4.25* 

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael O'Mara Limited for an eARC of "The Secret Library" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. 

This revised edition of a 2016 release is a lighthearted wander through literary history packed with interesting literary facts and funny anecdotes. It meanders chronologically starting with ancient literature and bringing us up to date and reads like a series of vignettes making it easy to dip in and out of at your pleasure. 

I really enjoyed the variety of mini essays on offer and appreciated the introductions of early women writers including Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe.

Overall, a book for booklovers that is entertaining light reading with many facts and titbits that'll make you want to pick it up multiple times without fear of having to read a full book each time.

This re-release is published on March 28th 2024