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The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street | Helene Hanff
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
melissajayne
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Mehso-so

3.5⭐️ Thought it was ok; while it was delightful as 84 Charing Cross Road, it wasn‘t nearly as endearing. It was just ok. I didn‘t like this as much as its predecessor. #2024 #bookreview #nonfiction #epistolary #diaryentries #london #uk #travel

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Robotswithpersonality
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Pickpick

Incisive description of people, romantic description of places encountered, hilarious description of events that took place. Absolutely charming follow up to 84, Charing Cross Road; though I read them out of order, I feel like in combination with 'Q's Legacy', I've completed a memoir/epistolary trilogy.
Hanff also has two books about living in New York that, after seeing how competent she is at non fiction, I'm now eager to read. 1/2

Robotswithpersonality 2/2 Agree with Sykes' introduction: you will enjoy this more if you've read 84, Charing Cross Road first. Though, don't recommend reading the introduction in this edition before the book, as it does what so many introductions insist on doing, telling you about passages from the book you're about to read. Which is why I stick to my policy of reading introductions after I've finished the book. 1y
9 likes1 comment
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Robotswithpersonality
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The visual! 😂

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Robotswithpersonality
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For a good time call...1970s London: 😳🫣

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Robotswithpersonality
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Dresses for walking and gets lost even with a map. A kindred spirit!

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Robotswithpersonality
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Idyllic.

5 likes1 stack add
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Bookwomble
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"Spent half an hour tying my new red-white-and-blue scarf in an ascot so I'd look British ... We went outside [number 84, Charing Cross Road] - and I stood there and let them take my picture as meekly as if I did it all the time. That's how anxious I am to make a good impression and not give anybody any trouble."

Bookwomble Sometimes the internet is good - I found the very photo of Helene in her scarf standing outside Marks and Co., sadly already shut down and uninhabited at the time of her visit. 2y
Leftcoastzen Love this photo!Love her books. 2y
Aims42 This is awesome, thank you for sharing! I loved this book and the sequel so much 😍 2y
Bookwomble @Leftcoastzen @Aims42 It is a wonderful photograph, and both volumes of her memoirs should have been in my "read" shelf long, long ago, but they're there now ? @CarolynM Looks like I'll need needing that extra reading time ???? 2y
CarolynM I‘d not seen this photo. Thanks for sharing. It will be time well spent🙂 (edited) 2y
41 likes5 comments
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Bookbuyingaddict

Only 13 pages in and still as wonderful and witty as 84 Charing Cross road , which this short novel is the follow up to and hanffs visit to London in 1971 . I‘m in london on 28th this month so decided to save this one and read it on the train .

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mrp27
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Pickpick

#litsyspringbreak #london

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I finally watched the movie of 84 Charing Cross Road, which I enjoyed and it prompted me to finally read this. I‘m glad I did because it was just as charming as 84 Charing. I love her wit, humor and observations. This reads like a mini travelogue of London as Helene writes about her time there while promoting the publication of her book.

TheKidUpstairs I loved 84, Charing Cross Rd but I haven't read this one! Will have to check it out. 4y
mrp27 @TheKidUpstairs I had this book on my tbr for years without realizing it was the sequel to 84. 🤦🏻‍♀️ 4y
27 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Smarkies
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Book - The Duchess of Bloomsbury
Author - Didion, Joan
Movie - Dil Dhadakne Do
Song - Defying Gravity (from Wicked)
Band - the Decemberists
#manicmonday
#letterd
@JoScho

JoScho Thanks for playing 🤗💚 5y
25 likes1 comment
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Pam.Kokomo
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Pickpick

We‘ve had a lovely week off for a homeschool spring break of sorts. Projects were begun at least and lots of reading enjoyed. This was a sweet read to end the week. Reality hits tomorrow as we plunge back into our studies. It‘s tempting to let things slide since everything feels strange right now, even though as homeschoolers, this doesn‘t affect us as much as it does others. But education is a life, and it‘s good to have rhythm to our days.

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inthegreensandblues
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1. That Helene! 💚
2. I was born in my head and the Bronte books. 🤣
3. Summer; the only sport I follow is cycling.
4. @howjessreads and @4thhouseontheleft you both do so much for the Litsy community, thank you!

#friyayintro

Butterfinger #2 was hilarious. 5y
alisiakae Thank you! I love 2 - Bronte love! 😍 5y
29 likes2 comments
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thea-block
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Pickpick

Loved this “sequel” to 84, Charing Cross Road almost more than the original! Loved the adoration for and humor about London along with the author‘s obvious humor about her smallest experiences.

What a gem! And a perfect first book of 2020.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Crazeedi Yes it was a delightful book! 5y
12 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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inthegreensandblues
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84, Charing Cross Road was one of the last things I read in 2018, and this will probably be my last finished in 19. 💚💚💚 Helene Hanff

Currently:
Ninth House
Goblet of Fire Illustrated
Code Name Verity
⏱️14:30 into #24b42020

@Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid #jb72

Andrew65 Going along very nicely. 👏👏👏 5y
26 likes1 comment
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BarbaraJean
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Pickpick

This was an absolute delight—Hanff‘s journal of her long-awaited trip to London, on the occasion of the British publication of 84, Charing Cross Road. Hanff‘s voice is just as hilarious & charming as it was in her Charing Cross letters. It‘s so much fun to hear her impressions of London and its denizens as she‘s swept away for tours & excursions by dozens of friends & fans. Definitely read Charing Cross first—this is a delightful companion to it!

Tamra That is good to know! 84 is so charming. 5y
Leftcoastzen I love them both! I am not a big fan of re-reading, but something about 84 makes me pick it up and read it again.So charming! 5y
50 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Freespirit
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Pickpick

Loved reading the correspondence between Helen in New York and workers at a book shop in London. Later she visits this wonderful city and explores the historical and literary places that make it so special.
“If you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me. I owe it so much”
Is it still there? I know the bookshop is shut. Something for me to find when I go to London🙏🏼
#literature #history #london

britt_brooke Such a delightful little read. 💚 5y
Freespirit Really special @britt_brooke ❤️ 5y
suvata Loved this book too 5y
See All 15 Comments
Cathythoughts Lovely review! I still have to read this 5y
Freespirit A real gem I thought @suvata 🥰 5y
Freespirit @Cathythoughts both books are short and really worth reading💕 5y
Crazeedi Love both books!!! 5y
JennyM I loved this one x 5y
Freespirit @Crazeedi and @JennyM It made me want to head straight to London and start exploring😂 5y
JennyM @Freespirit I‘ll book our tickets!!! 😘 5y
Crazeedi @JennyM @Freespirit count me in, I'm going too!!❤ 5y
JennyM @Crazeedi @Freespirit could you imagine how much fun that would be! Have a great day lovelies 😘😘 5y
Freespirit It would be a great adventure @Crazeedi @JennyM 😍 5y
CarolynM No, it's not still there, but there's a sign on the wall of the new building. 5y
Freespirit I will have to hunt it out one day @CarolynM 😊 5y
51 likes6 stack adds15 comments
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Andrea313
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Tonight's reading, with bonus cats. #currentlyreading #catsoflitsy

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Andrea313
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Is it really a #bookhaul if it's only two books? Either way, I picked these up today and couldn't be more psyched to dive in.

rubyslippersreads Great picks! 6y
10 likes1 comment
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Andrea313
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1. Proud Detroiter!
2. Helene Hanff, and it took me way too long.
3. Well over 100 at this point...
4. You will see lots of photos taken from my Reading Chair under my striped blue throw with a black cat on my lap.
5. I recommend the Betsy-Tacy series every chance I get. Lovers of L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Louisa May Alcott, you need to have Maud Hart Lovelace's beautiful works in your life.

#littenintro @tessavi

rubyslippersreads Excellent recommendation! 6y
Andrea313 @rubyslippersreads I thought you might like it. ❤️ 6y
tessavi Thank you for the recommendations! 6y
14 likes1 stack add3 comments
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HardcoverHearts
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On the train to Oxford to show this little gem of a city to my mother and husband for the first time. On a whim, at the last moment, I grabbed my copy of this book. It‘s a follow up to my absolutely favorite book, 84, Charing Cross Road. I‘m doing a read-along of the book on January 1st here on Litsy, in case you want to join along. This book was a delight! It‘s the journal she kept of her very first trip to London and it‘s inspiring!

charl08 Gorgeous edition. 6y
LauraBeth What a beautiful cover! 6y
Zelma I will probably read 84, Charing across Road on New Year‘s since I missed the readalong last year. And my copy of Duchess at Bloomsbury Street is on its way at the library! 6y
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HardcoverHearts @charl08 @LauraBeth - thank you! It‘s very delicate, and I was worried about splitting the cover. 6y
HardcoverHearts @Zelma - that would be wonderful!! 6y
Nebklvr Have you read Q‘s Lagacy? 6y
HardcoverHearts @Nebklvr - it‘s waiting for me back at the flat now! I hope it‘s as good! 6y
38 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Macnjen
Pickpick

I loved this. I didn‘t get a lot of the references but I loved how much she loved London and all of her experiences. Definitely read “84, Charing Cross Road” first.

8 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
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I love Helene and wish she was my friend. her writing cracks me up.

Laura317 Oh, I would love to have a friend like her. 6y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Pamwurtzler
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1. Pirates of the Caribbean Monopoly. On the right, my money. On the left, @kitty_reads money. Sad.
2. We‘re hosting 15 people. I‘m tired already.
3. I‘d like to chill and read. Probably not gonna happen.
4. My kindle cover
5. 👍🏻👍🏻
#humpdaypost

CouronneDhiver Does @kitty_reads do loans? 😂😂 6y
Pamwurtzler @CouronneDhiver Noooo she does not. And never giver her the 4th railroad (or in this case, pirate ship) no matter what she offers in trade. 6y
39 likes2 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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#AugustIsATrip Today, I‘ll like to bring you to a #bookstore on Charing Cross Road. Love these two books.

Laura317 I am was the first one and loved it. Now to get the 2nd. 6y
Mandigolightly Love 84 Charing Cross Road! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💗💗 6y
See All 7 Comments
Sarah83 I love them so much 😍 6y
LeahBergen Love! 💕💕 6y
vkois88 I love the covers 6y
90 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Maria514626
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Pickpick

#mounttbrreadathon post 6: This was a fun travelogue. I loved how she was taken in by so many people! But as a travelogue and a whirl of social engagements, it was light. That said, it was just the right length. Amazing how many people wanted to be near her after reading 84 Charing Cross Road.

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AmberWB
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Pickpick

This was as delightful as 84, Charing Cross Road. Helene Hanff seems like someone I would have loved to spend a day with and, after reading her books, I don‘t think I am the only one. The last few pages were definitely bitter sweet, as her time in London came to a close and she realized she‘d probably not make it back. Highly recommended.
@bookriot
#readharder #onesittingbook

CherryPie Excellent. I really want this to be as successful as 84. 7y
Bry I just discovered 84, Charing Cross Road and now want to read all of her books! 7y
13 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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AmberWB
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I read 84, Charing Cross Road and thought it was absolutely delightful. Hoping to enjoy this one just as much.

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TheWellAccompaniedBook
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Mehso-so

It was ok. I like the way Helene Hanff sees the world, and I loved 84 Charing Cross Rd, but there wasn‘t anything really captivating about this for me.

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erzascarletbookgasm
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The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, is a sequel to her earlier epistolary novel, 84 Charing Cross Road. ❤️both!

#bestsequelyouread #allthebooksof2017

LeahBergen Me, too! ❤️ 7y
CarolynM And me! 7y
Sarah83 Loved it so much 😍 7y
CoffeeCatsBooks Loved them both! 7y
MaureenMc Ditto. 😊 7y
71 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Pickpick

This is a gem of a book! A sequel to 84 Charing Cross Road, it's a journal of the author's experiences in London. Full of forthright witty remarks, humorous incidents and insightful observations. I can understand and share her excitement as she visited the literary places of interests that she has read and dreamt of visiting. Lovely city, lovely read. 💗

Bluebird I love 84 Charing Cross Road and didn't realize there was a follow up. Must add this to my TBR mountain! 7y
Susannah I just got this in the mail on Thursday. I've read it before, but I'm thinking of taking a trip to London early next year (for the first time!), and this seemed like the perfect book to read while I make a final decision. I love Helene Hanff. 🇺🇸❤️📚🇬🇧😊 7y
minkyb I never knew there was a follow up. How exciting! 7y
See All 8 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm @Bluebird @minkyb You'll love it! And when you're done with this, look up for Apple of My Eye, where she wrote about New York City (on my wish list). 7y
erzascarletbookgasm @Susannah I hope you'll find some of the things there useful, hopefully not outdated. Have a fun time planning your trip! 😊 7y
kspenmoll Loved these two books so much- just discovered them this year!!! 7y
minkyb Even more exciting!!! 7y
Bluebird Thanks! Didn't know about that on either! 7y
53 likes5 stack adds8 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Err, so here I am at the end of the #24in48 #readathon. Only 3 books and halfway through the tagged book which is contained in the 84 Charing Cross Road paperback. Wish I did more, but I'm glad I joined in, or I wouldn't have read these much on my normal weekend!
Great job to all who participated and congratulations to those who completed (and exceeded) the target! 👏🏼📚🏅Thanks Rachel and the team at @24in48 . This has been fun! 😗

LauraJ Reading any more than you normally would is a success in my book! 🏅 7y
erzascarletbookgasm @LauraJ Yes, I concur! Thanks 😊 7y
Kalalalatja Well done you! 👏👏 7y
53 likes3 comments
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merelybookish
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I volunteered today at my library's Whale of a Sale. This is what I brought home. Pretty pleased with my finds (and restraint.) They're all first editions except for the Hanff.

kspenmoll Sorry could not edit previous comment. Tried to say I have read & enjoyed both the Hanff book & (edited) 7y
merelybookish @kspenmoll I can't edit comments either. It's an Android problem, I think. Kind of annoying. 🙄 But good to hear you liked the L'Engle. It was the one I'm least familiar with. 7y
kspenmoll Went through a period where I read all of her work! 7y
68 likes4 comments
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kspenmoll
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#immersedinLondon #neverbeenthere #coffeeandbooks
So happy I was surprised with two books in one. Had no idea;no indication on book cover. I highly recommend this sequel to 84 Charting CrossRoad. Happy to escape into her world & time period. She is witty,a keen observer of daily life on her walks, manages to convey the uniqueness of the people she meets in London. Her determination to visit planned literary places reminds me of me when traveling.

60 likes1 stack add