That’s one of my favorite semi-forgotten talents of the 20th century, song-and-dance man Jack Buchanan. (If he rings a bell, it may be due to 1953’s The Band Wagon.) Being so very British, he obviously knows that no matter how busy one is, one simply must stop for teatime.

I’m pleased to report that we agree with Mr. Buchanan – in-person Teatime will return to the Reference Room on September 6. It takes place Monday through Friday, 3:00 to 3:30 PM. Whoever’s around the building at that time is welcome to drop in. Enjoy a cup of hot tea, herbal tea, or instant coffee with cream and sweetener to taste – plus cookies and occasional other treats – and book-friendly chat with your fellow Library patrons.

To get us in the tea-drinking mood, here’s a small handful of our many books related to the historic beverage. (Start here to leaf through more of the collection.)

In the sidebar and below is the delightful Teatime Around the World by Denyse Waissbluth and Chelsea O’Byrne.

You might also enjoy

• The Book of Coffee and Tea: A Guide to the Appreciation of Fine Coffees, Teas, and Herbal Beverages by Joel, David, and Karl Schapira, illustrated by Meri Shardin
• A Thirst for Empire: How Tea Shaped the Modern World by Erika Rappaport
• Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf That Conquered the World by Markman Ellis, Richard Coulton, and Matthew Mauger
• Green Gold: The Empire of Tea by Alan Macfarlane and Iris Macfarlane

We look forward to sharing a cuppa with you!