Rumor has it that tomorrow’s opening ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic Games will feature a 40-foot-tall Lord Voldemort battling 30 flying Mary Poppinses. This may go down as the most awesomely literary opening ceremony ever.
Inspired by this rumor, we have compiled a list of books by British authors, some London 2012 themed reading selections for your enjoyment.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: Who hasn’t read this new classic? If you are one of the few who have yet to finish this seven book series, get going!
Mary Poppins by Dr. P.L. Travers: Yes, it’s a movie, but it’s also a book! Those of you who love the childhood classic starring Julie Andrews should definitely give the novel a shot.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll: There isn’t a movie version in existence that does the original two Alice tales justice. These childhood classics can be enjoyed by readers of any age — highly recommended by our teachers and staff!
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: Another childhood classic. If you’ve seen the films, you should still read the books — the films don’t do them justice. Follow the Pevensie children through the wardrobe and into Narnia for the adventure of a lifetime!
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: A perennial favorite, this hilarious novel beats the pants off of the recent movie version hands down. Discover the importance of the number 42 for yourself in this sci/fi spoof!
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: Of course everyone’s seen the movie trilogy, but if you haven’t read the books then your fantasy literature knowledge is sadly lacking.
Animal Farm by George Orwell: This novella critiques Stalinism through the tale of a collection of farm animals who overthrow the humans. A must read for any potential English major!
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl: Take a trip down memory lane with James and his buggy friends. Revisiting Dahl’s works as an adult is an incredibly enjoyable experience!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Is Mr. Darcy too proud or too prejudiced? The world may never know. Pride and Prejudice (NOT Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) is a book that anyone who enjoys classic literature must read AT LEAST once. Your humble author reads it once a year!
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: All Twilight fans should give this classic a read. It may not have vampires, but this renowned Gothic love story has everything else — a phantom in the attic, a brooding hero, and a gripping romance.
Peter Pan by J.M. Berry: Incredibly enjoyable, even for adults, this children’s classic is nothing like the Disney movie version from childhood. If you’ve never read it, we highly recommend it!
What are some of your favorite British novels or authors? If you were on the Olympic planning committee, what characters might you include in the opening ceremonies? Comment below — we’d love to hear from you!
