The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Product Information

You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close. From astronomy to philosophy by way of cookery, music and the environment, Lia Leendertz has all bases covered to keep her readers grounded and in touch with their mental well-being. The recipes were especially welcome and although not one for astrology, I found the history of the zodiac signs and greek mythology to be fascinating. It is littered with black-lined illustrations and images that correspond perfectly to the item they accompany.

It is beautifully laid out with clear printing of the information, and illustrations of the tables – of tide times (with how to work it out for each locality at the start of the book) and phases of the moon. Including a lot of information, month by month, on the Solar System, the sea, the moon, gardening, the Zodiac, Nature, Music and some fabulous recipes it a great reference book. As such, it’s the perfect gift for gardeners and nature-lovers, and a great way to inject natural goodness to your day-to-day life. A little peek here and there led me to reading the book fully but I’ll still be reading it each month, as it’s honestly such an adorable book. The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 reinvents the tradition of the rural almanac for a new audience.

Look around you and you will see that everything in the natural world is closing down — you can take the darkness as a cue to do a little of this yourself.

If you are interested in the natural world and folklore this is an excellent month by month guide to the year. The only issue I had was that the writing is rather small so it wasn’t easy to read without my glasses! January - there are important dates for this month followed by a wonderful page of what January represents, it is a time of reflection as the daylight hours are not as long as we would like. This may include special days for particular faith like Lammas in the Christian faith in August, Bank Holidays, major sport events and other yearly landmarks like the Notting Hill Carnival.

I found it hard to keep this book for the new year, wanting to read through it before 2022 is even out. A total compendium for 2023 providing information about the moon cycle, the sea temperature, zodiac information and some seasonal recipes fitting with the holidays next year. And, threaded through the book, are in-depth insights to the cycle of a garden pond throughout the year.

But I've seen enough to know I'll be revisiting it throughout the year, because that is the whole point of the book - it's an almanac. Arranged by months, this book reflects a seasonal journey through the year from January through to December. The recipes were especially welcome and although not one for astrology, I found the history of the zodiac signs and greek mythology to be fascinating. And so this month we come to glittering, sparkling life, just as nature reaches its most complete hibernation.The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 by Lia Leendertz gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. If I have any criticism at all it’s of myself for not making more of the seasonal recipes or checking the tables for tides or the phase of the moon we’re in. The independent-minded quarterly magazine that combines good looks, good writing and a personal approach.