Trinity Term has come upon us faster than the lovely magnolia has blossomed, which means the weather has warmed up, the sun is out, and we’re finally moving into the summer (okay, scientifically spring) season! For those looking to read for fun, and not just their degree, below is a perfect Trinity trail of ideal reading spots in Oxford, with book recommendations to accompany every single one.
First Spot – Vaults and Garden’s summer terrace
Every year, there’s a vicious fight to get these coveted terrace spots, and for good reason! The University Church provides shade, there’s a cool breeze, you can order delicious scones, and you get a view of the Rad Cam. Speaking of scones and afternoon gluttony…
Must-read: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
If you still haven’t read Oscar Wilde’s greatest comedy, this is your perfect opportunity. This short masterpiece is filled with Wilde’s classic wit, and endless aphorisms. It’s a blend of false and mistaken identities, hastened marriages, frivolous engagements, served with lots of social commentary and drama. There’s also plenty of afternoon tea scenes. You won’t be able to tear yourself away, just like Algernon can’t stop with the muffins, so why not spend the whole afternoon over the play, all while having your own mini snack?
Second Spot – In Christ Church Meadows, under the shade of a tree
If you walk past the river bank where the boat house is, you will get to a bend where people rarely go, except if they’re walking the full circle. This means you’ll be largely undisturbed, and the grass makes for a soft sitting space. You can truly forget about the essay crisis and return back to your childhood memories of warm days of seemingly endless time.
Must-read: Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa
To make that feeling even stronger, here’s a Japanese fiction recommendation that’s filled with whimsy, childlike carelessness, and the sense of almost limitless potential. After Tomoko is sent to live with her uncle in a coastal town, she finds herself in a fascinatingly mysterious mansion. Her cousin even rides a Pygmy hippo to school. Oh, and she’s a pyromaniac. Oh, and their house is, again, insanely cool… or maybe just insane. Need I say more?
Third Spot – Port Meadow amongst the horses
Snow White may have sung to animals, but you need not be a choir scholar to have your Disney experience. You can simply read in Port Meadow, and the horses will at some point likely become curious. You might need to sit still though, so you need a book that will truly immerse you, and spark a state of careful, slow reflection.
Must read: Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust
Hear me out on this one: I know In Search of Lost Time is one of the longest books in the world, but reading a volume a year has become my obsession. Let me make it yours too. Proust writes beautifully – every page is filled with sentiment, emotion, and humanity. His writing is best described as incredibly floral, with the slow nostalgic tone and descriptions reminding me of waiting for the first flower to bloom just to examine every petal. This is a book for thinking and feeling deeply.
Last but not least – By the Oxford canal
The Oxford canal town path is very long, so you are guaranteed to find a lovely seat. You’ll have the occasional barge glide by, the water will provide the necessary coolness, and although the place feels isolated, you can very easily head back to the city centre at any moment. This is also a darker reading spot, so the perfect place for when you’re looking to enjoy a more sombre novel. Or gaze melancholically at the water, despairing over unrequited love…
Must read: White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The main character loves to go on walks by the riverbank (how apt for your situation!) and is a hopeless romantic who falls in love with a young woman yearning in turn for the chance to see her own lover once more. So hopefully not the exact same as your situation, then. He sees her as the sweetest, most perfect young girl, and he does everything he can to help her, and she in turn begins to love him as her closest friend. Could this turn into something more? Does it matter if it doesn’t?
These are among a few perfect places to enjoy your book! Oxford is truly a literary city, where so many words and stories have begun, there can be no greater gift than reading here. Wandering the cobbled streets, enjoying the view of sun-kissed quads and the tantalising promise of the Bodleian libraries’ endlessly appealing shelves is so inspiring in getting you to pick up a novel, and finally hit that reading goal. Maybe Trinity will be the term to find your favourite read and retreat.
