Early in 1960, Hanff writes to Frank in comedic despair after receiving a massive Giant Modern Library volume as a Christmas gift. The hefty book awkwardly pairs The Complete Poetry & Selected Prose of John Donne with The Complete Poetry of William Blake. Frustrated by the pairing and Blake’s mystical visions, Hanff declares that she dislikes Blake and finds Donne equally overwhelming. She begs “Frankie” for help, claiming the book is driving her “clear up the wall” before giving up and heading to bed to avoid “hideous nightmares” involving Donne’s sermons (75). On March 5, 1960, Frank writes to Hanff, addressing her request for more Donne and warning that the Complete Sermons run to more than 40 volumes and would be very expensive.

In a letter dated May 8, 1960, Hanff describes a chaotic evening at her home in New York. While she was trying to enjoy a peaceful moment with the radio, the arrival notice for De Tocqueville’s book sent her thoughts spiraling into American politics and the Democratic presidential hopefuls Kennedy, Stevenson, and Humphrey.

On February 2, 1961, Hanff writes to Frank announcing that she sold a story to Harper’s Magazine for $200, which helped pay off debts.