Tonight I leave to visit my wonderful friend Hayley and see her fabulous life as a graduate student in London! We will, of course, be doing many literary things (like watching Persuasion, yet again), and I am at the moment assembling books for my journey. In my bag: a London tour guide (of course), Mrs. Dalloway, yet another Churchill biography, a short history of London, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Probably more books than I need and will actually read, but I like to be over-prepared when it comes to books (who cares how much my carry-on weighs!). Any other suggestions, to my dozens of readers? What are some other good London-based, or generally British, books? (Image from my visit to Hayley in Oxford two years ago)
Well, I'm rereading Peter Pan right now (what else is new? I am forever rereading Peter Pan) and that's a book that feeds my love of London every time. Also see if you can get your hands on Graham Greene's "The Destructors" on short notice, I heartily recommend that. It's one of my favorite short stories--a nasty piece of work but soooo good. (And just to further wet your appetite, if you've ever seen Donnie Darko, it's the reading assignment that gets banned halfway through).
ReplyDeleteI was about to recommend Mary Poppins but then I realized I've never actually read Mary Poppins--only seen the movie but the movie may be responsible for why I love London so. I have to go read Mary Poppins now. I hope you have an amazing time.
And tell Hayley I say hi!
ReplyDeleteWe can go visit lots of bookstores and find you some nice English novels!!!!
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