Welcome to English at Royal Holloway! We can’t wait for you to hopefully join us here on campus in September, but until then we wanted to give you some ideas and activities to help you get ready over the summer. None of this is homework, far from it! It’s just our way of spreading some love of literature with you all.
Looking for a summer read?
- Take a look at The Independent’s list of best new books for 2026 https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/books/best-new-books-b2125663.html
- Or celebrate Pride Month with The Booker’s 12 book recommendations https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/12-of-the-best-novels-for-pride-month-from-the-booker-library
- There are also some books we'd recommend because we think they’d be useful and pleasurable for you to read in advance. None of the list is homework though or obligatory before you arrive – it's just if you want to and you fancy getting stuck in to the kinds of things you could be reading on your course. You can find an indicative reading list here.
Or perhaps you're raring to write your own story?
- You might have heard of heard of Flash Fiction — it’s storytelling stripped to the bone, quick, punchy tales usually under 1,000 words that hit hard and leave a mark. It’s perfect for busy lives; packing emotion, twists, and meaning into just a few paragraphs. Why not try creating something short but powerful with these Flash Fiction prompts: https://www.squibler.io/learn/writing/writing-prompts/flash-fiction-prompts/
- Or you could take those prompts and get leaner still with Postcard Fiction – just 500 words to make a big impression in a tiny space. Twists, turns, development and meaning – can you fit it all on a postcard?
We’d love to hear more about what you've been reading and writing over the summer, so if you’re happy to share your thoughts on your social media, why not tag @rhulenglish or @rhulcreativewriting on Instagram?
You can also learn more about English and some of the people that will be teaching you during your degree, here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-education/departments-and-schools/english/about-us/
Lastly, if you're joining us via an integrated foundation year, you might also like to take a look here at some activities and information specifically to do with that year.
