Great list. One of these days I'll get round to reading that Ackroyd book. I've read the Orwell (and even went to the south of France and looked for kitchen jobs in an attempt to learn French/emulate Orwell!) and Empireland, which was brilliant (there's a follow-up to it as well).
Another work of fiction I'd add is 'Capital' by John Lanchester.
I'm reading my first Zadie Smith, Dead and Alive, her essay collection and I'm blown away by what a brilliant writer she is. I have On Beauty on my bookshelf but now I'm sorely tempted to read N/W.
I’ve not read Capital from Lanchester. I’ve read Fragrant Harbor of his which made the Hong Kong list so I will definitely check this out. Zadie is such an amazing writer.
Awww I went to Wimbledon once, and I did love the queue. We were young enough to think sleeping overnight in a random field, to queue for tickets we couldn’t afford, to watch a sport we knew nothing of, would be fun? And it so was!
I’ve read some of these and will look up others, cheers 🙂
Read 4 of these. What particularly stood out to me was Londoners. I can still recall the accounts of Tube workers about unusual objects people forget in trains.
There’s a great second-hand bookshop on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton. The sort of place you can lose yourself for an hour.
Excellent tip, I love Brixton and will head here next time. Thank you!
Give me a shout if you do: I’m just up the road
Thanks Scott.
I'm heading to London next month for my annual visit, I'm going to give a couple of these a try.
Sounds great, have a nice trip, too!
Great list. One of these days I'll get round to reading that Ackroyd book. I've read the Orwell (and even went to the south of France and looked for kitchen jobs in an attempt to learn French/emulate Orwell!) and Empireland, which was brilliant (there's a follow-up to it as well).
Another work of fiction I'd add is 'Capital' by John Lanchester.
I'm reading my first Zadie Smith, Dead and Alive, her essay collection and I'm blown away by what a brilliant writer she is. I have On Beauty on my bookshelf but now I'm sorely tempted to read N/W.
I’ve not read Capital from Lanchester. I’ve read Fragrant Harbor of his which made the Hong Kong list so I will definitely check this out. Zadie is such an amazing writer.
Awww I went to Wimbledon once, and I did love the queue. We were young enough to think sleeping overnight in a random field, to queue for tickets we couldn’t afford, to watch a sport we knew nothing of, would be fun? And it so was!
I’ve read some of these and will look up others, cheers 🙂
That sounds like a great queue experience indeed!
Read 4 of these. What particularly stood out to me was Londoners. I can still recall the accounts of Tube workers about unusual objects people forget in trains.
Yes, Londoners is a great one, I really love first hand account books like this. It is such a great way to learn about a place.