Books to read before visiting London

There is so much mystery, magic and literature present in the streets of London. The city gifts different experiences to everybody, but every visit is a chapter cherished and remembered.

thesqua.re, an esteemed provider of luxury apartments in London, has compiled a list of books for you that will give you a case of London wanderlust. These stories have an essence of the city. They capture London in various forms: poetic, romantic, prejudiced, raw and enchanted.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

The unique story that takes place in a single day, Mrs. Dalloway is a piece of art. The book explores topics like class, politics, society and love. It’s an analysis of a day in London, June 1923, as Clarissa Dalloway gets ready to host a party. The iconic author, Virginia Woolf, gives you a convincing insight of a day post World War I in the streets of London, with two parallel stories.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A beautiful piece of literary art, this age-old fiction was first published in the year 1813. One of the most popular novels of all times, Pride and Prejudice showcases the exquisiteness of phrased irony in literature. It takes you on a journey with Elizabeth Bennet, a young girl with a sharp sense of wit and dialogue. The book deals with the issues of morality, education, and marriage in the society of the British elite. The book will take you on a fictitious tour of London, full of love, pride and prejudice.

Brick Lane by Monica Ali

A vibrant debut from Monica Ali, Brick Lane takes you on an East London adventure. The book explores an immigrant girl’s adaptability and limits, as she settles down, in the Bangladeshi community in London. The story explores Nazneen’s subtle transformation from a submissive, subordinate wife to someone who has a voice.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

A modern age romance set in a sleepy English town; ‘Me Before You’ deals with sacrifice, love and tragedy. Strong emotions and well-formed characters make this book a must-read for every beating heart out there. The book has such a brilliant representation of English people, that it made it to the list.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

A story of a young wizard that takes you on a magical journey, Harry Potter is one of the best-written series of the modern times. The book instills lessons about growing up, friendships and believing in magic. J.K Rowling has woven a fantasy for her readers that is mystic and sorcerous. And it all starts with this first edition.

A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Guo, Xiaolu

A modern piece of literature that talks about individuality and the cultural divide in London. The book by Chinese author Guo Xiaolu, is a contemporary story of a 20-year-old girl from China, who belongs and not-belongs in London. From language barriers to emotional ones, the book deals with multiple issues and self-discovery.

London: A Biography by Peter Ackroyd

A book with exhaustively examined accounts of London, the book by Peter Ackroyd is a passionate accumulation of the city’s past and present. As the heart of London beats, the book is described as a biography and not another piece of history. The account does not follow a conventional path. An unorthodox approach at London’s history, there is beauty in the parts Ackroyd selects and equal mystery in the ones he ignores.

“How to be an Alien” by George Mikes

A cheery perspective of an outsider on the peculiar English way of living, the book gently mocks the strange people. Full of humor and wit, it cleverly accounts the behavior and habits of the English people. This light-hearted piece is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to London.

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A beginning and introduction of the famous literary detective Sherlock Holmes, a study in scarlet is a classic. The fascinating mystery of the book keeps you glued to the story and the iconic detective entertained. This first grand appearance of Sherlock Holmes is a delightful discovery for the series to follow.

Do you have your reading list in place now? You are welcome.

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