In my previous article, you could read about all the bookshops I visited during my October trip to London. The result? Fourteen new books—some big, some small, some thick, some thin—all tucked into my luggage (along with a lengthy wish list for next time). The collection features a diverse mix of graphic design, illustration, architecture, diaries, fiction, and non-fiction. Rather than diving into each title, I’ll focus on a few standouts that feel special to me.

There and Back: Diaries 1999-2009

Author: Michael Palin | Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson | Year: 2024

The main reason for our London visit this time was a man named Michael Palin—the legendary actor, writer, traveler, and Monty Python member who happens to be my absolute favorite celebrity. Though I was too young to catch Monty Python in its heyday, Palin’s travel documentaries were everything to me as a kid obsessed with geography and adventure. Back then, my “traveling” happened through books, TV shows, and the early days of dial-up Internet. I even created my own imaginary travel books, carefully printed out on our HP printer.

Since 1969, Mr. Palin has kept a diary, portions of which have since been published in volumes, each covering about a decade of his life. When his UK tour promoting his latest diary was announced, it felt like the perfect excuse to return to London.

Half a year later, we found ourselves at the packed Cadogan Hall, enjoying an unforgettable evening with Mr. Palin as he shared stories of his life. He was every bit as charming and witty as you’d expect from “Britain’s Nicest Man.” And while there was no meet-and-greet, we took home a signed copy of his latest diaries as proof that the whole experience wasn’t just a dream!

Still Waters & Wild Waves

Author: Angela Harding | Publisher: Sphere | Year: 2024

This was a random find at the Piccadilly Waterstones. I hadn’t heard of Angela Harding before, but the book’s striking design caught my eye, and after a quick glance, Sara and I agreed it was something we had to bring home. A few moments later we stumbled upon a bunch of merchandise based on Angela’s work—water bottles, notebooks, puzzles, calendar, coffee cups… Though there’s nothing romantic in capitalism, it still blows my Croatian mind to see such a wide array of products based on a (contemporary) illustrator’s work. A fact undoubtedly related to a distinctly British appreciation for both art and nature (and the well-deserved popularity of Angela Harding herself).

Modern British Posters

Author: Paul Rennie | Publisher: Black Dog Publishing | Year: 2010

I spotted Modern British Posters in the window of Any Amount of Books and immediately asked to see it, fearing fearing someone doesn't get ahead of me. It was gorgeous and exactly what its cover suggested, exploring the interaction between art and graphic design in the twentieth century Britain. A used book, but in perfect condition and a valuable addition to my poster book collection. The more I explore, the more I’m discovering the richness of British illustration and design from the early to mid-20th century, and this book will certainly expand my awareness of many artists worth knowing. Beyond the engaging content, it has an extensive bibliography, offering countless directions for future discoveries.

Abram Games Graphic Designer

Author: Naomi Games, Catherine Moriarty, June Rose | Publisher: Lund Humphries | Year: 2003

I was already familiar with many British graphic designers, but Abram Games was a new discovery for me—even though I’d unknowingly come across many of his works before. After spotting his name while browsing the just bought Modern British Posters book in our Airbnb, I had a new designer to watch for. This paid off almost immediately: the very next day, I spotted Abram Games on the spine of a book at Marcus Campbell Art Books. Without that recent introduction, I might have missed it entirely among the hundreds of other titles. Games is undoubtedly one of the 20th century’s classic designers whose influence still resonates in contemporary design and advertising. Appointed the “official war poster artist” in 1942, he produced over 100 posters that shaped British wartime messaging. Shortly after the war, he won the competition to design the iconic logo for the Festival of Britain, one of the most celebrated achievements of his six-decade career. This book, published in 2003 and co-authored by Games's daughter alongside two others, accompanied a major exhibition at the Design Museum. While I missed the exhibition (I was too young to be flying to London for exhibitions back then), this book offers a fantastic opportunity to delve into Games’s work and philosophy—including his personal motto: “maximum meaning, minimum means.”

When your new book matches the carpet in your Airbnb…

Eric Ravilious: Landscapes and nature

Author: Ella Ravilious | Publisher: Thames&Hudson (V&A Artists in Focus series) | Year: 2023

Ravilious was another unknown name for me before this trip, but spotting his book cover at Hatchards was enough for me to start paying attention. The book’s format and design felt familiar because it’s part of the V&A/Thames & Hudson series, from which I already own two books from a previous London trip: Edward Bawden’s England and Voysey’s Birds and Animals. Although modest in scope, the book is packed with Ravilious’s watercolour and wood engraving work, accompanied by insightful commentary from the author—none other than his granddaughter, Ella Ravilious! She is also a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum and there’s a great video on Youtube where she talks about Eric's life, work and connections with other artists.Interestingly, his wife and former student, Tirzah Garwood, was an accomplished artist in her own right and had a substantial influence on his work. Her autobiography, Long Live Great Bardfield—now high on my to-read list (I love when one book leads to another)—reflects on her life, art, marriage to Ravilious, and experiences within their vibrant artist community in Essex.

It’s worth noting that Ravilious was mentored by the influential Paul Nash at the Royal College of Art, and his close friend, colleague, and frequent collaborator was Edward Bawden. Tragically, Ravilious’s life was cut short at 39—he was the first British war artist to die on active service during World War II, when the aircraft he was in was lost near Iceland. Still, his artistic legacy endures. While belonging to different generations, it’s hard not to see a connection between Ravilious and Angela Harding, with their shared focus on the British landscape and stylistic approach.

It’s safe to say that there has been a recent resurgence of interest and appreciation for Eric Ravilious and his work. Over the past decade, new exhibitions, documentaries, and publications have brought Ravilious back into the public eye, reigniting interest in his contributions to British art and design.

For more on Ravilious, I highly recommend the 2022 documentary Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War, written and directed by Margy Kinmonth, as well as Andy Friend’s book Ravilious & Co.: The Pattern of Friendship.

The Snail That Climbed The Eiffel Tower and other work by John Minton

Author: Martin Salisbury | Publisher: The Mainstone Press | Year: 2017

I can’t remember exactly where, but my first encounter with John Minton’s work was through his magnificent book jacket illustration for Time Was Away: A Notebook in Corsica. It was only recently, while leafing through Martin Salisbury’s The Illustrated Dust Jacket 1920–1970, that I connected the artwork to the artist himself. Not surprisingly, I discovered that John Minton was a remarkable talent and a significant figure during the 1940s and early 1950s when he was a go-to guy for book jackets, book illustration, posters, magazines and even wallpaper. However, after his death in 1957 at the age of 39 (like Ravilious), his legacy as a designer faded as the art world shifted toward modernism and abstraction. Fortunately, Martin Salisbury dedicated an entire book to Minton, and finding it became my mission in London.

John Minton, oil on canvas, circa 1953, at the National Portrait Gallery.

After a few unsuccessful attempts, I finally came across it at Waterstones Piccadilly. It’s a big, heavy book, but totally worth dragging around the city. The production quality truly does Minton justice, and for those of us who don’t own any books illustrated by Minton, it’s the perfect way to see his masterful work impeccably reproduced in large format.

Once back in Croatia, inspired by my new book, I continued my Minton research and discovered an intriguing crossover: Mark Gatiss, an actor, screenwriter and producer (known to me mostly as Mycroft from Sherlock) loves Minton’s work so much that he made an hour-long documentary about him! Luckily, it’s available on Youtube. Gatiss’s first encounter with Minton was seeing his self-portrait at the National Portrait Gallery as a teenager. By coincidence, I’d been admiring that same painting on our visit to the gallery. Funny how things come together sometimes…

Closing words

So, that’s my 2024 London book haul! I hope something here sparks your curiosity, too. With plenty of new pages to keep me busy, I’ll try not to worry about my ever-growing to-read list. Instead, I’m embracing Umberto Eco’s idea that our unread books are just as valuable—if not more so—than those we’ve read. For Eco, this “anti-library” represents all the knowledge we have yet to acquire, reminding us of the vastness of what we don’t know and inspiring us to keep exploring. With that in mind, I’m excited to place these 14 books on my shelves and dive in whenever the time feels right.

And if there’s anything you’d like to discuss or share, leave a comment below!

My 2024 London Book Haul: The Books