To celebrate National Book Lovers Day, we look back at some of the famous authors who have graced the pages of Overseas over the past century. From the horrors of the First World War, to the monarchs' penchant for horse racing, many famous names have penned articles for the journal.
In August 1918, Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling supplied a poem to Overseas called 'A Song for the English' and was joined in the same issue by Winnie the Pooh creator AA Milne, whose article 'Blighty' spoke of soldiers' dreams of home in the dying months of the First World War.
Fast forward to the 1950s and romance novellist Barbara Cartland, author of more than 700 novels, was also a prolific contributor to Overseas. The article 'The Sport of Queens' from a 1954 issue looked at the sport of horse racing all the way back to Elizabeth I.
In the 1980s, it was Michael Murpurgo, former Children's Laureate and author of War Horse, that took to the pages of Overseas to discuss the benefits of giving urban children an experience of rural life in 'The Nethercott experience'.
These few famous names are just a tiny snapshot of some of the world's most celebrated authors who have been a part of ROSL over the years. This strong literary tradition continues with members such as Margaret Atwood and Hilary Mantel. Many staff are also avid readers, here's a look at who is currently reading what:
- Diana Owen, Director-General: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- Jessica Harris-Edwards, Event Coordinator: Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
- Mark Brierley, Editor: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
- Alexis Corzberg, CFO: I Am, I Am, I Am, Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O'Farrell
- Pavlina Callery, Reception Manager: Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care by Dr Benjamin Spock
- Nicole Izurieta, Membership Executive: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Inga Bennett, Accounts Executive: The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
- Lenny Sabrin, Reservations: The Canal Boat Cafe by Cressida McLaughlin
- Teresa Palo, Reservations: La Casa Degli Spiriti by Isabel Allende
What are you reading?
