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World » Europe » Britain » London

Most Recommended Books

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

“We have this tour de force writing where he describes the London fog. It’s grey in the countryside and as it moves closer to the centre of the City of London it gets blacker and blacker.”

Christine L. Corton, Biographer

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Our collection of expert curated books on London.

London is a "vast, complex and confusing city which has existed now for 2,000 years. It was described by William Blake as “a Human awful wonder of God,” which suggests the sacred or sacramental aspect of the city. But, of course, it is also a place of power and a place of money. London has been built upon the imperatives of money and power. That is its real raison d’être. It is not a formal or elegant city. It has not been built to accord with the wishes of its citizens. It has had a sort of natural organic growth which has taken a thousand different forms."

Our recommendations for books about London cover its history,  literature and culture. Charles Dickens one of Londons most famous authors unsurprisingly gets several mentions.

    The best books on London Fog, recommended by Christine L. Corton

  • Read
    The best books on London Fog - Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

    1

    Our Mutual Friend
    by Charles Dickens

  • Read
    The best books on London Fog - New Grub Street by George Gissing

    2

    New Grub Street
    by George Gissing

  • Read
    The best books on London Fog - The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes

    3

    The Lodger
    by Marie Belloc Lowndes

  • Read
    The best books on London Fog - Party Going by Henry Green

    4

    Party Going
    by Henry Green

  • Read
    The best books on London Fog - The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon

    5

    The Lonely Londoners
    by Sam Selvon

The best books on London Fog, recommended by Christine L. Corton

Christine L. Corton describes how Londoners loved and hated the fog that defined their city for over 200 years. Fog bought confusion, suicide and death; but also anonymity, mystery and beauty. Here, she picks the best five books on the pea-souper

    The best books on London’s Addictions, recommended by Dr Matthew Green

  • Read
    The best books on London’s Addictions - The True History of Chocolate by Sophie and Michael Coe

    1

    The True History of Chocolate
    by Sophie and Michael Coe

  • Read
    The best books on London’s Addictions - The Smoke of the Gods: A Social History of Tobacco by Eric Burns

    2

    The Smoke of the Gods: A Social History of Tobacco
    by Eric Burns

  • Read
    The best books on London’s Addictions - The Diary of Dudley Ryder, 1715-1716 by Dudley Ryder

    3

    The Diary of Dudley Ryder, 1715-1716
    by Dudley Ryder

  • Read
    The best books on London’s Addictions - Samuel Johnson: The Major Works by ed. by Donald Green

    4

    Samuel Johnson: The Major Works
    by ed. by Donald Green

  • Read
    The best books on London’s Addictions - London Calling by Barry Miles

    5

    London Calling
    by Barry Miles

The best books on London’s Addictions, recommended by Dr Matthew Green

The social historian argues London is an intrinsically addictive city. He charts its history through its dependencies on chocolate, tobacco, coffee, and tea.

    The Best London Books, recommended by Peter Ackroyd

  • Read
    The Best London Books - A Survey of London: Written in the Year 1598 by John Stow

    1

    A Survey of London: Written in the Year 1598
    by John Stow

  • Read
    The Best London Books - Bleak House by Charles Dickens

    2

    Bleak House
    by Charles Dickens

  • Read
    The Best London Books - Prehistoric London: Its Mounds and Circles by EO Gordon

    3

    Prehistoric London: Its Mounds and Circles
    by EO Gordon

  • Read
    The Best London Books - The Diary of Samuel Pepys by Samuel Pepys

    4

    The Diary of Samuel Pepys
    by Samuel Pepys

  • Read
    The Best London Books - London: A Pilgrimage by Blanchard Jerrold and Gustave Doré

    5

    London: A Pilgrimage
    by Blanchard Jerrold and Gustave Doré

The Best London Books, recommended by Peter Ackroyd

The historian and biographer of London Peter Ackroyd picks five books that shine a light on parts of this vast, complex and confusing city where, he says, pathos and pantomime meet.

    The Best London Novels, recommended by Iain Sinclair

  • Read
    The Best London Novels - London Bridge by Louis-Ferdinand Céline

    1

    London Bridge
    by Louis-Ferdinand Céline

  • Read
    The Best London Novels - Mother London by Michael Moorcock

    2

    Mother London
    by Michael Moorcock

  • Read
    The Best London Novels - Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

    3

    Our Mutual Friend
    by Charles Dickens

  • Read
    The Best London Novels - Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton

    4

    Hangover Square
    by Patrick Hamilton

  • Read
    The Best London Novels - The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad

    5

    The Secret Agent
    by Joseph Conrad

The Best London Novels, recommended by Iain Sinclair

A city of hidden depths and morbid fascination, by turns respectable and savage. Iain Sinclair picks five novels that capture the spirit and rich history of London.

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