#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook and you can learn more about it here. It occurs every Monday when we post about 5 books on our TBR.
This was a little bit more difficult than previous weeks, but I found a few – to be honest out of any ‘big city’, my TBR definitely leans more towards London, so you’ll see that crop up a few times here!
#5OnMyTBR June 19th: Set in a Big City
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Audio – BBC Dramatization
City: London
This is a kind of reread for me – I’ve read the book, loved the book, so when this popped up on Audible I had to grab it. I love these kind of adaptations, too, and it’s great there are so many ways to experience some books now. Yet I keep getting drawn back to Gaiman’s work in these adaptions. Neverwhere, if you haven’t read it, is set in a kind of ‘other London’, below the streets of the city, and throughout Gauman really gives London an extra fantastical air.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Hardback
City: New York
Jumping across the ocean now, I think this is one I pre-ordered? I know as soon as I heard about it I had a feeling I’d love it, and felt very ready to dive in, but like with most things other books took priority and this got pushed further and further down! Every time I read the blurb though it reminds me how much I really, really need to read this.
Genre: Historical Romance – Regency
Format: Paperback
City: London
I picked this up purely because of Bridgerton, which kind of kickstarted a whole love of Regency Romance for me. I think I keep putting this off because I don’t want to be disappointed? I’ll definitely get to it eventually though. And yes, we’re back in London, which is the backdrop for many Regency Romances. Which is great for me, because honestly, I really do love London – it’s an endlessly fascinating city.
Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback
City: London
More London, this time with the third instalment of Rivers of London, which honestly, I love for the same reasons I love Neverwhere. It really delves into London and uses the city’s existing infrastructure and layout to create something fantastical. The Underground, too, is a key part of Neverwhere, and I’m keen to see what Aaronovitch does with it here.
Unladylike Lessons in Love by Amita Murray
Genre: Historical Romance – Regency
Format: ebook
City: London
And lastly, yep, London again, but this time with a different kind of Regency Romance. Lila is the eldest daughter of an English ear and his Indian mistress, and she navigates London society, entertaining the ton via her gaming club by night, while they shun her by day. This book sounds different, with a mystery unfolding alongside the romance, and it’s one I really hope lives up to my expectations.
So there we have it – 4 books set in different versions of London, and one in New York. London does kind of dominate in my reading for stuff set in ‘real’ places, but I do enjoy reading stuff set in pretty much any big city, especially when it comes to Urban Fantasy. I need to look for more set outside London, I think! As always, if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them.
Unwrapping Words 
I liked this version of Neverwhere!
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That’s good to know – I’m really looking forward to it!
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