Reviews

Toksvig's Almanac 2021 by Sandi Toksvig

kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition

5.0

As a starting point for your own discoveries, this was utterly fascinating. Originally got an audio version of it which was fantastic to listen to (narrated by the author herself with her inimitable tone of voice). Loved it so much, went out and bought a hardback, so I can a) dip back into bits and b) do the followup myself. Highly highly highly recommended. So much so I've given it a star rating which I'm loathe to do these days.

camillareadsbooks's review against another edition

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful, insightful, educational book. Sandi does a wonderful job of bringing the reader into the lives of countless influential women in history - piquing interest and encouraging further study and research. Her voice throughout the book felt to me as though I was having a compelling conversation with a friend. This was a witty and clever book that I very much enjoyed, and I feel that I’m a better person for reading it.

sophietica's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 actually. A book for dipping into, not reading in one go.

kingarooski's review against another edition

5.0

This is an almanac of women and women’s history, much of it unknown and untold. Sandi Toksvig is an amazing storyteller and writer and this book is filled to the brim with facts. I savoured it by reading the entries for a week at a time, but felt that this was the week to finish it. I will be dipping into this book for many years to come. Brilliant.

pewterwolf's review

4.0

I'm struggling to write this so might not go onto The Pewter Wolf Reads... as part of NetGalley November 2020. (I left it too long before I started writing this and I don't make notes!)

***Audiobook given by UK publisher, Trapeze, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***

I like this meander throughout history, each day dedicated to looking (briefly) at a woman throughout history, all of whom did extraordinary things but most/all of whom have been mostly forgotten (guess which gender wrote the history books, folks?). A line or two for some women, a paragraph to others.

While I enjoyed Sandi narrating this, I sense a book might be the better choice for some people as, if a woman and her history catches your mind, you might be a stuck on researching them if you don't know how to spell her name (I had this several times, hence me asking for this as a stocking filler for Christmas).

solanpolarn's review against another edition

5.0

Interesting snippets about women from all over the world and various historical time periods.

twosuns's review against another edition

DNF @20%. I thought this book was super interesting when I first bought it but I didn’t manage to keep up (I tried to read a little bit every day) after lockdown finished so dnf’ed for now. Might pick it up again in the future.

patti_pinguin's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

nanceoir's review against another edition

5.0

This was part of my daily reading challenge for 2023, and I really enjoyed it. I came to know Sandi Toksvig first as a guest, then as host, on QI, and she was always funny and clever. I enjoyed her 2020 VoxToks on YouTube, so it's no surprise I enjoyed this book, too. It's nice finding humor and personality in what is essentially a fact book. I just wish I could remember all the amazing (mostly) women featured here!

dogearedandfurry's review against another edition

5.0

Fascinating look at women through history, many of whom are amazing and we should know more about.