Londoners are voracious readers, according to a new survey of the capital - and with good reason. Not only is the capital the world’s most written-about city, with 286 million mentions, compared to 95 million for second-placed Paris, it’s also home to a mind-boggling list of literary heavyweights from Shakespeare (whose Globe theatre stood near the Thames) to Sherlock Holmes, whose mysteries usually started in 221b Baker Street to Virginia Woolf, whose Bloomsbury Set convened just yards from Sicilian Avenue.
Sicilian Avenue research found that around one in six (16%) of Londoners read as a hobby - but the numbers vary widely by location and profession. The reading habit is most ingrained among central Londoners (22%) but people who live in Hackney (27%) and Croydon (25%) also love leafing through a volume to unwind and escape, although people in Barnet are least likely to lift up a book at 12%.
Generation Z are the biggest readers in London
People in London’s thriving professional services and creative industries are most likely to enjoy reading, with 27% readers in journalism, 25% in creative film and TV and 23% in professional services. But perhaps the biggest surprise is that the much-maligned Generation Z are bigger readers than Boomers - with 22% of youngsters reading, compared to 4% of those aged 62 and 80.
So, for the avid reading Londoner, we’ve pulled together 10 of the most iconic London-based books to read.
1. Zadie Smith White Teeth
This north London-set family drama centred on Britain’s relationship with post-colonial immigrants catapulted Zadie Smith to the forefront of London’s literary world.
2. Rivers of London Ben Aaronovitch
Aaronovitch’s fantasy mystery series centres on a young police officer recruited into a division of the Met which deals with the supernatural.
3. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell Susanna Clarke
Clarke’s tale of two Londo-based magicians during the Napoleonic wars is a powerful and heady brew.
4. The Picture of Dorian Grey - Oscar Wilde
London looms large in Wilde’s classic gothic horror tale of a man with a painting in his attic.
5. Peter Ackroyd London the Biography
Ackroyd's 'biography' of the city extends right back to the Jurassic period, taking in everything from druids to the Blitz.
6. Hangover Square Peter Hamilton
Subtitled 'A tale of darkest Earl's Court', this bleakly humorous tale is set amongst the pubs of London in the run-up to World War 2.
7. Mother London Michael Moorcock
Moorcock is best known for his fantasy works such as the Elric of Melnibone series, but this 'literary' novel makes London a central character and is a dazzling, bewildering ride.
8. Buddha of Suburbia Hanif Kureishi
Hanif Kureishi's debut mingled sex, music and suburban life to intoxicating effect.
9. Oliver Twist Charles Dickens
Fed up of gruel, young Oliver runs away to London - only to fall into the clutches of the Artful Dodger and Fagin.
10. London Fields Martin Amis
Amis's 1989 novel by no means paints a flattering picture of London life, but it's a mesmerising and beguiling brew.