Earlier this year I came upon 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. It was on a book list and it looked interesting and the library had it, so I read it. It's a short book of 20 years worth of letters between Helene, living in New York City and Frank Doel, chief buyer for Marks & Co antiquarian booksellers, located at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. It started as purely business: Helene was looking for various used books and Frank was selling them. Over time, their relationship grew, and others in the store and in Frank's life joined in the letter writing. It's just a simple story of a friendship that grew through letters and shared bits of life. It's also a peek into England post-WW2.
Recently I finished the follow up: The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street. After 84, Charing Cross Road was published in the UK, Helene was finally able to visit London. She met many of the people she had been corresponding with (although sadly not Frank, who died before the book was written) and several of her fans. It is Helene's journal about her fun in London. It's also a short book, but quite interesting.
Neither book is incredibly deep, but I found them to be simple, interesting stories of life.
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