8 books to inspire your student life in London

Deadline season is upon us and as we already know, life can become busy, stressful and hard to keep up with. If you are feeling drained or stuck, rest assured, you are not alone. During these cold winter nights, reading can offer a much-needed escape, helping you unwind after a hectic day. As a student living in London, with a penchant for BookTok and romanticised reels of the city; I’ve decided to compile my top 8 reads to help you find inspiration and comfort during this hectic season.

8 Books for students in London

From coming-of-age style reads to exploring London’s alternative scene, these are the 8 books for students living in London to check out.

1. White Teeth by Zadie Smith 

White Teeth is a seminal exploration of multicultural London, making it an essential read for university students navigating a diverse urban landscape such as London. Zadie Smith dives into the important themes of identity, family, and cultural integration which make London what it is today. For students from a range of different backgrounds, the novel resonates with the complexities of friendship and the challenges of balancing personal histories with contemporary life. Locations like West London, Harlesden High Street, and Kilburn High Road are familiar to many students, providing a relatable backdrop to the characters’ lives and struggles as they navigate their multicultural realities. Locations featured: West London, Harlesden High Street, Kilburn High Road, Hampstead School 

2. Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

A 2021 release from Caleb Azumah Nelson, this piece is simply stunning. It follows the lives of two young Black artists who meet in a London pub. Azumah Nelsons’s lyrical prose mirrors the vibrant, alternative scene of South-East London. Open Water is an exploration of love, vulnerability and connection – an essential read for anyone drawn to the intersections of art and emotion.  Locations featured: South East London, Peckham, Deptford, South Bank 

3. Saturday by Ian McEwan 

From the author of the critically acclaimed Atonement, Saturday offers a gripping portrayal of a single day in the life of a London neurosurgeon. This intense, character-driven story unfolds on February 15th 2003, an important day in history as Londoners prepared for a massive anti-war protest against the impending invasion of Iraq. For those interested in studying medicine, Saturday offers valuable insights into the ethical dilemmas faced by health professionals; such as the weight of responsibility and the profound impact of personal choices.  Locations featured: Fitzrovia, University College Hospital (Shout out UCL), Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street, Bloomsbury, Harley Street, Regent’s Park, Baker Street, Wimpole Street. 

4. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding 

Bridget Jones’ diary is a quintessential urban satire that captures the trials and tribulations of a life that is all too familiar to us: that of failed romance and professional crisis. This work will ring true for university students who, like Bridget Jones, are navigating new relationships along with their own career aspirations. Often humorous and greatly poignant, this novel makes for an enjoyable seasonal read. Locations featured: Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Chancery Lane, Leicester Square and Soho, Fulham, Primrose Hill

5. Everything I know about love by Dolly Alderton

A personal favourite of mine, this book presents a heartfelt exploration of what it truly is to love, and be loved. Alderton weaves together beautifully relatable stories of romance, friendship and self-discovery. With a tone of wit, warmth and vulnerability she reflects on the enduring power of female friendship against an urban backdrop. Locations featured: Camden, Kilburn, Shoreditch, Highbury, Clapham, Balham

6. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo 

Girl, Woman, Other is also another favourite of mine. Winner of the Booker Prize, it follows the lives of 12 very different characters living in London. A celebration of being Black and British, Evaristo explores issues of gender, race and sexuality representing the interconnectedness of various identities and experiences within urban life.  Locations featured:  South London, Brixton, Hackney, Clapham, Peckham

7. NW by Zadie Smith 

A current read, this is a slightly older work by Zadie Smith but is certainly not outdated. Smith’s focus on contemporary London conveys the complexities of contemporary urban life and the influence of the urban environment on personal growth.  The novel’s exploration of class, race, and the impact of environment on individual choices makes it a thought-provoking read for those navigating their own paths in a diverse city. Locations featured: Kilburn, Brent, North West London, Harlesden, Ladbroke Grove, Queens Park

8. The Secret History, Donna Tartt 

Although not strictly set in London, this novel is the first of a series of novels released by Donna Tartt and is an engaging piece of contemporary literature. This campus-orientated novel tells the story of a closely-knit group of classics students and explores the complex relationships between friends in a university setting. That being said, whilst books are enjoyable to read, we can appreciate how expensive they sometimes are. Here are some further suggestions of websites and places where you can locate these books for students in London at a low cost and sustainably:

1. World of Books 
2. Abe Books
3. Amazon – the ‘used’ option is a great way to save money
4. University libraries – online or in-person
5. Local libraries
6. Charity Shops – have a root around the bookcase of your local charity shop
7. Independent bookstores – check out some of our top independent places in Notting Hill to get you started.