This is sort of a memoir-ish account of Collins’ move from San Francisco, California to Hay-on-Wye, the famous “Town of Books” in Wales. I visited Hay-on-Wye in 2000, and found the place delightful. I have fond memories of browsing for books in the shadow of Hay Castle.

The book was great fun. Collins incorporates references to obscure books throughout his narrative, as well as observations on life in Britain. A favorite passage involves a meditation on water pressure in British showers.

Another favorite passage:

“If a book cover has raised lettering, metallic lettering, or raised metallic lettering, then it is telling the reader: ‘Hello. I am an easy-to-read work on espionage, romance, a celebrity, and/or murder.’ To readers who do not care for such things, this lettering tells them: ‘Hello. I am crap.’”

You may be interested to note that Sixpence House has no raised lettering, metallic lettering, or raised metallic lettering on its cover.