Books Events
Events
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to suzanne.black@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Suzanne Black.
Thursday 19
Glasgow FREE Vintage Vogue Sale Glasgow Women’s Library, 2nd Floor, 81 Parnie Street, 552 8345. 5–7pm. A one-off chance to get your hands on some of the library’s collection of vintage fashion mags, for keeps. As well as nearly 300 Vogues there are ELLE, Marie Claire, Q and Cosmopolitan back issues from the 1980s onwards. All proceeds will support the library’s move to new premises. FREE Ian Mitchell Goethe Institut, 3 Park Circus, 332 2555. 7pm. Ian Mitchell talks about his new novel, Winter in Berlin, in which a Scottish socialist sympathizer navigates 1980s East Germany, espionage and dangerous love. RSVP to events@luath.co.uk
Edinburgh ✽✽ FREE Elaine C Smith Waterstone’s, 13–14 Princes Street,
556 3034. 5.30pm. The Lanarkshire comedy queen and playwright discusses her autobiography, Nothing Like a Dame. FREE Gerry Hassan Blackwell, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8206. 6.15pm. Ticketed. Launch of a new tome, edited by Gerry Hassan, about the role of the SNP in the politics of Scotland, The Modern SNP: from Protest to Power.
Friday 20
Glasgow FREE The Golden Hour Mearns Library, Newton Mearns. 7.30pm. A trip to Glasgow for the anarchic cabaret evening with reader Ryan Van Winkle and music from Jed Milroy, Burnt Island and The Oran Social. Edinburgh FREE Illustrating the Waverley Novels University of Edinburgh, Main Library, George Square, 650 3384. ‘Illustrating the Waverley Novels: Scott, Scotland, and the London Print Trade, 1819-36’, a talk by Peter Garside of The Centre for the History of the Book.
Saturday 21
Glasgow FREE Bob McCallum and Garry Ralston Waterstone’s, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 11am. Meet and greet with Rangers’ Ralston and McCallum as they promote Rangers 1872: The Gallant Pioneers. Edinburgh FREE Paul Henke Borders Books, Fort Kinnaird Retail Park, 657 4041. 10am. Former Royal Naval commander Paul Henke appears instore to promote his books in The International Force Against Terrorism series.
Monday 23 Glasgow Creative Writing Programme Borders Books, 98 Buchanan Street, 222 7700. 6pm. £6.50 (£30 for six sessions). Alistair Paterson leads a weekly class to inspire, guide and shape your literary outpourings.
Tuesday 24
Edinburgh ✽✽ Alexander McCall Smith in Conversation Signet Library,
Parliament Square, 655 1515. 6.30pm. £8. Alexander McCall Smith introduces his latest work, Corduroy Mansions, and there’s the chance to sample food from
38 THE LIST 19 Nov–3 Dec 2009
Mma Ramotswe’s Cookbook written by Stuart Brown. FREE Scotland: A Suitable Case for Treatment National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 4675. 7pm. A discussion about former First Minister of Scotland Henry McLeish and journalist and political commentator Tom Brown’s new book, followed by an author signing.
Wednesday 25
Edinburgh ✽✽ Home is Where the Heart Is National Museum of Scotland,
Chambers Street, 225 7534. 7pm. £5 (£4; members free). Ron Butlin, Edinburgh’s Makar, or Poet Laureate, gives some short, informal readings and reflects on what Homecoming 2009 has meant to him. Edward Hollis The Edinburgh Bookshop, 181 Bruntsfield Place, 7.30pm. £5 (redeemable against purchase). Architect Ed Hollis talks about his debut book, The Secret Lives of Buildings. Ticket includes a glass of wine. Poetry Association of Scotland: John Glenday Book Launch Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 7.30pm. £5 (£3; members free). Launch of poetry collection Grain.
Thursday 26 Glasgow FREE Al Murray Borders Books, 98 Buchanan Street, 222 7700. 4pm. A cleverly ironic attack on British foibles or an excuse for bigotry? Whatever you think of The Pub Landlord, Murray’s book, Think Yourself British, continues in the same vein.
Edinburgh FREE Craig Weldon Blackwell, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8206. 6.15pm. Ticketed. Craig Weldon’s first book, The Weekend Fix, explores his passion for hillwalking, and hopes to inspire others to take to the hills
Friday 27
Edinburgh Toggerel Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 7–9.30pm. £10. Terry Wogan fans (and there are enough of them to merit a name: TOGS) read poems and verse at the BBC Children in Need event. Booking advisable. Guid Crack Club Waverly Bar, St Mary’s Street, 556 9579. 7.30pm. £3 suggested donation. Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club welcomes all to listen or contribute to the spinning of yarns. A delightful evening of words and song. The Craic Where the Light Gets in St James Hall, John’s Place, Leith, 555 2597. 8.30pm. £6 (£4). Poetry and music from Elspeth Murray, Richard Medrington and author Nick Thorpe. The music part of the evening comes from the Cast, David Francis and Mairi Campbell, who draw inspiration from Robert Burns and Scotland’s rich ballad heritage and even had their version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ used in Sex & the City: The Movie. Part of Adventfest.
Saturday 28 Glasgow FREE Seeds of Thought CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7.30–11.30pm. Live spoken word,
Al Murray Now, that’s a beautiful, British name. And upon the cover of Think Yourself British is Al Murray splayed.
The supreme irony of the Pub Landlord may have bypassed the attentions of some of his more ITV-based fans, but Murray is not caring a jot as he rakes in the spin-off proceeds from his finest creation. ■ Borders Books, Glasgow, Thu 26 Nov.
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acoustic music, drama sketches and open mic celebrating Black History month. Edinburgh FREE Gordon Brown Borders Books, Fort Kinnaird Retail Park, 657 4041. 1pm. Gordon Brown (but not the one that lives at Number Ten) launches his latest book, Falling. Readers’ Day Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, 474 0000. 10am–3.30pm. £15. So many reading- related events hosted by East Lothian library service: authors Lin Anderson, Alan Bissett and Peter Kerr will read from their work and hold workshops, there are activities including a quiz, and find a new treasure in the book swap. Booking required. FREE Sound Poetry Day Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 2–5pm. Drop in to listen to recordings and short talks about sound poets, such as Hugo Ball, Kurt Schwitters and Bob Cobbing.
Sunday 29
Edinburgh Shore Poets Canons’ Gait, 232 Canongate, 0794 192 9239. 7.45pm. £4 (£3). Monthly poetry and music club, with performances from Anne Frater, Ian McDonough and Ellie Stewart.
Monday 30 Glasgow Creative Writing Programme Borders Books, 98 Buchanan Street, 222 7700. 6pm. £6.50 (£30 for six sessions). See Mon 23.
Tuesday 1
Glasgow ✽✽ DiScomBoBuLate The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000.
7.30pm. £4 (£2). A laid-back performance night of literature and comedy as established and emergent writers try out new material. Ian Macpherson hosts with guests including Bernard MacLaverty and Ewan Morrison.
Edinburgh FREE Office Hours Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 4–6pm. The Reader in Residence’s door is open for a chat and a cuppa.
Wednesday 2 Edinburgh FREE Reading Group: Nothing but the Poem Central Library, George IV Bridge, 242 8000. 6.30pm. Removing the pressures of review, criticism and hype, and without relying on background knowledge, this gentle reading group led by Julie Johnstone focuses on the reader’s response to the text. For booking and more details please phone or email reception@spl.org.uk
Thursday 3
Glasgow FREE Poetry Discussion Group Mitchell Library, 201 North Street, 287 2999. 6pm. Lively and informal discussions of poetry on the first Thursday of every month.
Edinburgh ✽✽ FREE Alan Bissett and Doug Johnstone National Library of
Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6.30pm. Two of the toasts of Scotland’s contemporary literary scene discuss and read from their works.
✽✽ In Conversation with Bernard MacLaverty Scottish Poetry
Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 7.30pm. £7 (£5). the prolific writer and raconteur talks about his favourite poems while whisky, oat cakes and cheese sweeten the deal.