{"id":103742,"date":"2024-02-21T13:25:46","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T19:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?p=103742"},"modified":"2024-02-21T13:25:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T19:25:46","slug":"to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"To read or not to read: British books to binge before your London holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Medill Explores: Arts and Culture in London students
\n<\/strong>Medill Reports<\/em><\/p>\n

Why not grab a cup of tea and curl up with an England- or royals-themed novel, guide or expos\u00e9? Medill master\u2019s students turned hundreds of pages to immerse themselves in U.K. culture before heading across the pond.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Royal reads<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The
Courtesy of Amazon <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe Diana Chronicles,\u201d British journalist Tina Brown\u2019s 2007\u00a0biography of \u201cthe people\u2019s princess,\u201d thoroughly covers both famous and intimate moments from a highly scrutinized life and death. The former editor-in-chief of Tatler, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker interviewed 250 people, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, former aides, royal biographers and peripheral characters from Diana\u2019s life. Despite the plethora of voices, the biography struggles to provide a fresh perspective. Even after sharing a meal with Diana, Brown\u2019s glimpse into who the late princess was, outside of the public eye, still reads like an outsider looking in. Given the tight-lipped nature of the royal family, the sources\u2019 insight and stories of Diana feel like continued gossip, rather than an understanding of who she was at her core. Brown speculates about what Diana thought and felt, which comes across entirely like guesswork. In one instance, Brown claims, \u201cDiana grew up associating the camera with love\u201d\u2014 a bold, unsubstantiated stretch, based simply on her father\u2019s fondness for photography. Oddly, the book lacks any pictures of the princess \u2014 ironic given the exorbitant number of images of her throughout her life and her tumultuous dynamic with the press.\u00a0\u2013 Samantha Thomas<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Prince
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In \u201cPrince William (The Boy Who Will Be King),\u201d Randi Reisfeld, author of the popular young adult series \u201cT*Witches,\u201d needs just 160 pages to playfully introduce the\u00a0House of Windsor and English monarchy to tweens and teens. In 12 chronological chapters, she breezily covers the first 15 years of William\u2019s life as heir to the British throne. Light and casual (she exclusively refers to the future king as \u201cWills,\u201d Princess Diana’s nickname for her son), this glimpse into the Prince of Wales\u2019 childhood is punctuated by the author’s liberal use of exclamation points. Reisfeld presents the monarchy favorably, glossing over issues like colonialism while calling the births of William and brother Harry “blessed events.” The unauthorized biography whisks readers through many of Wills’ formative experiences and royal training, while arguing he’s a normal kid\u00a0who just so happens to be a prince<\/em>. The overwhelming majority of information Reisfeld includes already has been widely publicized. She confines new details about the prince to random factlets (did you know Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s personal gynecologist delivered him?) and sometimes hard-to-believe anecdotes, including gossip surrounding his parents\u2019 infidelities. Ten glossy photos of William and his family mid-book add color to these tales. \u2013 Sylvie Kirsch<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

British life and language <\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Fancy
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Blimey, reader! Down on your teatime bromides and cockney slang? In \u201cFancy a Cuppa? The Hilarious Pocket Guide to British Slang,\u201d English soccer commentator Jeff Watson explains what the bloody hell all that means. In this how-to manual, he\u00a0helps visitors avoid gobsmacking local blokes with their linguistic ignorance and even retort with some banter of their own. (\u201cYou gormless swine!\u201d) OK, enough of these cryptic, quirky terms \u2014 this amusing booklet deciphers them. The 100-pager, organized into 20 chapters, each with a different theme (e.g., emotions or clothes), also includes brief lessons in etymology for common phrases Americans have borrowed from Brits, such as feeling \u201cunder the weather,\u201d as well as British English translations for American words with different meanings, such as “biscuit” instead of “cookie.” Easy to skim and occasionally sardonic, playful yet informative, \u201cFancy a Cuppa?\u201d presents a fun learning experience for English speakers who want to improve their vocabulary or for any prospective traveler to Old Blighty (\u201cGreat Britain\u201d). Read it \u2014 but choose wisely who you insult with its contents.\u00a0\u2013 Michael Lindemann<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Cosy:
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In \u201cCosy: The British Art of Comfort,\u201d Laura Weir, the editor-in-chief of the London Evening Standard\u2019s ES Magazine, invites readers to slow down and practice the art of relaxation. In different chapters, she tucks in essays about her idyllic childhood, a Q&A with the founder of a wool brand and her nanny\u2019s cottage pie recipe. She sprinkles in humor. \u201cYou don\u2019t take someone upstairs for a tea\u201d is her explanation of why tea is not “saucy.” Weir also encourages helping others feel cozy by, for example, taking a neighbor some soup. The author started writing to \u201chide away and find solitude\u201d in a depressing political environment, and it became her remedy to \u201csoften the edges of life.\u201d To find peace in a chaotic world, read these 176 pages of casual writings and playful sketches for a mental massage and a little retreat. \u2013 Tianshu Hu<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Guidebooks<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe Adventures of Bella & Harry: Let\u2019s Visit London!\u201d is a delightful primer for parents who wish to educate young children about the historic metropolis. Author Lisa Manzione and illustrator Kristine Lucco\u2019s wide-eyed, painted Chihuahuas, Bella and Harry, begin by separating fiction vs. reality (are there still armored knights in London?) and situate the city on a map of England before starting their tour. The playful pups take on the town via Tube and bus, visiting major sights like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace while teaching kids British cultural differences like \u201ccrumpets\u201d and \u201cchips\u201d as they enjoy afternoon tea and dinner. On the final page, a short explainer translates British-isms like \u201cboot\u201d and \u201clift.\u201d Parents planning a holiday may wish to manage expectations on how much can realistically be seen in a day. Children attempting to copy Bella and Harry\u2019s day will discover that a visit to Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey in the morning will hardly leave time for a trip to Stonehenge and back for dinner. Still, the guide, originally published in 2011, serves as an excellent introduction for families to read together to whet children\u2019s appetite for an upcoming trip to the British capital. \u2013 Catherine Adams<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Walking
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In \u201cWalking London: 30 Original Walks in and Around London,\u201d author and historian Andrew Duncan tours areas like Westminster, Notting Hill and Chelsea. First published in 1999, this guidebook needs an updateDuncan also recommends walking routes in \u201cSecret London\u201d and \u201cWalking Notorious London.\u201d Each section opens by outlining basics like where the walk starts and finishes, how many miles it is and how long it takes to complete. Then, Duncan gives directions and fun facts about each place. This combination gets repetitive quickly. Still, he tucks in some engaging tidbits, like a mention of how the Rolling Stones played their first gig at the Crawdaddy Club. It\u2019s surprising Duncan hasn’t released an audiobook version, since his prose mimics a human tour guide. This book, along with the author\u2019s \u201cSecret London\u201d and \u201cWalking Notorious London,\u201d should help first-time visitors because of its overview of the city, and it’s a breezy read at 248 pages. \u2013\u00a0Valenti Govantes<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The best underground scenes are usually reserved for a region\u2019s locals. \u201cThe 500 Hidden Secrets of London,\u201d Tom Greig\u2019s insider guide, unveils the city\u2019s best sites and supplies the classic tourist with a practical pre-trip reading option. Each chapter dives into a sweeping list of the best restaurants, architecture, shops, museums, gardens, galleries, hotels, activities and nightlife. Readers need no additional research when picking their next adventure in the U.K.\u2019s most populated city (home to nearly 9 million), as each listing is paired with the spot\u2019s full address and contact information. The title\u2019s \u201chidden secrets\u201d agenda is slightly misleading, since this guide compiles mostly well-known spots in London \u2014 such as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, the city\u2019s oldest pub, and the Institute for Contemporary Arts, the popularized digital art and cinema space. Still, each section contains some veiled gems, including boutique antique markets, weekend getaways and a \u201chidden gardens\u201d section. Greig designed an informed and extensive read, namely through color-coded maps in early pages, each labeled by chapter for easy searching. Along with tourist necessities, like low-cost activities and affordable hotels, Greig includes a useful section on restaurants that cater to a wide variety of tastes, from vegetarian options to international cuisine.\u00a0Although the guide may fall short on a strict array of under-the-radar spots, it excels in enabling visitors to discover the city’s finest through the perspective of a true local. \u2013 Carla McCanna<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

British fiction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Innocent
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In \u201cInnocent Traitor,\u201d Alison Weir\u2019s 2006 debut novel, the prolific British author shares the little-known story of Lady Jane Grey (aka the \u201cNine Days\u2019 Queen\u201d because of her short reign).\u00a0Told through the perspectives of Lady Jane, Frances Brandon (her mother) and Queen Catherine Parr (Henry VIII’s last wife), among others, the page turner\u00a0begins with the 1537 birth of Henry VIII\u2019s grandniece. Born after the beheading of Anne Boleyn, Grey was always much more inclined to read than to lead. But she inherited the throne against her will in 1553 following the death of her cousin, King Edward VIII. Grey was next in line, nominated by the king for the crown over her sisters, because of her Protestant faith and her sisters\u2019 Catholic faith. History buffs will feel like witnesses to a real-life soap opera in this captivating and thrilling novel. Weir wisely highlights Grey\u2019s resilience and intelligence in this compelling tale about the struggles imposed on a talented, tormented teen.\u00a0\u2013 Tara Mobasher<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2004 Man Booker Prize winner \u201cThe Line of Beauty\u201d by veteran British author Alan Hollinghurst captures London in the 1980s through the third-person perspective of Nick Guest, a gay, middle-class plus-one to the wealthy Fedden family. Guest\u2019s time at Oxford with Toby Fedden, a friend and long-suppressed crush, grants him access to the charismatic member of parliament Gerald Fedden and the glamorous, yet shallow world of the Tory party. Divided into three sections that span four years, the novel juxtaposes the lower class with affluence, gay with straight and dysfunction with composure through Guest\u2019s precarious attempts to keep his two worlds separate: one in which his identity is tolerated, so long as it is never mentioned, and one in which he dives into clandestine sexual relationships, indulges in cocaine and navigates the developing AIDS epidemic. Brimming with practiced niceties and superficiality, Hollinghurst\u2019s most famous work begs the question, can Guest\u2019s two diametrically opposed lives coexist? For those interested in British politics, high society and gay culture, this 448-page novel is an easy read, and its unraveling secrets keep the pages turning. \u2013 Julia Gordon<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Absolute
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In \u201cAbsolute Beginners,\u201d the late British novelist and journalist Colin MacInnes captures teenage spirit with fearlessness and vulnerability. He follows 18-year-old photographer Blitz Baby \u2014 a nickname given to him by his mother after he was born in a bunker during a Blitz bombing \u2014 as he navigates love, friendship, betrayal and violence during the summer of 1958 in West London. This coming-of-age tale, published in 1959, is told over four days in June, July, August and in September, when the protagonist turns 19. From conversations about the meaning of life among English youth in dimly lit jazz bars to Blitz Baby helplessly watching the Notting Hill race riots play out, this story immerses readers in the beginning years of London\u2019s mod culture of modern jazz, sleek fashion and rebellion. As an openly gay man at a time when homosexuality was illegal, MacInnes finds himself fascinated with other marginalized subcultures such as Black immigrants and teenage revolutionists. He grapples with the feeling of being both an outsider and insider. Through Blitz Baby, he holds up a mirror to his life \u2014 and our own. \u2013 Channa Steinmetz<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Ghosts
Courtesy of Amazon<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In her debut novel, \u201cGhosts,\u201d The Sunday Times advice\u00a0columnist Dolly Alderton, author of the bestselling memoir \u201cEverything I Know About Love,\u201d skillfully weaves a relatable tale around\u00a0the pressures of being a single woman in her 30s. Protagonist Nina Dean, a teacher-turned-cookbook author, chases her dream of falling in love and settling down by downloading a dating app and getting into a serious relationship with a tall, charming guy named Max, who she thinks might be the one. Through Dean, Alderton argues that online romance creates a false sense of control over fate and turns love into a never-ending game. She skillfully uses interactions with Dean’s single best friend, an annoying neighbor and her engaged ex to unveil the imperfections of getting married and starting a family. \u201cGhosts\u201d encourages women to evaluate their platonic and romantic relationships and to accept and appreciate the life they are already\u00a0living.\u00a0\u2013 Abigail Ali<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The
Courtesy of Goodreads<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Novelist Louise Fein explores love, female empowerment and justice in \u201cThe London Bookshop Affair.\u201d The historical fiction specialist plunges the reader into 1960s London, where pickle sandwiches and tea are paired with anxiety over the Cuban missile crisis. The main character, Celia Duchesne, lives an unremarkable life \u2014 residing with her parents, working at the local bookshop \u2014 but dreams of a career at the BBC. Suddenly, when she locks eyes with an American man, Celia needs to figure out how to handle a budding romance and secrets behind World War II. Imagine \u201cSex and the City,\u201d but in 1960s London. Instead of drinking cosmopolitans in Manhattan, girls discuss nuclear disarmament at the local pub. They\u2019re infatuated with U.S. intelligence workers instead of Wall Street traders. Regardless of the differences, the level of gossip \u2014 even on the brink of war \u2014 is the same. Both London enthusiasts and history buffs who crave something more engaging than a textbook will delight in the references to real Cold War events and in the brief appearances of famous settings like Portobello Road and Fleet Street. Overall, this enthralling tale is better than a Lifetime movie. \u2013 Megan Forrester<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These reviews are written by graduate students at Medill. Follow @MedillChicago<\/a> on X and @medillreports<\/a> on Instagram to see more student work.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Medill Explores: Arts and Culture in London students Medill Reports Why not grab a cup of tea and curl up with an England- or royals-themed novel, guide or expos\u00e9? Medill master\u2019s students turned hundreds of pages to immerse themselves in U.K. culture before heading across the pond. \u00a0 Royal reads \u00a0 \u201cThe Diana Chronicles,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":938,"featured_media":103745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194,5405,5399,5398],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-103742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture","category-london-2024","category-medill-explores-2024","category-winter-2024"],"yoast_head":"\nTo read or not to read: British books to binge before your London holiday - Medill Reports Chicago<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"To read or not to read: British books to binge before your London holiday - Medill Reports Chicago\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Medill Explores: Arts and Culture in London students Medill Reports Why not grab a cup of tea and curl up with an England- or royals-themed novel, guide or expos\u00e9? Medill master\u2019s students turned hundreds of pages to immerse themselves in U.K. culture before heading across the pond. \u00a0 Royal reads \u00a0 \u201cThe Diana Chronicles,\u201d […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Medill Reports Chicago\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-02-21T19:25:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/wp-media-folder-medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/London-Explores-Books-1MB.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"samanthathomas2022\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"samanthathomas2022\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/\",\"name\":\"To read or not to read: British books to binge before your London holiday - Medill Reports Chicago\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/wp-media-folder-medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/London-Explores-Books-1MB.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-02-21T19:25:46+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/#\/schema\/person\/2e1ff1a35e4b656fc27f05f4f7d516c6\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/to-read-or-not-to-read-british-books-to-binge-before-your-london-holiday\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/wp-media-folder-medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/London-Explores-Books-1MB.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/wp-media-folder-medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/London-Explores-Books-1MB.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1920,\"caption\":\"Medill graduate students read books about British culture to prepare for their trip across the pond. 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