The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2019

by Lia Leendertz

THE ORIGINAL & BESTSELLING ALMANAC 'I love this gem of a book' - Cerys Matthews 'This book is your bible' - The Independent '...it already feels like an annual necessity' - India Knight'Joyous' - Allan Jenkins'Updated for 2019 with more lovely ideas to celebrate the seasons' - Gardens Illustrated'A charming book. This is a real gem of a gift' - Sunday Express, S Magazine. A perfect toolkit connecting with the world around us and the year ahead as it unfolds - all in a compact and pocket size that just begs you to pick it up and browse - Reckless Gardener or Its range of information and depth of understanding of our seasons is priceless - Reckless GardenerThe A Seasonal Guide to 2019 reinvents the tradition of the rural almanac for a new audience. It gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month's unique nature, such as the meteor shower of the month, beehive behaviour, folklore and stories, seasonal recipes and charts tracking moon phases and tides. Why not try identifying trees by their bare buds in January; Enjoy Buttermilk scones with orangle blossom & honey butter in June; Discover the Chinese New Year story of 'The great race' in February.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.Praise for The A Seasonal Guide to 2018:'The perfect companion to the seasons' - India Knight'A richly layered book of events, celebrations and everyday information that together create a beautiful, fascinating resource . . . In the single month I've had my hands on it, the book has quietly "worked".' - Telegraph'Beautifully written, this pocket-sized guide is a labour of love and will remind you to appreciate little moments throughout the year.' - Gardens Illustrated'Elegant . . . an ideal stocking filler.' - The English Garden

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2018

About the author

Lia Leendertz is a gardener and writer. She writes about gardening, growing food and cooking, and her work has appeared in for the Telegraph, the Guardian, Gardens Illustrated, The Garden, and Simple Things magazine. She publishes an annual garden almanac.

Reviews

[Sarah Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading this book, this year. I have read each month's chapter on the 1st of every month. A lovely little book which helps you connect with the seasons. I am looking forward to receiving next years book too.

[Victoria Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely slow read for the start of each month. Lots of useful information peppered with folk stories, songs and recipes. A very beautiful and worthy addition to any bedside table.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book that I will enjoy dipping back into throughout 2019.

[Thelastwordreview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like me follow the path of the seasons through each month of the year? I have been since my youth as the seasons turn from Winter to Spring and then the long days of Summer. I could not resist buying a copy of The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2019 by the award winning writer Lia Leendertz (Mitchell Beazley).

This just has to be one of the most beautiful books of 2018. Each month is guides to nature, when to look out for the first of our birds that brighten our summers. But also if like me you are a keen gardener then this gem of a book will be perfect for you. Many are now enjoying growing their own vegetables and Lia’s handy sized book will be a handy book.

Through each month are recipes to try out and stories and folklore. There is even a cheese of the month which will appeal to all cheese aficionados like me. But overall it is the beautiful presentation and the cover and illustrations by Celia Hart that give The Almanac its real warmth.
Harking back to days gone by I found The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2019 just turned the clock back to seasonal almanacs I read as a boy. It read like a scenic journey through the year. This would make the ideal gift for Christmas and I have already bought a number of copies for friends. Highly recommended.

272 Pages.

[Angela Moore Garden Tea Cakes and Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started to read this little book of loveliness I realised it was not a book you read and put down but one that stays with you through the year ahead. It contains more than just facts and information but provides inspiration, even a leading hand to helping the reader to see nature, the evening skies, and even your garden differently. This book will be by my side as the rain pours or the sun shines, as the days pass it will be my companion in the year ahead.

The introduction of the book also helps you decide how the book can fit within your lifestyle, how much time, ability or even inclination you can spare. Lia describes it as a toolkit for the reader to pick out the elements that suit them, so for me I can not always embrace the high energy suggestions due to my physical disability. But that does not mean I can not enjoy or learn from them.

I know that when you start reading this book that you are sure to jump a head to your birth month just as I did to discover what my cheese of the month would be, which is just one of interesting facts you will find in The Almanac.

Add this most pleasing of books to your shopping list hand have it to hand through 2019...enjoy.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What it says on the cover, a simple almanac, but full of lovely extras. It's divided into months. Each month contains a host of information like the tides, astronomical dates and times, gardening guides, etc. It also contains traditional stories, recipes, songs (with music), background information for instance on flowers, meteor showers and holidays. It is British based, covering stories, songs and recipes from all British countries and Ireland. It also has beautiful hand drawings. A beautiful almanac, fully functional but also enjoyable.

[Umide Sacoor Ahnemann]

In 2020, I bought Lia Leendertz's Almanac for the first time. With its repertoire of recipes, stories, songs, facts, and things to see out in nature throughout the year, it gave our family endless hours of joy. I liked it so much that I bought a copy from every year. I am also specifically grateful to this one for introducing me to Dorothy Hartley's fantastic classic FOOD IN ENGLAND.

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the monthly festivals, names of months, food and customs, but some of it was irrelevant to me personally. I'm not sure I'd buy it every year, but it's a cute addition to my library for 2019.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved doing this together each month. Definitely want another for next year

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greatly informative, I especially enjoyed each month's information on seasonal food/recipes and the naming of the months. Would definitely consider buying or gifting it for future years.

[Richard Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a wonderful, wonderful book that makes each month come alive.

[Sil]

One of those books that literally take an entire year to finish.

[Shelbycat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really useful and entertaining.

[Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and interesting book.

[JoJo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice reminder of things to do and look out for each month