The Doris Lessing Reader (1988) makes an excellent introduction to Lessing's varied body of work. It includes short stories, novel excerpts, and nonfiction essays that highlight Lessing's long career.

The Golden Notebook (1962), Lessing's best known work, is widely considered a masterpiece. An inventive narrative based on the diary form, the novel frankly reveals a modern woman's political and interpersonal struggles.

Victoria Line, Central Station (1978), by Maeve Binchy, is a collection of twenty-five short stories exploring the variety and vitality of life in London. Each story is related to one of London's "Tube" subway stops.

The Magic Toyshop (1967), a gothic novel by Angela Carter, narrates an adolescent girl's experiences when she is sent to London to live with relatives after her parents' death. It gives the themes of sexuality and family dynamics a dark and fantastical twist.

Due East (1987), by Valerie Sayers...