Long time readers will know that I adore the reader's quarterly, Slightly Foxed. I wrote an article about it at Bookslut last year and have been a subscriber since the first issue. Last week I got my web guy, the fabulous Craig Mod, to add the Slightly Foxed logo and a link to my sidebar (see it down under the links). I didn't do this casually - I'm not taking ad money or anything for this - but I really think that there are readers out there who don't know about it and would like to see exactly what it has to offer. (Here's a link to another recent entry about the fall 05 issue.)

The summer issue arrived while I was gone and like always it has a ton of essays about books and authors I am now fascinated with. I was happy to see an article on Henry Mitchell, a gardening author whose essay collections on are my shelf. I have referred to Mitchell more then I can say to answer questions about what to plant or where (or why something is dying). He was such a witty and knowledgeable author as Tim Longville attests to in his piece for the magazine.

There are two articles about Stella Gibbons and Cold Comfort Farm (and Mary Webb, whose work inspired her) but the one that really caught my eye was about Kurban Said and his novel Ali and Nino (written in 1936). Said was the object of the popular biography by Tom Reiss that came out last year, The Orientalist. This book was already on my radar as Christmas list potential but reading Anthony Sattin's essay has just confirmed it. What a fascinating (and ultimately tragic) life this man led (real name Lev Nussinbaum, changed to Essad Bey and using the nom de plume of Kurban Said). His novel sounds equally impressive and in Sattin's words can "seriously colour your life."

Slightly Foxed might seem pricey for four issues a year - about $75 at the current exchange rate - BUT take note that this is only the price of three hardcover books and we all buy a ton of those that we wish we hadn't. I rationalize that I learn so much about so many books and authors in every issue that I can't afford not to have it. Its the smart well-written (and beautifully designed) journal that America is sadly lacking and I'm thrilled with each and every issue I have received. If you know a bibliophile, you might want to think about this perfect gift.