==9:33pm==
We have a list a mile long of things to see in London so we’re trying to batch things together so we don’t have to backtrack. Today we went southeast to what I think was the Belgravia neighborhood. Lovely bright unLondony weather again!
First the Victoria & Albert Museum:
I didn’t see the ‘no photos’ sign at first. (I had been going by the fact that I could hear beeping cameras but no complaining docents).
Also, I didn’t look too hard.
 |
| I’m not sure what this room was; I only saw it from above. |
 |
| Pegasus! |
 |
| A missal, dated 1200-1220. |
Then we did the necessary pilgrimage to Harrods, where we ate a laughably expensive lunch in the Tea Room and then browsed around looking at blouses that cost what your typical Chinese peasant makes in a year.
Or two.
We could, however, afford the chocolates. Easter had exploded in the stunning, packed chocolate hall, and there were chocolate bunnies and eggs of all variety. I think we made our selections based on the packaging more than anything.
We hopped back on the Picadilly Line to Fortnum & Mason, which sells tea and also just about everything else. Apparently the Queen is a fan; they have dates on their website listing when they will close early due to “royal visits.” After Harrods, their prices looked remarkably reasonable.
One last stop – to Waterstone’s flagship store! I had three goals: Gervase Phinn; Jacqueline Wilson; and then something that was a staff pick (to slightly increase the odds of quality) but was completely unknown to me.
Rivers of London fit that description. I had seen the author’s name but knew nothing about his works; and there were stacks on every single display table and shelf. ‘Bestsellers’ – check. ‘Local favorites’ – check. ‘British authors’ – check. ‘London settings’ – check. ‘Top fantasy’ – check.
If you want to get rid of a book you don’t like you make one display out in the middle to make people take them quicker; if you really love it you sprinkle it everywhere.
The plot synopsis and the first few pages met my approval. Plus the cover is awesome. So it was mine.
 |
| Grabbed the Conn Iggulden novella on a whim. A story about a menswear salesman who accidentally becomes an assassin? Title parodying James Bond? For £1.99? All right. |
Then when I got back to the flat I looked up Rivers of London on Amazon and discovered that I had in fact seen it (and sold it) several times in the American edition, with a different (uglier) cover and different (boringer) title. Sigh. Can’t win.
And now I think I shall go read.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it!