Books like Underfoot in show business by Helene Hanff

Helene Hanff’s witty correspondence with the bookshop at 84, Charing Cross Road in London sparks a charming long‑distance friendship, revealing the world of second‑hand books and the intellectual life of London.

Julia Child’s bestselling memoir chronicles her journey from an awkward newcomer in 1948 France to the beloved American cooking icon she would become.

A collection of urban fantasy tales set in the fictional Canadian town of Newford, where everyday street life intertwines with ancient myths, magical beings, and quirky characters like painter Jilly, fiddler Geordie, and the mysterious Angel of Grasso Street.

In the glittering art scene of New York City, a satirical eye reveals the lavish glamour and cunning subterfuge that drive auctions, greed, and social customs behind the curtain of fine art.

Better known for her five volume portrait of English rural life, Our Village, Mary Russell Mitford (1787-1855) was one of the most prolific female writers of her day. Part critical essay, part autobiography, Recollections consists of a series of sketches on and selections from Mitford's favourite authors, stemming from her desire 'to make others relish a few favourite writers as heartily as I have relished them myself'. The collection is arranged according to Mitford's own eclectic system of categorization including 'fashionable poets', 'cavalier poets', and 'poetry that poets love'. Mitford wears her immense literary skill lightly and Recollections is masterfully written, full of lively wit and fascinating biographical detail. Published just three years before Mitford's death, it was based on earlier articles and letters. Authors included range from Chaucer to Sir Walter Scott and Mitford's friend Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

A collection of Helene Hanff’s witty, affectionate musings on New York life, drawn from six years of her BBC broadcasts and her famed correspondence with 84 Charing Cross Road.