The Paperblog Brief Guide to Food and Book Lovin' London

 The Paperblog Brief Guide to Food and Book Lovin' London

(TPBGTFABLL, for shortsies)

The sky is the limit in London; anyone can find anything to do they are interested in doing.  If you are bored, that is your own problem.  Those are just a few tips for things I enjoyed!  And here is a threat: if you do not have a cream tea while in London (so many options that you can figure this out, but the Library Bar does one if you're feeling like doing some damage to your bank account), I will disown you. Other tips: get an Oyster card.  The Tube is a little confusing if you're not used to public transit, but fabulous.  And final pro tip: turn your card in when you are done!  You'll get the money stored on it back!

The British Library

1.  The British Library (Tube stop: King's Cross/St. Pancreas)


The British Library is just great, you guys.  Not only is it right next to King's Cross station, if you want to go and creep on the Hogwarts stop (good luck, Muggles), not only is it totally free to the public (except for special exhibits) but it is home to more antique books worth a billion dollars than individual pixels in this post worth nothing.  I saw Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth's handwriting!  I saw the Magna Carta (spoiler alert: there are tens of Magna Cartas; apparently they are as inexpensive as a ladie in ye olde Cheapside - heyoooo), some important codices from like...toga times, AND original Beatles song lyrics.  I also enjoyed a delicious ginger cookie and tea - IN the library.  

I love this bookcase.

There is a very nice cafe (actually, at least two), and bathrooms made weird by the rolls of cloth towels where paper towels would go.   When I visited, there was a special display of the history of the mystery genre (it rhymes) from A-Z.  There are pull out display cases filled with some very rare stamp collections.  They are alarmed, so don't get any ideas! The best part?   There is a giant, gorgeous, back lit central tank of books.  Technically, it is actually a giant multistory bookshelf that houses King George (some Roman numeral goes there)'s book collection.  It is amazing.  I want to stare at it for days.

The only downside?  

There are many treasures housed here - it's very much a researchers library.  Check the website if there is something you want to see.  While the mini-museum has some great stuff, you should not go expecting to see everything.  There's a process to see many of the rare items.  The other problem?  Why does your gift shop have next to nothing with images from the gorgeous book tank?  What a huge revenue loss!  I totally was hoping to get some notecards or postcards or something!

The Library Bar at the Lanesborough Hotel

2.  The Library Bar at the Lanesborough London (Tube stop: Hyde Park Corner)

You know what is delightful?  Many leather-bound books in a library themed bar that smells of rich mahogany.  I'm pretty sure it's where good librarians go when we die.  Guys, this place is POSH.  The waiters are super French, there are doormen, a live jazz pianist, the drinks start at an economical 15 pounds (HA - there's even a James Bond which prices in at like 34 pounds to get you some of that moonshine), and I'm pretty sure there was a Russian oligarch across the room.  Awesomely, the drink menu comes in a faux book binder, and the first page is all library themed cocktails.  I had the library sour, and it was delicious.  Your drink will come with a complimentary tower of snacks, so enjoy both the ambiance, and your sesame sticks - you've attained book nerd nirvana. 

Library bar menu!

If you like books and libraries, splurge on this.  Bring your best manners,  Ms. Post.  Don't embarrass your library travel guru now, y'all (I did enough lowbrow embarrassing for us all by whipping out my camera to take pictures)!  Enjoy the scenery, the scurrying of the French waiters, and most importantly, your very expensive cocktail.  

The only downside?  

Just ask your travel budget. 


3.  Harrods (Tube Stop: Knightsbridge)

Guess what?  I'm about to share a big secret and lay some knowledge on all two of my avid readers.  I'm going to assume you've heard of Harrods, the giant department store of very pricey things, formerly owned by the shady guy whose son died with Princess Diana?  Long story short, I think it is now owned by Qatar.  As in the country.  But I could have been drunk on perfume fumes and the leather smells rolling off the expensive purses clogging up my Pinterest boards , so you can disregard that.  But I digress!  Let's return to the moment where I drop my super secret on you.  You ready?  Brace yourself.  This is big.  

Travel plans and races fit for book blogging nerds

Exciting news!
In a matter of days, I will be descending upon London.  It's a quaint little English town, or so I'm told.  Maybe you've heard of it? I've actually been before, but am delighted to be heading back! I have big plans to take advantage of the hospitality of Gav & Mrs. GBR of Gav's Book Reviews, to visit the Library Bar, the British Library, a variety of museums and the Borough Market (where I also have big plans to eat everything in sight), to devour as many cream slathered scones as possible, and most importantly, to run in a race with Mr. & Mrs. GBR dressed as Waldo (of Where's Waldo fame - or change that all to Wally if you're British), to raise money for children's literacy.  That's right.  We're running the Where's Wally Fun Run on March 24th.

If they make us wear jeggings...

If you'd like to sponsor us in our ridiculousness to raise 300 pounds (approximately $450) dressed as Waldo (Wally), we'd be eternally grateful.  The fundraising information is available on our team page, where you can sponsor any of us to donate to the whole team.  For my fellow Yanks, my page is here.  We can promise amusing photos (good luck spotting us), sending good karma your way, and high fives the next time we see you.   We think children's literacy is vitally important, and we are so thankful that your donation shows your agreement and support.  It's for the kids, you guys!

In other news, my goal while in London is to do as many literary or culinary things as I can, aside from what I've listed above.  If you have any suggestions, post them in the comments or send them my way (especially if you have any thoughts on the Charles Dickens museum - or anything relating to closed underground Tube stations, pubs with insane names, cheese, things not to miss, or the best fish and chips in London).