This year’s little yellow book

Reviews of Wisden Cricketer's’ Almanack are a strange thing. They appear in newspapers on the day of the book’s release, and yet even the sadly-departed Kim ‘Rain Man’ Peek would not have been able to read the book in such a short space of time.

Peek’s speed reading skills would have even been put to the test if he had been charged with finishing the book before the next issue of the Wisden Cricketer.

And let’s face it, the book isn't designed to be read like that anyway.

The fact that Wisden lasts for the entire year is the very essence of its unique charm. It is twelve days since the package from Amazon dropped through my letter-box with a hearty clunk, and I am on page 24. Only 1704 to go.

Therefore a conventional review is pointless. The book looks great, has articles by the best writers, and is accurate and comprehensive. Big deal. We knew that already.

My plan is different. Instead, I will treat Wisden 2010 like about fifty separate books, and review on this blog each ‘book’ as I complete it.

The reviews may not go in order, but neither does Wisden. There’s no way I’m waiting until about next March to read Robin Martin-Jenkins’ book reviews .