The London Library magazine is a fascinating compendium of information about the Library and our members. Each issue includes articles about the Library, our history, collection, and archives. We also interview some of our most well-known and fascinating members, exploring their work/research and, where applicable, how the Library impacts their working lives or informs their reading habits.
All memberships include a print subscription to the The London Library magazine.
Spring 2025
In our Spring 2025 issue of The London Library Magazine, we are delighted to have on our cover the celebrated author William Boyd, who talks about his latest novel, the first in a trilogy of intricate spy thrillers. We also speak to author and broadcaster Hallie Rubenhold about her new book, where she once again illuminates a historical crime and places the women in the case at the centre. And screenwriter and playwright Vinay Patel tells us how he broke into the business and began experiencing the "hug" of The London Library.
2024 Issues
Autumn 2024
In our Autumn 2024 issue of The London Library Magazine, we are delighted to have on our cover the celebrated author Philippa Gregory, a member of the Library since 1999, who shares her explorations into writing non-fiction and Shakespearean theatre. We also speak to Jacques Testard about founding his independent publishing house Fitzcarraldo Editions, now celebrating its ten-year anniversary. And in our final feature, historian and renowned writer on world religion Karen Armstrong talks about a lifetime of thinking about God, her writing process, and her use of the fifth-floor religion collection. For our From the Archive piece, we celebrate EM Forster’s love for the Library and uncover some of his war time reading requests.
Spring 2024
For our first issue of 2024, we are delighted to share interviews with three long standing members of the library. Our cover feature is acclaimed writer, comedian, and actor, Richard Ayoade. He shares the story behind his children's novel, The Book That Nobody Wanted to Read, inspired in part by the Science & Miscellaneous collection at The London Library. Recent winner of the prestigious Wolfson History Prize, Halik Kochanski, discusses her masterful survey of the Second World War in her book Resistance. Andrew Lycett takes us on a captivating journey into the world of biography, revealing how the Library collection helped fuel his work on polyamorous Victorian novels and legendary spy, Ian Fleming. Elsewhere in this issue, we also unveil the most borrowed books of 2023.
2023 Issues
Autumn 2023
In our Autumn 2023 issue, we are delighted to have playwright, translator, film director and long-time Library member Christopher Hampton for our cover feature. We hear about his experiences of translating classics, writing some of his most recognizable adaptations, including Dangerous Liaisons, and discovering the Library’s German collection. Elsewhere in this issue, author and member Selina Mills talks to us about her new memoir Life Unseen and her love for the Library. Poet Will Harris talks about his experiences of writing poetry alongside working in palliative care and his fondness for the Science & Miscellaneous collection. Library member Kassia St. Clair recounts her quest to discover the Library’s ‘loneliest books.’ And members John O’Farrell, Victoria Hislop, and Royston Vince share their anecdotes of serendipitous discoveries in the stacks.
Spring 2023
Our first issue for 2023 explores the theme of 'stage and screen' and celebrates the Library as a source of inspiration and support for all manner of thespians. For our cover feature, new Library President, Helena Bonham Carter, speaks with friend and fellow long-time Library member, Simon Callow about the ways they have used the Library over the years and how the Library has inspired and contributed to their long and successful careers.
This issue also includes an interview with Library Vice President and director Josie Rourke, an article on the Library's cinema shelfmarks from member Simran Hans, and an extract of work from former Emerging Writer Paolo Chianta.
2022 Issues
Autumn 2022
The London Library Magazine - Autumn 2022 (No.54). With feature interviews with outgoing London Library President Sir Tim Rice and debut author and Booker Prize long-listee Maddie Mortimer. This issue includes a special feature on the Library's Member Services team and a profile on Library member and Belarusian poet, Hanna Komar.
Summer 2022
The London Library Magazine - Summer 2022 issue features interviews with the esteemed author, Lady Antonia Fraser; poet and playwright, Inua Ellams; and art historian and broadcaster Katy Hessel. We also meet member AJ West, who tells us how much faster he can write in the Library.
Spring 2022
Our first issue of the year celebrates the importance of the Library in writing and research. We speak to writer and long-time Library member Travis Elborough and Ex-Green Party leader Natalie Bennett. We celebrate new writing from the alums of the Library’s Emerging Writers Programme and catch up with roving journalist Pádraig Belton, the self-proclaimed collector of the Library's 'hidden desks.'
2021 Issues
Autumn 2021
Interviews with award-winning poet Raymond Antrobus, bestselling author Harriet Evans and London Library archivist Nathalie Belkin
Spring 2021
Our 180th anniversary issue featuring interviews with Library Trustee Yassmin Abdel-Magied, leading writer Lucy Jago and publisher Alexandra Pringle, what well-known members love about the Library, plus a discovery about Charles Darwin
2020 Issues
Autumn 2020
Fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu interviewed by Alexandra Shulman, and we meet novelist Lissa Evans and writers from our Emerging Writers Programme
Summer 2020
Interviews with bestselling novelists Jessie Burton and Victoria Hislop and with leading classical historian Tom Holland
Spring 2020
We meet writers Bill Bryson and Giles Milton and the creators of a new theatre production of The Time Machine staged in the Library
2019 Issues
Issue 46 - Winter 2019
Issue 45 - Autumn 2019
Issue 44 - Summer 2019
Issue 43 - Spring 2019
Back Issues
Find our back issues using the links below.
