Sara’s review of 84, Charing Cross Road > Likes and Comments

I learned in my years at B&N that the book stolen most often in bookstores is......the Bible??!! I guess the thieves figure they will be forgiven for taking the word of God. I can't tell you how many times I have loaned books that never get returned. Books are held in low esteem by a lot of people. That's why this book is so loved. It speaks to those of us who value them so highly.

Wow, that is a shameful statistic, Diane. I hope after they have read it they repent and make restitution. I'd hate to face my maker and have to tell him I stole a Bible, especially when there are so many organizations who will give you one for free if you ask!

I am terrible now about loaning books, but I have lost so many that I would rather just buy you a copy if you need it than loan you mine. On the other hand, I love sharing the ones I am through with, so I give a lot of books away.

Sara, terrific review of one of my favorites books. I've read it and al of Hanff's books many times and seen the movie at least twice. Both are just as touching as your review. Congratulations on your first successful audiobook! I think I tried to listen to it but the narrator didn't have a NY accent so I couldn't go on. :)) But I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks, Anne. I think what made this one work for me was that there wasn't one narrator, but rather a cast of them, so that each letter writer had his/her own voice. I thought this might fit well with audio, and it did. I might have to look out the movie again.

The movie is excellent tho Anne Bancroft is more posed the Helene. But it still worked beautifully. I don't recall a cast from the audio I started. I'll have to check.

Lovely review, Sara. I think I'm going to have to try and track this down along with the movie.

Wonderful review Sara! I think I listened to the same audio version as you. It was well done.

Mike wrote: "Lovely review, Sara. I think I'm going to have to try and track this down along with the movie."

Quick listen, Mike, and just a lovely little book. I got it on Hoopla.

Brenda wrote: "Wonderful review Sara! I think I listened to the same audio version as you. It was well done."

It was. I am not a fan of audio generally, but it was definitely the way to go with this.

"It made me feel as if everyone out in the wide world were part of a fellowship, and all that was needed was to stretch out your hand and another would take it and hold it in a friendly handshake of recognition." I love this sentiment and this review, Sara! I can't believe I still haven't read this, despite the fact it sat on my nightstand for a couple of years!

Do read it, Candi. Or go to Hoopla and get this audio, which is excellent. It will only take a couple of hours and you will so glad you did.

The best pleasures are tbe stolen ones

What an interesting question indeed. This is on my TBR and you make it sound delightful! Oh, and I do love an epistolary novel!

Sidharth wrote: "The best pleasures are tbe stolen ones"

Are you sure?

Lori wrote: "What an interesting question indeed. This is on my TBR and you make it sound delightful! Oh, and I do love an epistolary novel!"

You'll love it, Lori.

Lovely review, Sara! I read this book years ago and really enjoyed it. It sounds like a perfect audio book. May have to revisit.

Fantastic review, Sara . I enjoyed this one so much !

Sara, I think you've hit on this book's charm: There is a certain feeling of camaraderie in this novel that is good for the soul. Thanks for this lovely review!

Antoinette wrote: "Lovely review, Sara! I read this book years ago and really enjoyed it. It sounds like a perfect audio book. May have to revisit."

I was happy I decided to go with the audio, especially since I had already read the book once. Worth considering, Antoinette.

Angela M wrote: "Fantastic review, Sara . I enjoyed this one so much !"

Thank you, Angela. Delightful read.

Kathleen wrote: "Sara, I think you've hit on this book's charm: There is a certain feeling of camaraderie in this novel that is good for the soul. Thanks for this lovely review!"

Thanks, Kathleen. It was the kind of book that might help restore a faith in humanity.

Great review, Sara. I will get to this one, hopefully soon!

Thanks, Terry. You will enjoy it.

A lovely review of a lovely book. I haven't seen the movie yet but a good reminder. I also liked it's sequel The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street as well when Miss Hanff finally gets to visit 'England of English literature.'

Thanks, Asma. I have added The Duchess to my TBR.

People steal books? In significant numbers? How awful.

Ha, ha, ha ! Quite "awful ", Cecily.

I think that would be the only crime for which I would not condemn anyone. To fill the world with " thieves".

You would not feel that way if the book taken was irreplaceable to you, Theodore. I lost one that was out of print and I was never able to replace it. I was happy to have my "friend" read it...not so happy to have them move away with it unreturned. ((sigh))

I was referring to bookstores, Sara.

So ?

There is something about epistolary stories... I love this book, and its follow up too.

Audiobooks can be amazing, adding that human feel you mentioned. I have been a convert for quite some time. Hope you’ll try another :0)

I've had a couple of good experiences with audio, but mostly not. I imagine I will continue to be picky about trying them. This one definitely works.

This is a special book, Sara, that celebrates the best of a long distance friendship built on a love of books. You captured its spirit very well. Lovely!

Laysee wrote: "This is a special book, Sara, that celebrates the best of a long distance friendship built on a love of books. You captured its spirit very well. Lovely!"

I was thinking while reading it, Laysee, that many of us have established the same kind of relationship with people we have met online; friends we will never see, but who affect our lives and help us believe in the goodness of humanity.

“friends we will never see, but who affect our lives and help us believe in the goodness of humanity “
You have done that for me, Sara, many times over!

Oh, Peggy, how lovely of you to say that! I appreciate your friendship so much. I am often amazed at how close we can feel and how well we can know people we have only met online. Another kind of blessing God gives us.

Sara wrote: "Thanks, Anne. I think what made this one work for me was that there wasn't one narrator, but rather a cast of them, so that each letter writer had his/her own voice. "

So this is why you enjoy Wilkie Collins so much. Well, one of the reasons.
I don't use many audio books because, at least at this time, I don't consider it as being a book I've read. But audio books are perfect for books I've read before.
Which reminds me that the most interesting thing I read in this book is that Helene only buys books she's read before because why buy a book you may not want to keep and re-read - and she doesn't understand buying a book and then putting it on a shelf never to be opened again.

I seem to have a mental block with audio books, Brian. My mind wanders off and I realize I have missed something. It strikes me that you are right that it would work better for me with books I have read before.

Loved your memories of the book. I used to keep ALL my books, but I have so little space now that I only keep the ones I think I will re-read. It has forced me to repurchase books that I gave away, because I do want to re-read and no longer have my copy. I like Helene's way of thinking.

Sara wrote: "I seem to have a mental block with audio books, Brian. My mind wanders off and I realize I have missed something..."

Exactly my problem, plus you can't take notes so easily.

Cecily wrote: "Sara wrote: "I seem to have a mental block with audio books, Brian. My mind wanders off and I realize I have missed something..."

Exactly my problem, plus you can't take notes so easily."

Or mark passages without interrupting the flow of the story, which I can easily do on the Kindle; or go back and re-read a section you want to understand better or just "hear" again. I don't think audio is ever going to be a favorite way to read for me.

I don't even like Kindle. I don't have an ereader device, but I did just read a 76 page story on the Kindle app. Sure, I could copy and paste quotes, or highlight them, but it was less immersive and engaging that handwriting notes while reading a reincarnated tree.

It was an adjustment for me, but I now read about 1/4 of my books on Kindle. I make a lot of use of Hoopla and Overdrive for newer books that I don't want to buy and couldn't get to the library for. I'm still much fonder of a page I can actually feel when I turn it.

Sara wrote: "I seem to have a mental block with audio books, Brian. My mind wanders off and I realize I have missed something. It strikes me that you are right that it would work better for me with books I have..."

My first audio book was the 3rd volume of the Dragon Tattoo series since it was one I didn't need to claim I have actually read; it was for a 32 hour solo drive from my Illinois home to Seattle.
I too would space out or focus on the drive and then wonder who the new character was and often had to go back - the problem was the CD went back a few pages at a time and I really tired of the needless repeating of info I didn't need repeated so I stopped going back at all.
The audio book on my return trip worked much better because it was a tape not a CD, so I could go back a few seconds or a minute. It was also a book I had read before, My Antonia, which I wanted to 'freshen' up on before my tourist stop at Willa Cather's birthplace in Red Cloud Nebraska. That 'listen' was a good reading experience.
Those are my only audio book experiences. My brother-in-law listens to audio books while driving around Chicago. I could never do that in tough traffic and actually listen well or drive 'safely.' As I age, I anticipate I will eventually listen to books often, but at home.

My sister listens to them driving (a very long commute) back and forth to work. I tried a very short novella, narrated by an actress I know I like to hear speak, and listened in a secluded place while doing laundry. I still had issues. I don't think listening and driving in traffic would work for me. Maybe it is age. lol. Or, maybe we just want more from our books than they do, Brian.

Different strokes for different folks. Also, different people have different skills. But, at least we'll be saving money with auto insurance Safe Driver discounts.

😁

Sara, I think you would really enjoy Love and Saffron, one of the few books I actually own and gift to others.

Thank you for the recommendation, Judy. I will check it out!