched botanical imagery adds a lovely touch to each section.

As with everything in life, there are other less fascinating facts that didn’t appeal to me personally (such as tidal data, and so forth). But on balance it’s quite difficult to criticise the overall content and attractive presentation of this delightful pocket-sized hardback.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely fascinating read full of facts about the world around us here in Britain, from tide times and sun rises to seasonal vegetables and countryside lore. It's the perfect size, whether you prefer to dip in and out or read the whole thing cover to cover as I did. I'm planning to go back at the start of each month and re-read the relevant chapter, to help me tune in more deeply to the turning of the wheel of the year. I'm looking forward to finding the constellations and making all the recipes too. I am happy to confirm that January's recipe - apricot, date and pecan sticky toffee pudding - was every bit as delicious as it sounds!

[Helbob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, lovely little book. I tried reading each month as it arrived but couldn't help myself gobbling it up in one. I'll revisit each month now. Just lots of pertinent facts and reminders. A tonic to read.

[Millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as prep for 2018. I’ll also read it with each month. I love it!

[Nicola Platt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this lovely book throughout the whole of 2018. I looked forward to reading segments throughout the month and it made for an interesting and mindful read about the seasons. Have already got my copy for 2019. Looking forward to reading the new sections, such as song for the month and the bee keepers diary.

[Umide Sacoor Ahnemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2020, I bought Lia Leendertz's Almanac for the first time. With its repertoire of recipes, stories, songs, facts, and things to see out in nature throughout the year, it gave our family endless hours of joy. I liked it so much that I bought a copy from every year, starting with this very first one.

[Artemis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at times, a good reminder of certain folk traditions and the cycle of year.

[Ruth Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every home should have one

[booksbyg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little Natural History almanac that I'll probably dip into again - as the only real changes year to year will be times and dates.

[Susan Grimshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting companion through the year.