12.
Big Ben. I mean really. He's the kind of clock who laughs at other, lesser clocks. Who looks on as digital time-keeping takes the world by storm and says "Yo mama." And gets away with it. Because he's
Big Ben.
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| I'm Big Ben, yo. Recognize. |
11.
Shakespeare. A rose by any other name would still write some pretty amazing plays. I'd rhapsodize over him a bit, but the show must go on. Besides, if I were to misquote him, I fear he'd demand his pound of flesh.
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That's right. I wrote a ton of plays that are still being performed centuries later AND I rocked a lace collar. Because I am one BAAAAAD dude.
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10.
High Tea. This is a regularly scheduled break in the middle of the afternoon wherein one consumes various items which are terrible for your hips, but do wonders for your mood. What's not to love?
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Come on. Just a taste. You know you want to.
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9.
Scones. A regular feature at the high tea table, and one I enjoy like nothing else. I enjoy a well-made scone so much, I'm overlooking the unfortunate existence of kippers at the English breakfast table.
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| Yes. I am delicious. And I am not a kipper, which makes me extra delicious. |
8.
Monty Python. There's nothing on Earth like British humor. I have no idea if the Brits consider MP to be an exemplary example of fine British humor, but I enjoy them very much. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go shout Niii and scare random passers-by because, as I'm sure you've noticed, I'm not dead yet.
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| Invisible horses! It's all the rage. |
7.
Castles. Why live in a home when you can have a castle? Okay, fine. I know most Brits don't live in them, but the castles are gorgeous, and I love them with the same kind of fierce passion I reserve for pirates and peach tea.
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| Look at me, all you lesser, boring, un-turreted homes. The envy, it BURNS. |
6.
Bond. James Bond. Thank you, England. I'll take him shaken, not stirred.
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| I don't need a bloody caption. I'm Bond. James Bond. |
5.
Victorian Gowns. You have to love fashion that rearranges your ribs to give you a tiny waist while simultaneously poofing out your butt as if you'd somehow trapped a small whale beneath your skirts. I frankly adore ballgowns and corsets and a nice top hat on a man. Well done, Victoria. Well done.
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| We may have sat on some whales, but our dresses are still prettier than anything in your closet. |
4.
Sherlock Holmes. I've always enjoyed this flawed, narcissistic genius, but when it came to the big screen courtesy of Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, I moved from enjoyment to flat out fangirl.
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| Yes. I am brilliant. Shall we bask in that realization for a moment? |
3.
Tower of London. You have to love a country who locks criminals in a tower. Even though I adore towers (see Castle love above), I will probably mind my Ps and Qs while I'm in London. I don't actually think they lock mouthy Americans in the tower, but I don't feel like tempting them to break that tradition.
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| NOT C.J.'s future home. |
2.
Harry Potter. If none of the above existed, I would still love the UK for this series alone. Because I cannot write a paragraph documenting my deep love for the HP books without it turning into an essay, I will simply readjust the Sorting Hat that I'm currently wearing, dust off my potion bottles (Mandrake, Felix Felicitas, & Polyjuice), and move on.
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| Bring it, Voldemort. |
1.
Atom Books. And the #1 reason why I love the UK is this:
Atom Books, an imprint of Little Brown, UK, bought the DEFIANCE trilogy!!! I am thrilled to be working with the talented team at Atom, and can't wait to hold my UK version in my hands!
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| We rock your socks off. |
