Adventures in the Great Wide Somwhere // Travel by Page to England

It's no surprise that I would try and find a way to combine reading and traveling. A huge motivator in all my travels has always been books. Guaranteed, any trip I take if you ask me why I wanted to go there it's 98% of the time going to start with this sentence, "Well I read this book..." Because I didn't start really traveling until my 20's, I still think that reading is the best and most cost effective form of travel. That feeling of being transported to another time, another place can always be found within the pages of books. That's why I wanted to start doing book recs based on countries. This first edition of this will, of course, be England. Most likely the book will take place in London but a lot of them travel throughout the country especially the historical ones.

So without further ado, here are my book recs for England. Whether you're planning a trip or looking to travel within the confines of your living room, these books will take you there. Note: I had SO many England recs that I divided them up between Setting, Historical, and Swoon. So no matter what you're looking for, I'm hoping you can find something here. Also note: No other country will be this extensive. As I've said a thousand times, London is my soul mate city. I read a lot about it.

If You're Looking for the English Setting...

Harry Potter by JK Rowling // As if an explanation is even necessary

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon // London and Oxford come to life in this future fantasy world. {Review}

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte // Hands down, my favorite classic but it doesn't read stuffy, don't let the length fool you.
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes // A crazy roadtrip from England to Scotland, this is my favorite Jojo book. It just gives you all the good feels. {Review}

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare // The hero home of Wales (not even shown, mind you) is the sole reason I've wanted to see that part of the country for years. The London setting is also great :). {Review}

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen // You can't go wrong with this Austen and the OG broody hero.

Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness // This entire series will give you London and Oxford feels. Planning to re-read before my trip! {Review}

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton // ANY Kate Morton book will give you a beautiful English setting whether it be London, Cornwall, or another beautiful English countryside town. I rec them all!

If You're Looking For English History...

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey // WWII and love lost and maybe found. The WWII setting in London is always a fav of mine. {Review}
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory // My second favorite historical woman--yes, I rank them--is Elizabeth Woodville. I've read this book so many times and it never fails to enchant me...pun intended. {Review}
The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen // Alternative historical fiction exploring if Anne Boleyn's son had lived. Favorite favorite favorite. {Review}
Captive Queen by Elizabeth Weir // Third favorite woman of history is Eleanor of Aquitaine. Never will you find a more badass Queen in history. {Review}
The Lady of the Rivers // This book is everything. Romance, history, and another badass lady. Mother of Elizabeth Woodville, her father Sir Richard Woodville is my ultimate historical crush. If I could travel back in time to meet any man it would be him. I wonder if he knows a 21st century lady has a mad crush on him 600 years later.. {Review}
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell // Anything with my girl AB will make my heart happy and this is a great interpretation of her feelings in a secret diary. {Review}
Innocent Traior by Alison Weir // Lady Jane Grey, history woman number 4, is somebody I didn't expect to love as much as I did while reading this book. Wonderful book about her life.
Tarnish by Katherine Longshore // Quite possibly my favorite AB book as it tells the story of her teenage years before she marries Henry. It's poignant, emotional, and simply beautiful. Start here if you've never read an Anne Boleyn book. {Review}
The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly // Exploring the plight of the poor in early 1900s England, this book is everything historical fiction should be. Beautiful storytelling as well as historical fact and a bit of romance as well. {Review}

If You're Looking For Swoons...

   

   

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn // The first of the Bridgerton family, this book is still my favorite. Daphne and Simon and hilarious and swoony and it's a very heartfelt book.

A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare // A Beauty and the Beast re-telling, this book of the Spindle Cove series is a favorite. Gruff military man and an unassuming small town beauty. {Review}

The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood // Mystery woman and an alpha male if you've ever seen one. This book was hilarious and made me swoon like crazy!

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas // The first of the Hathaways is romantic and hilarious, the Hathaway family will steal your heart. {Review}

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean // Calliope is my spirit animal in historical romance form. The emotions I felt while reading this hit way too close to home. Instant favorite. 

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas // If ever a series stole my heart it's The Wallflowers. I could probably tear up just thinking about these books, they're so beautiful and brilliant. A group of women who are wallflowers vow to help each other get husbands. The friendship among them is inspiring. {Review}

The Perfect Rake by Anne Gracie // A series about a group of sisters, these books are addictive. The heroes and heroines are all so unique and I loved each and every one of them for different reasons, totally binge-worthy. {Review}

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn // This book surprised me with how much I fell in love with it! It's super quick because the dynamic between the hero and heroine is so funny I just couldn't put it down! 

Well then. I hope some, one, or all of these can help transport you to my favorite city in the entire world! 

Do you have any English books that you love that aren't on this list?

I'd love to read them!

And don't forget to check out my favorite travel books in general!