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The Wonderful Weekend Book
For too many of us the weekend has become just another overcrowded couple of days dominated by duties, traffic jams, hassle and expense as we dash from supermarket to superstore catching up with the week's chores. But it doesn't have to be this way. Elspeth Thompson's original and inspiring book shows us how we can reclaim the weekend by re-charging our batteries and relationships through enjoying the simple pleasures in life. From watching the sunset and the stars, making marmalade and writing proper letters to borrowing a dog, going to dance classes and using the internet creatively, she reminds us of the fun and satisfaction to be had from creative, social and relaxing pursuits. The Wonderful Weekend Book is packed with ideas that will help restore the balance in our lives, reconnect us to the seasons, and - quite literally - not cost the earth.
Paperback
First published October 2, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 13, 2019
Reclaim life’s simple pleasures but it helps if you’ve got a second home for the weekends and the money to buy proper lounging clothes, cashmere and pay a cleaner. Nothing useful on how to reclaim the weekend and the activities are obvious.
September 14, 2015
This was on a bookshelf on holiday - picked it up and leafed through it and was overpowered by unbearable smugness. Made me want to shoot myself. I wondered if it might be a parody, but alas no.
March 21, 2018
When is there a better time to read such a book as The Wonderful Weekend Book than over a bank holiday? That is exactly what I did. I had hoped that I could read a little here and there and supplement it with other books, but that didn’t happen in the end. Instead, I read it from cover to cover in one greedy gulp. In The Wonderful Weekend Book, Thompson has created such a lovely concept for a piece of non-fiction. She aims to help her readers to reclaim their weekends back from the mundane tasks which seem to fill them – chores and supermarket shopping being top of her list.
Some of the ideas which Thompson has come up with to make the most of weekends are absolutely lovely. I personally loved the way in which the book was split up into the four seasons, which enables the reader to easily locate appropriate activites to fill hours or entire days. Thompson’s mini essays are very sweet, as are her introductions. The illustrations throughout are lovely, and I really like all of the different inclusions of recipes. I was given so many ideas for places to visit, all of which have been entered into my travel journal. I have picked up my hardback notebook which I began to fill with lovely quotes I came across a few years ago once more, and am now referring to it as my ‘anthology’, as Thompson does in her book.
Despite the general loveliness of this volume, there were a couple of definite drawbacks for me. The first was that although the lists work well, they are entered rather haphazardly into the main body of text and often split up paragraphs in consequence. Another downside was that much of the book felt like a plugging exercise for different brands and companies. Early on in the book, Thompson speaks about buying ‘good bath towels from John Lewis’. Rather than merely making this statement and moving on, she puts John Lewis’ phone number and website address in brackets right after it, which detracts a little from the text. Overall, The Wonderful Weekend Book is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf, and will be invaluable for anyone aiming to spend their weekends doing more worthwhile things. It is a volume which I will be dipping into a lot in future as the seasons change.
Some of the ideas which Thompson has come up with to make the most of weekends are absolutely lovely. I personally loved the way in which the book was split up into the four seasons, which enables the reader to easily locate appropriate activites to fill hours or entire days. Thompson’s mini essays are very sweet, as are her introductions. The illustrations throughout are lovely, and I really like all of the different inclusions of recipes. I was given so many ideas for places to visit, all of which have been entered into my travel journal. I have picked up my hardback notebook which I began to fill with lovely quotes I came across a few years ago once more, and am now referring to it as my ‘anthology’, as Thompson does in her book.
Despite the general loveliness of this volume, there were a couple of definite drawbacks for me. The first was that although the lists work well, they are entered rather haphazardly into the main body of text and often split up paragraphs in consequence. Another downside was that much of the book felt like a plugging exercise for different brands and companies. Early on in the book, Thompson speaks about buying ‘good bath towels from John Lewis’. Rather than merely making this statement and moving on, she puts John Lewis’ phone number and website address in brackets right after it, which detracts a little from the text. Overall, The Wonderful Weekend Book is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf, and will be invaluable for anyone aiming to spend their weekends doing more worthwhile things. It is a volume which I will be dipping into a lot in future as the seasons change.
August 13, 2022
I don't understand the point of this book. Ok, I can't blame it for being very outdated (it came out in 2008) with its camcorders and "computer websites" and storing things "on top of the telly" - that can be forgiven.
But it's full of ridiculous, cringe-worthy statements ("castles are for boys", "ballet is for girls"), it's annoyingly London-centric (or England-centric at best!), and the "ideas" in it are so obvious that you can't help thinking "no shit, Sherlock" the whole time. Did I really need a book to tell me that I can do such stuff as have a picnic, watch a movie, bake a cake or have sex? Did I really need detailed instructions on how to have a bath? Other than that, you get a tiny handful of recipes, and a large directory of expensive stockists of the author's expensive favourite goods.
Sorry, no.
But it's full of ridiculous, cringe-worthy statements ("castles are for boys", "ballet is for girls"), it's annoyingly London-centric (or England-centric at best!), and the "ideas" in it are so obvious that you can't help thinking "no shit, Sherlock" the whole time. Did I really need a book to tell me that I can do such stuff as have a picnic, watch a movie, bake a cake or have sex? Did I really need detailed instructions on how to have a bath? Other than that, you get a tiny handful of recipes, and a large directory of expensive stockists of the author's expensive favourite goods.
Sorry, no.
March 23, 2025
Some interesting tips but generally I found it disappointing, lots of recipes for things.
What really turned me off though was when she talked about visiting spring lambs, then acknowledging that anyone vegetarian may find it in bad taste to talk about the lamb ending up on your plate. So if she realises many people may find it in bad taste, why do it!! She then waxed lyrical about the best lamb and what to eat it with. Yuk.
What really turned me off though was when she talked about visiting spring lambs, then acknowledging that anyone vegetarian may find it in bad taste to talk about the lamb ending up on your plate. So if she realises many people may find it in bad taste, why do it!! She then waxed lyrical about the best lamb and what to eat it with. Yuk.
November 22, 2022
A bit out of date and out of touch due to being published in 2008 but some nice ideas that I will definitely be trying!
January 3, 2011
This was a charming book filled with everything from how to make marmalade to how to be the perfect house guest..
It was a lovely book to dip in and out of giving tips on gardening... where to shop for linens and beds... farmers markets and great places to go in a camper van ... the best places to have afternoon tea such as the Ritz in London..
The book takes you through our changing seasons giving you hints and tips on how to gain the most enjoyment from each new one..
Charming book that I am sure everyone will find something in it they will enjoy.
Loved it !!
Also it would be a lovely book as a present for someone.
It was a lovely book to dip in and out of giving tips on gardening... where to shop for linens and beds... farmers markets and great places to go in a camper van ... the best places to have afternoon tea such as the Ritz in London..
The book takes you through our changing seasons giving you hints and tips on how to gain the most enjoyment from each new one..
Charming book that I am sure everyone will find something in it they will enjoy.
Loved it !!
Also it would be a lovely book as a present for someone.
February 18, 2012
This was the perfect book to curl up to on a wintery Friday evening with a glass of wine. I totally treated myself last night!!
Lots and lots of great ideas for things to do on weekends. A very comforting read.
Note - this is a book published in the UK, all of the links and references were UK-based - but for me, it didn't detract from this great little book, as I am easily able to find North American equivalents....
Lots and lots of great ideas for things to do on weekends. A very comforting read.
Note - this is a book published in the UK, all of the links and references were UK-based - but for me, it didn't detract from this great little book, as I am easily able to find North American equivalents....
September 30, 2012
I am really enjoying this book, as someone said to dip in and out of. For instance I have skipped the chapter on spring and am reading summer and autumn instead since that's where we are at in the year. I am finding the suggestions to be simple, practical and entirely do-able. I just wish the locations recommended were nearer me! But don't let this deter you, with the Internet it is easy enough to find similar places in your own area.
July 30, 2011
This is surprisingly good. I wasn't sure why I'd picked this up but it does offer some good blogs to read and ideas to take up.
I think the thing about the modern weekend is that you can feel guilty having a 'home day' doing nothing but resting. The author takes away that guilt and instead suggests that it's foolish to tackle long lists of jobs rather than recouping after a hectic week
I think the thing about the modern weekend is that you can feel guilty having a 'home day' doing nothing but resting. The author takes away that guilt and instead suggests that it's foolish to tackle long lists of jobs rather than recouping after a hectic week
March 9, 2013
This is a refreshing book packed with ideas for giving a home a heart, making memories and generally having things to look forward to! Much like sitting down for a chat with a dear sensible and practical friend.
I googled Elspeth to find out who she is - and, heartbreak - I read the memorial written in the Daily Telegraph. I shall treasure my copy and buy more for friends.
I googled Elspeth to find out who she is - and, heartbreak - I read the memorial written in the Daily Telegraph. I shall treasure my copy and buy more for friends.
May 22, 2016
This book started off OK as I agreed with her view about reclaiming the weekend and using it for hobbies etc. but the things she suggested to do were a bit housewifey for my tastes and frankly the book was a bit dull. It was also a bit insulting when she said households without animals were devoid of a soul (or something to that effect) - not everyone likes pets!
December 18, 2010
I thought this was quite charming - lots of nice ideas that you can dip in and out of, some new some not so...but a nice little book which may help you think a bit more about how you spend your free time
Currently reading
January 27, 2009Such a cozy book
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February 19, 2011Just amazing - simplicity and insight.
April 16, 2020
I enjoyed the first part of the book, but found myself skim reading the seasonal chapters. Not terribly interesting, incredibly middle-class and privileged and a bit out of date.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews