Oodles of British finds, that is most certainly the case this week – books, clothing, decor and garden finds, as well as one French book mystery lovers will want to know about, and quite a few sales of note as we step into the long weekend. Along with that are new shows and movie premieres of note not to miss, and still, so much more!

Books

—The Comfort of Books and Tea: A Gentle Guide to Reading and Teatime by Melissa Lester

Well, when this book popped up recently, I immediately knew when I was going to share it with you, and I know you all will know why. Released in March of this year from the editors of Victoria magazine are “reflections on the pleasure of quiet interludes alone, where soothing tonics are sipped, and the thoughts of an esteemed author may be encountered between the pages of a beloved tome. The joy of taking tea and sharing stories amidst the warm camaraderie of others is also explored. Cozy milieus and menus for book clubs and other gatherings abound, as do teatime treats informed by enduring childhood classics such as Anne of Green Gables, Winnie-the-Pooh, and The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter.” Have a look at all that you will find within the pages of The Comfort of Books and Tea.

—How to Retreat: A Guide to Stepping Away from the Everyday to Find Space for Your Self by Caroline Sylge

The nourishment of a retreat. How to do so, as explored in this new book released in March, are the “practical steps to retreat wherever you are, whether it’s for a long weekend, a day—or even an hour. Using the seasons as an optional guide, each chapter delves into a simple theme to focus your exploration, taking you through a range of enticing activities to help you discover a happier version of yourself. From decluttering your home to tapping into your creativity, from finding your flow to learning how to say no, this accessible and beautiful collection of retreats will enable you to restore, repair, and rejuvenate yourself.”

—The Midnight Train: A Novel (The Midnight World) by Matt Haig

Many TSLL readers already enjoyed British author Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, and now his second book in his Midnight World series, The Midnight Train, becomes available next week in the States (already released in the UK and continental Europe). Described as the most anticipated book of 2026 by The New York Times, this new novel offers a choice . . . “No one can change the past, but the Midnight Train can take you there. The chance to re-live the moments that meant most.  To see what kind of person you really were. For Wilbur his best days were with Maggie, the love of his life. On his honeymoon in Venice. Before he gave it all away. He wishes he could go back and live differently. But to do so risks everything . . . “

—Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old by Mary Beard

Having fun with the classics, exploring them in a way that they perhaps have never quite been explored before, is Mary Beard in Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old. “Confronting the uses and abuses of symbols of the ancient world, Beard reminds us that the traditions and ‘masterpieces’ of Greece and Rome have certainly been politicized, but they belong to neither the left nor the right. Happily, no one owns the past. She warns us not to let a sense of reverence or overfamiliarity dampen the ‘shock of the old,’ arguing that one of the most important things that classics teach us is how to grapple with complicated and controversial things. ‘The Greeks and Romans are long dead, they cannot answer back, and you can say what you like about them,’ she reminds readers. ‘The simple fact that classics belong to none of us can offer a safe space to argue about the most difficult debates we face now.'”

Released earlier this spring in the UK and just this past week in the States, if you are looking to be reminded of the objectivity we need to bring with us when we engage with the classics or introduced to them in a most engaging way for the first time, this is your book.

British Finds

—Agatha Christie’s London: A Historical Guide to the Queen of Crime’s Capital by Tina Hodgkinson 

The importance of London to Agatha Christie and thus her stories is immense, as avid readers will no doubt agree. In this new book, Agatha Christie’s London, discover all of the places throughout the city that were referenced, provided the setting and inspiration, and homes to the many characters she created, and readers became fond of returning to solve crimes again and again.

Available now in the UK, you can purchase through Blackwells if you live in the states. And be sure to read the next item shared below before you do to scoop up some savings!

—Blackwell’s Book Sale

Enjoy 10% off when you use promo code TENOFF now through Thursday, May 28th. The gift that is Blackwells, especially to US readers, is that they ship books we have yet to have available in the states at a nominal cost. It may take about two weeks to arrive, but we have access to books we otherwise wouldn’t without paying extra. And now, we can save a bit as I have a feeling you have your eye on a book or two after this week’s British Week. 🙂

—The Boroughs of London by Matt Brown

Released back in October, “Cartographer and illustrator Mike Hall is renowned for his retro-themed print collection of boldly colored, highly detailed maps of every London borough, inspired by classic 1960s graphic design. Published to coincide with the sixtieth anniversary of the boroughs’ establishment, The Boroughs of London brings together all of Hall’s London maps in one elegant volume to pore over.” Have a look at two of the pages below.

—Cordings’ Navy Linen Chore Jacket and Cream Monty Linen Chore Jacket

Okay, Monty Don fans! Did you know that Cordings sells the chore jacket we often see Monty wearing on Gardeners’ World and at his public appearances? Yep! And while, as I share just below, more details about Monty Don’s partnering up with Cordings, currently they have two linen chore jackets available for purchase, and they ship internationally with great swiftness! While these are men’s, simply choose a size that would fit you best and if necessary, take to your tailor. I definitely am looking into purchasing one in the near future.

—Monty Don’s -inspired Indigot Vintage Chore Jacket, a collaboration with Cordings

—Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? by Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea 

Planning quite a bit ahead here for autumnal reading, but I thought you might like to know about this, what looks to be, great fun of a memoir read from Dame Judi Dench. “Dench takes us on a heartfelt and hilarious tour of her extraordinary life and career . . . Yet despite the accolades, she has been accompanied by doubt. From the movie producer who said she had “everything wrong” with her face, to the theatre director who advised her against doing sitcom. Is it any wonder she leaves a bag by the rehearsal room door in case she has to make a run for it? But stepping out of her comfort zone has been Judi’s guiding principle. And here, she reveals all in this heart-to-heart conversation. She tells stories of pranks (both on stage and off), dissects her greatest screen roles, shares tales of her joyful marriage to actor Michael Williams, as well as her passion for nature and animals.”

—I Served the King of England: by Bohumil Hrabal

Chosen by Hatchards as the Book of the Month for May 2026, I Served the King of England is described as “Satirical, witty, sardonic and thoroughly surreal at times, a picaresque rumination on class, communism and social climbing. A classic of modern European literature.” Learn more about the book here.

—A Very Vexing Murder: Harriet Smith Investigates (a Jane Austen Mystery of Murder and Deception in Highbury) by Lucy Andrew

A new British cosy-mystery series begins, taking us back to Jane Austen’s England and giving one of her characters the task of being the amateur sleuth. Author Lucy Andrew “reimagines Harriet Smith, the gullible sidekick of Jane Austen’s Emma, as a spitfire con woman, hired to break off an engagement and uncover a murderer in the genteel village of Highbury.”

—A Year at the Parsonage: The Story of a House & Garden by Ben Pentreath and Charlie McCormick

One more heads-up on a book worth knowing about, and perhaps preordering ahead so it arrives immediately upon being released. Ben Pentreath has published wonderful décor books over the years, being a trusted British interior designer. Now, in his new book, he partners up with his husband and garden extraordinaire Charlie McCormick to take us all back to where they used to live in a beautiful Parsonage for 10 years in Dorset before moving to where they now call home, the west coast of Scotland.

“Join Ben and Charlie as they take you on a journey through the history and charm of The Old Parsonage, from the initial vision for the garden to the daily routines and traditions that made their home so special. Experience the rhythm of life in West Dorset, from the renewal of spring to the reflection of winter, and witness the couple’s final moments in the house as they prepare for a new adventure on the remote island of Rousay, Orkney.”

Décor

—1st Dibs Sale, up to 60% off

I have decorating on the mind lately as I am right in the middle of three rooms being redone (check out my IG Highlights to see what was going on at Le Papillon earlier this week), and as I was perusing 1stDibs along with other consignment and online antique shops for a piece of furniture for the foyer, I discovered this sale! Happening now through the weekend, enjoy up to 60% off oodles of items. I have shopped a few below, and this copper English tea kettle is a spotlight find, perfect for this week’s festivities.

Shop the Sale:

Francophile Finds

—Murder Most Delicious: A Novel by Danielle Postel-Vinay

Now, it may be British Week, and while I am saving many other non-British finds for next week, I had to drop in a French find and other items you don’t want to miss out on. I want to thank a TSLL reader for bringing this title to my attention. Danielle Postel-Vinay has written other books about French lifestyle, but this is her first dabbling into the cosy-mystery genre. Murder Most Delicious centers around Olivia Beech, who is a sommelier and an American who is starting over in Paris and is in the middle of being interviewed for her dream job with beloved celebrity chef Jacques de Bizet, when all of a sudden, just as the interview begins, he collapses, poisoned, making Olivia the prime suspect. Olivia is in trouble, but she has an advantage: her extraordinary nose is still sharp enough to detect the subtlest of scents, including the poison that killed Jacques.”

Garden

—Beauty & Abundance: British Cottage Gardens by Clare Foggett and Jonathan Buckley

This is one of a handful of cottage garden books being released this spring, and while I will save the others for sharing on Saturday in the monthly Garden post, I wanted to give you a taste of the beautiful inspiration you will find within their pages.

If you too love the British cottage garden aesthetic, I have a sneakingly certain suspicion you are going to delight in this book. “Featuring some of the most beautiful examples of cottage gardens in the UK today, these incredible spaces will transport you into a distinctly British world of peonies, foxgloves, roses and dahlias, with interviews with the designers and head gardeners featured to provide plenty of inspiration for bringing your own cottage garden to life.”

—RHS Chelsea Flower Show, BritBox/BBC

My weekend plans are cemented as I will be catching up on all of the coverage of the annual Chelsea Flower Show that began this past Monday. Here in the States, you can watch each of the hour-long daily programs that aired on the BBC by upgrading to Premier on BritBox. For this one week, I think I am going to do it as I cannot not see all that was on display. Having seen a few clips here and there, I especially enjoyed seeing the genuine enjoyment by the King as he made his traditional visit. He seems to thoroughly be right at home around Mother Nature, and that tickles me.

—Grow Together: 50 Planting Partnerships to Boost Your Harvests by Charles Dowding

If you are a gardener who watches British television, you already know who Charles Dowding is, as he is fondly named the No Dig guru. In his new book released this past April, “he uses 40 years of growing experience to recommend which crops to grow successfully together, how to time it right, and how to harvest in particular ways, to grow the tastiest, pest-free crops as space-efficiently as possible. Carrots between lettuces, fennel between spinach, garlic interplanted with coriander, broad beans around asparagus, cucumbers between peas and strawberries: 50 different proven combinations are shared to help you get the most from growing crops in tune with the seasons, the soil community, and wider environment.”

After reading this article in The Financial Times, I further appreciated all of his insights about how to find success in the garden while working with Mother Nature.

—My Gardening Life by Mary Berry

If Mary Berry had to choose between baking and gardening regarding which is her love, it would be a tie race, but then again, why does she have to choose? She clearly knows what she’s doing in both arenas, so I am thrilled to learn about her new book that is all about gardening. My Gardening Life was released earlier this spring, but I have been saving it to share with you this week.

Primarily a memoir, what readers will find is a “deeply personal account, she reveals all that she has learned through a lifetime of growing, including:

• The gardens she has loved and tended
• The plants she loves to grow
• The people who have inspired and influenced her
• How she gardens through each season
• What gardening means to her

Full of anecdotes, pearls of wisdom, and beautiful photos of Mary’s own garden, My Gardening Life is a unique memoir told through the gardens Mary has loved. As she says, ‘In another life, I may have been a gardener.'”

Shopping – Memorial Day Sales

—Ayr archive sale

There are essentially sales everywhere as we step into the Memorial Day weekend here in the States and a Bank Holiday in the UK. I’ve spotlighted a handful here and did some shopping for you, and while we’re stepping into warm weather season, it is actually a great time to buy your winter coats, and this one from Ayr is a great deal. There is much more on sale, so be sure to shop their entire Archives.

—Banana Republic Factory, 50-70% off everything

Beyond steep savings at BR Factory. Literally everything is on sale and at at least 50%. Below is a find that quickly caught my eye, but be sure to explore the entire site.

Linen-blend knee-length shirt dress, four colors

—J. Crew Sale, 40% off (+50% off dresses)

Yet again, great savings, site-wide (40% off), and if you are looking for dresses, all of them are 50% off. A few stand-outs are shared below.

—Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton shirt dress, 40% off

This dress is on sale just about everywhere, but the best discount is found at Bloomingdale’s, which is what I have linked here. A classic, and one I might just have to add to my wardrobe as the price is too good not to scoop up.

—Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale

Where I originally found the dress above from Ralph Lauren was while perusing Nordstrom’s sale (but Bloomingdale’s price was better). But back to Nordstrom’s – it’s their Half Yearly Sale, and I have shopped a few items below.

SHOP THE SALE:

—Lauren Ralph Lauren’s Relaxed Fit Linen Short-Sleeve Shirt, three colors

Television

—The Four Seasons, season 2, Netflix

While having nothing to do with British Week, I had to bring this returning show to your attention because the first season, an adaptation of Alan Alda’s film of the same name, was a treat. Tina Fey has taken full control of the reins this time and brought us season two, following the couples right where they left off at the end of season one, and it all kicks off next week on Thursday, May 28th. Have a look at the trailer below.

—Ladies First, Netflix

This film looks intriguing to say the least. Sasha Baron Cohen and Rosumund Pike star in Ladies First, in which Cohen stars as the arrogant but charismatic ladies’ man who finds his life of money, power, and casual flings upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women.” It reminds me of the French film I Am Not an Easy Man, which is an absolute must-watch that is also a satire about the double standards regarding gender and privilege. Have a look at the trailer for Ladies First below and look for it to premiere today on Netflix.

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The consumption of British digestive biscuits increased astronomically this week as I fueled myself while writing the posts this week. It has been my pleasure to do so (and I hope you have treated yourself as well. 🙂

Nelle has been napping at my side or on my lap or in her bed by my feet all the while, and the enjoyment had while reading all of the comments this week on all of the posts has been a special treat. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and read, engaged, and shared. Your presence in TSLL community is appreciated not just by me but by every other reader as this really has become a week of shared celebration, joy, and discovery of all things British. Catch up on all 12 posts already shared this week here.

And it’s not over yet!

Later today, the Grand Giveaway will be posted, so be sure to swing back by and enter before Saturday at noon (Pacific time). All of the winners will be announced on Sunday, May 24th, when we conclude this year’s event. And there are still more posts! Two more posts of content will be shared on Saturday – one garden-focused and the other food-focused. Yep, even if you didn’t know this year’s theme was cozying in at home, you probably would have guessed, and I hope you’ve found inspiration for doing just that while incorporating your favorite British-inspired details.

Now, a few more British finds in the form of articles and two videos. I do hope you enjoy, and until later today, cheerio!

~A thought to ponder – perfect or better, I think we know which will cultivate contentment [Seth Godin]

~Six of the grandest Cotswolds homes on sale right now [Country Living]

~A creative couple came up with some beautifully creative ways to reimagine this west London home that was once two artist studios. [House & Garden UK]

~Another home to tour and this time, a Cotswold’s cottage [House & Garden UK]

~A prequel to The Crown is in the works at Netflix. [Town & Country]

~And a garden and home tour of Sarah Raven’s East Sussex colorful sanctuary [House & Garden UK]

~A favorite read of the week: Gardeners’ World Frances Tophill gave a great interview sharin gwhy she won’t ‘go the full Monty when it comes to giving her privacy away. [The Telegraph]

~A funny article and a bit of history to remember – Lock your doors and close the windows, the Royal Family is coming to visit. [Country Living]

~Many TSLL readers have reached out to me to say how much they enjoyed this interivew with Monty Don that aired a couple of months ago. I have been saving it to share with you all during this week of celebrating all things British. Settle in for an hour of conversation on The Rosebud Podcast. It’s quite a treat.

~A wonderful conversation with Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench, hosted by Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter at the National Theatre about how good theatre brings us together.

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~Explore last year’s British Week’s edition of This & That – May 23, 2025

Explore all of the Posts Shared during this Year’s British Week