Search for books, people and lists
Read This Twice
HomePeopleBooksSonaLibrariesSign in

Best Books About London

Walk the streets of London through the pages of these acclaimed books. Our list showcases widely recognized titles that capture the essence of the city, as celebrated in popular literary reviews.

Recommendations from 31 articles, Barack Obama, Richard Branson, Neil Gaiman and 22 others.
87 books on the list
Sort by
Number of Articles
Layout
London book cover
London
The Biography
Peter Ackroyd - 2003-01-01 (first published in 2000)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the rich history and culture of London through the eyes of acclaimed author Peter Ackroyd. In this engaging and captivating biography, Ackroyd brings the city to life, tracing its growth and change from the Druids to the present day. With insightful anecdotes and a deep passion for his subject, Ackroyd shows how London's history has shaped its people and its institutions. Learn why this tome has been hailed as the definitive biography of one of the world's most iconic cities, and discover why Peter Ackroyd is considered a master of the London imagination.
Mrs. Dalloway book cover
Mrs. Dalloway
Virginia Woolf - 2002-10-28 (first published in 1925)
Goodreads Rating
An entrancing story of a day in two lives united by circumstance. Clarissa Dalloway prepares for a party, while Septimus Warren Smith suffers from shell-shock and is on the brink of madness. Virginia Woolf's masterful novel employs interior monologue to perfect a convergence of past, present, and future in one momentous day in June 1923. A must-read literary classic.
Recommended by
Corey Robin
Brick Lane book cover
Brick Lane
A Novel
Monica Ali - 2004-06-02 (first published in 2003)
Goodreads Rating
Experience the vibrant East London immigrant community through the eyes of two Bangladeshi sisters, Nazneen and Hasina. Journey with them as they navigate diverging paths in a culture that is both ancient and contemporary. Monica Ali's skilled narrative illuminates the psychological and spiritual tension between different forms of love experienced by the sisters. With well-developed characters and great poignancy, Brick Lane offers a bittersweet portrayal of the immigrant experience. Comparisons to the work of Amy Tan only scratch the surface of Ali's debut novel.
prettycitylondon book cover
prettycitylondon
Discovering London's Beautiful Places
Siobhan Ferguson - 2018-04-16
Goodreads Rating
Discover the hidden gems of London with prettycitylondon. This guidebook showcases the tranquil and picturesque corners of the bustling city, from quaint mews and flower markets to artisan bakeries and vintage shops. Authored by the founder of Instagram's @prettycitylondon, the guide also includes tips on photography and planning your own escape.
White Teeth book cover
White Teeth
A Novel
Zadie Smith - 2001-06-12 (first published in 2000)
Goodreads Rating
Set against London's diverse racial and cultural backdrop, this invigorating novel follows two unlikely friends, Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal, and their families as they become agents of England’s irrevocable transformation. With wit and humor, the story explores the intricacies of second marriages, late-in-life arranged marriages, and the challenges faced by their children as they navigate their identities in a multicultural world. Embark on a journey that barrels toward the future while delving into the past as it revels in the ecstatic hodgepodge of modern life.
Midnight Riot book cover
Midnight Riot
Ben Aaronovitch - 2011-01-10
Goodreads Rating
When Probationary Constable Peter Grant gains exclusive information from a ghost eyewitness regarding a puzzling murder, his prospects change dramatically. He catches the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates the uncanny cases. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they are thrust into a world where mortals mingle with gods and goddesses and an ancient evil is returning on a tide of magic. Experience the thrilling wave of brutal and bizarre murders in Midnight Riot.
Londoners book cover
Londoners
The Days and Nights of London Now--As Told by Those Who Love It, Hate It, Live It, Left It, and Long for It
Craig Taylor - 2012-02-21 (first published in 2011)
Goodreads Rating
Londoners takes readers on a vibrant journey into the heart of today's London. Acclaimed journalist Craig Taylor captures the stories and dreams of those who love, hate, and long for the vibrant British metropolis. From a rickshaw driver to a Soldier of the Guard at Buckingham Palace to a recovering heroin addict, the book is a celebration of the city's rich tapestry. The perfect read for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty and diversity of one of the world's greatest cities.
London book cover
London
The Novel
Edward Rutherfurd - 2011-09-07 (first published in 1997)
Goodreads Rating
Experience the rich tapestry of London's history through the lens of six families, spanning from Julius Caesar to the 20th century. Edward Rutherfurd's classic novel brings the city's ever-changing fortunes, fates, and intrigues to life, embodying the passion, struggle, wealth, and verve that define the greatest city in the world.
Queenie book cover
Queenie
Candice Carty-Williams - 2019-03-19
Goodreads Rating
This novel follows Queenie, a Jamaican British woman in London trying to find her place in a world that doesn't quite fit her. After a difficult breakup, she seeks comfort in all the wrong places, including dangerous men. As Queenie struggles to make sense of her life, readers are taken on a journey that is both funny and heartbreaking. Written with fresh and honest prose, this is a relatable and inclusive exploration of what it means to be a modern woman in today's world.
Recommended by
Jess Brammar
Madeline in London by Ludwig Bemelmans
The Lonely Londoners by Samuel Selvon
London by Matthew Green
The Queen's Hat by S. Antony
A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
Georgian London by Lucy Inglis
Walk the Lines by Mark Mason
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Rick Steves London 2020 by Rick Steves
Katie In London by James Mayhew
Walk in London by Salvatore Rubbino
Small Island by Andrea Levy
London City Trails by Moira Butterfield
Tired of London, Tired of Life by Tom A. Jones
Literary London by Eloise Millar
London by Roy Porter
Maisy Goes to London by Lucy Cousins
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Bleak House by Gill Tavner
Diary of Samuel Pepys by Samuel Pepys
Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta
The 500 Hidden Secrets of London by Tom Greig
Restoration London by Liza Picard
London Labour And The London Poor (Wordsworth Classics Of World Literature) by Henry Mayhew
Secret London - An Unusual Guide by Rachel Howard, Bill Nash
Tower of the Five Orders by Deron R. Hicks
The London Encyclopaedia by Christopher Hibbert
The Victorian City by Judith Flanders
Paddington’s Guide to London by Michael Bond
The Diary of Samuel Pepys by Samuel Pepys
London for Children by Matteo Pericoli
Spitalfields by Dan Cruickshank
Quiet London by Siobhan Wall
Everything You Know About London Is Wrong by Matt Brown
Brixton Rock by Alex Wheatle
I Never Knew That About London by Christopher Winn
The Thames by Peter Ackroyd
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman
The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi
London Fields by Martin Amis
London Belongs to Us by Sarra Manning
Do Not Pass Go by Tim Moore
A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
1984 by George Orwell
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
London Under by Peter Ackroyd
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Charles Dickens Collection by Charles Dickens, Mil Nicholson, Bob Neufeld, Audio Classics
Neverwhere Illustrated Edition by Neil Gaiman
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
London by Jack Chesher, Katharine Fraser
London by Terry Deary
Curiocity by Henry Eliot
Lonely Planet London by Lonely Planet
See Inside London by Rob Lloydde Jones
National Archives Buildings That Made Lo by David Long
Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been? I've Been to London to Visit the Queen by Russell Punter
Beatrice and the London Bus by Francesca Lombardo
A Curious Guide to London by Simon Leyland
Luke Goes to London by Nick Croydon
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
My Name Is Victoria by Lucy Worsley
The Light Over London by Julia Kelly
Time's Arrow by Martin Amis
Meet Me in London by Georgia Toffolo
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Royal Rabbits of London by Santa Montefiore, Simon Sebag Montefiore
Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd, Chris Hirte
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes
Swing Time by Zadie Smith
Tunnel Vision by Keith Lowe
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle