MysteryRose Posted November 26, 2011 Posted November 26, 2011 Hi! I love London, and I love reading books set in London. So if you know novels (Chick Lit, Contempory, Romance) set in London, please let me know! Thanks! Quote
Kell Posted November 26, 2011 Posted November 26, 2011 The Tea Rose by Jennifer Connolly is an historical romance / saga set in the East end of London and is very good. The fact that I do not read romances as I pretty much hate them, yet enjoyed this one, should indicate just how good it is! Quote
MysteryRose Posted November 26, 2011 Author Posted November 26, 2011 The Tea Rose by Jennifer Connolly is an historical romance / saga set in the East end of London and is very good. The fact that I do not read romances as I pretty much hate them, yet enjoyed this one, should indicate just how good it is! There are 3 volumes, right? I've read the first 2 ones, but in French, so I don't know which one is which in English. I've loved them and I believe the third one's just been released. So I definitely will read the third one! Thanks for reminding me! Quote
chesilbeach Posted November 26, 2011 Posted November 26, 2011 I really enjoyed A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff. Quote
MysteryRose Posted November 26, 2011 Author Posted November 26, 2011 I really enjoyed A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff. Yes, me too! I enjoyed all the books by Isabel Wolff actually. I think I've read them all, or almost Quote
MysteryRose Posted November 26, 2011 Author Posted November 26, 2011 (edited) There are 3 volumes, right? I've read the first 2 ones, but in French, so I don't know which one is which in English. I've loved them and I believe the third one's just been released. So I definitely will read the third one! Thanks for reminding me! I've checked. The first one is called "The Tea Rose", the second one is "The Winter Rose" and the last one is "The Wild Rose" but is not yet been released. Edit: the paperback of the latter has not yet been released, but the hardcover (but American version) was released last August! Edited November 27, 2011 by MysteryRose Quote
SueK Posted November 26, 2011 Posted November 26, 2011 I really enjoyed A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff. I really enjoyed that book too. Her descriptions of vintage fashion was just great. I've just been writing on another thread here called "London Belongs to Me" by Norman Collins. This book was written in 1945 and it is centred solely around London Life. In the same era is Angel Pavement by J P Priestley which is centred around an office in 40s London. If you are a doorstep challenge, then there is "London" by Edward Rutherfurd which is historical fiction of London from Bronze Age (I think) to present day. Quote
MysteryRose Posted November 27, 2011 Author Posted November 27, 2011 I really enjoyed that book too. Her descriptions of vintage fashion was just great. I've just been writing on another thread here called "London Belongs to Me" by Norman Collins. This book was written in 1945 and it is centred solely around London Life. In the same era is Angel Pavement by J P Priestley which is centred around an office in 40s London. If you are a doorstep challenge, then there is "London" by Edward Rutherfurd which is historical fiction of London from Bronze Age (I think) to present day. Thank you. I'll check them out. I must say that at the moment I don't really read historical fiction, but I usually enjoy them. So if I like the synopsis, I will definitely add them to my wish list. Thanks again! Quote
paun Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 I do not read so many books in London but I really love stories about Fatner Brown and sometimes he is in London and sometimes other cities in England. Quote
willoyd Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) Hi! I love London, and I love reading books set in London. So if you know novels (Chick Lit, Contempory, Romance) set in London, please let me know! Thanks! Don't know about chick lit or romance, but the following are all set in London, have something to say about London and are post-war to modern; I've read them all in the past year or two, and enjoyed them (especially those asterisked) Martin Amis: London Fields, Money Monica Ali: Brick Lane Jane Stevenson: London Bridges Michael Moorcock: Mother London* Ben Aaronavitch: Rivers of London*, Moon Over Soho* Peter Ackroyd The Great Fire of London, The House of Doctor Dee*, Hawksmoor*, all set in contemporary London, but all of which include an historical element which you may not be looking for. Neil Gaiman: Neverwhere Blake Morrison: South of the River William Boyd: Ordinary Thunderstorms Ian Sinclair is generally regarded as one of the quintessential London writers. I've never really got on with his writing, but you may enjoy it. There are a lot more books I'd recommend with a stronger historical element, but I gather that's not what you want. Edited November 28, 2011 by willoyd Quote
MysteryRose Posted November 28, 2011 Author Posted November 28, 2011 Thank you, Willoyd! It's quite a list!!! I'll check them all out! Thanks! And you're right, at the moment I'm not really reading historical novels. Quote
Kidsmum Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 The NightWatch by Sarah Waters is set in London during wartime & is a good read. Quote
willoyd Posted December 13, 2011 Posted December 13, 2011 (edited) Thank you, Willoyd! It's quite a list!!! I'll check them all out! Thanks! And you're right, at the moment I'm not really reading historical novels. It would be interesting to find out how you get on with any of the suggestions here. I should have also said, that I can totally concur with SueK's suggestion of Norman Collins's book London Belongs To Me - one of my favourite London reads of recent years. I should have also remembered that there is a really good website called Fictional Cities, which focuses on books based on Venice, Florence and London (London may be my home city, but I've an almost equal fascination with Venice). Lots of interesting browsing. Edited December 13, 2011 by willoyd Quote
MysteryRose Posted December 15, 2011 Author Posted December 15, 2011 Thanks for the suggestion. I had never heard of that website! Quote
Penguin Posted December 23, 2011 Posted December 23, 2011 If you do want to read an historical book about London try reading 'The House by the Thames: and the people that live there' by Gillian Tindall. Quote
Roland Butter Posted December 24, 2011 Posted December 24, 2011 Yes, Gillian Tindall's book is a fascinating "journey through history" type of book. And the house is still there to be seen, as well. Quote
Kell Posted December 24, 2011 Posted December 24, 2011 I've just finished reading The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson. Very good - set in modern-day London with ghosts and a Jack the Ripper slant. I found it almost imposible to put down! Quote
MysteryRose Posted December 27, 2011 Author Posted December 27, 2011 It is not a novel at all, but I'm very tempted to buy it. Does anyone know it maybe? "The London Encyclopaedia" Quote
Roland Butter Posted December 28, 2011 Posted December 28, 2011 If you mean the book edited by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert, then yes, I've had a copy of that for about as long as I can remember. It's well worth the investment if you have any interest in London at all. It's exactly what it sounds like, a straight up-and-down encyclopaedia, and whether you use it to look up something particular or just dip in and out of it, it's a fascinating book. Go for it! Quote
MysteryRose Posted December 28, 2011 Author Posted December 28, 2011 Yes, that is the one I was talking about. Thanks! I saw the price was 30 pounds (amazon), now it is 18 something. So I will order it right away! Quote
willoyd Posted December 28, 2011 Posted December 28, 2011 London Encyclopaedia - one of the best books I've got on London. You won't be disappointed (but, possibly, addicted!). Brilliant for dipping in and out of. Quote
MysteryRose Posted December 29, 2011 Author Posted December 29, 2011 (edited) London Encyclopaedia - one of the best books I've got on London. You won't be disappointed (but, possibly, addicted!). Brilliant for dipping in and out of. I can not wait!! I HOPE to get it by Saturday, but I fear it will be next Monday Edited December 29, 2011 by MysteryRose Quote
MysteryRose Posted December 31, 2011 Author Posted December 31, 2011 Hurray! I got my order (with the London Encyclopaedia!!!) today!!! :D Quote
Roland Butter Posted December 31, 2011 Posted December 31, 2011 Good! I'm sure you'll enjoy it immensely. Happy reading! Quote
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