list.co.uk/books COMIC

HORROR COMIC ALAN MOORE & JACEN BURROWS Neonomicon (Avatar) ●●●●●

While we wait impatiently for the final instalment of the latest The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century, we have this new graphic novella from the grand magi of comics to be going on with. Neonomicon is Alan Moore’s take on the weird tales of HP Lovecraft and this volume collects the four-part comic of the same name and its two-part prequel from 2003, The Courtyard. That’s the provenance established. The two stories, which dovetail neatly and are

both nicely illustrated by Jacen Burrows, are a modern take on the Depression-era horror stories about secret cults and unspeakable monstrosities living on the edge of our existence that Lovecraft made his name with. Fans will appreciate the myriad of references to the writer’s work. Beyond these, Moore has, mischievously, perhaps outrageously to purists, also included more risqué material he believes Lovecraft self-censored, deriving from his racism and sexual phobias.

And Moore once again interrogates the fine line between fact and fiction by introducing the kind of metafictional plotting we’ve seen in much of his work, most recently in The League series. In the grand scheme of Moore’s output, this is a modest addition to his canon. But anything Moore puts his hand to is worth reading, and Neonomicon is no exception. (Miles Fielder)

ALSO PUBLISHED HEALTH BOOKS

It’s that time of year when the season’s jollities come back to haunt you. Stepping on the scales or glancing in the mirror can be a pretty scary prospect. Fortunately, you’re never short of advice in written form come January. Edinburgh-based personal trainer Tracy Griffen publishes her Healthy Living Yearbook (Griffen Fitness), a guide to a better lifestyle which is moulded around the four seasons, offering fitness ideas come wind, rain or snow (it’s Scotland, remember) and providing healthy seasonal recipes.

When you see books written by a doctor, you might feel comforted or experience an overwhelming desire to run a mile. Dr Mike Dow is the co-host of American show Freaky Eaters and in Diet Rehab (Michael Joseph) he aims to get you off junk food in one month. Meanwhile, Escape the Diet Trap (Fourth Estate) from Dr John Briffa (pictured) is subtitled ‘lose weight for good without calorie-counting, extensive exercise or hunger’ thus pushing a whole host of buttons in one go.

When it comes to telling (or selling) you straight, some authors have chosen to adopt the ‘F’ word, presumably in an attempt to probe deep into your guilty zones. Run, Fat Bitch, Run (Sphere) by Ruth Field will have you sprinting towards success and Target Your Fat Spots (Quadrille) from Max Tomlinson seeks to rid you of bingo wings, protruding belly, heavy thighs, big bottom, love handles or those man boobs. Should you have all of the above, a mere book might not save you. (Brian Donaldson)

Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 16 days before publication to books@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry Thursday 5

Glasgow FREE Poetry Discussion Group Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. 6–7pm. Informal discussions of poetry on the first Thursday of every month.

✽✽ FREE Scottish Writers’ Centre presents Ron Butlin, In

Process CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. In the first of a new series of events from the SWC focusing on the craft of writing, Edinburgh Makar Butlin talks in detail about how he writes poetry, novels and even the odd opera. See caption, page 50.

Friday 6 Glasgow FREE The Magic Carpet Cabaret Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, 42 Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. A night of poetry, songs and stories, with open mic spots.

EVENTS Books

The School of Poets Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6pm. £2 for a taster session; £10 (£5) yearly membership. Monthly workshop- type poetry session aiming to encourage and develop writing skills. Beginners and more experienced writers are equally welcome. You can attend any session as a taster, and if you like it, join up for the year. Electric Tales The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£4). A blended mix of comedy and storytelling, making for a chilled night of funny yarns and verse told by a range of performers, with the sole aim of cheering you up. Tonight’s host is so super cheerful you can’t help but be uplifted by her whimsical jokes and dinosaur facts it’s Siân Bevan, ably assisted by Susan Morrison.

Wednesday 11 Glasgow FREE Graphic Novel Book Group The Crystal Palace, 36 Jamaica Street, 237 1137. 7.30pm. A book group for those who like plenty of pictures with their words, run by Plan B Books. This month they’re looking at two books by Norwegian cartoonist Jason (John Arne Sæterøy to his mum), I Killed Adolf Hitler and The Last Musketeer.

Monday 9 Friday 13

Edinburgh FREE Blackwell Book Quiz Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8201. 6pm. Test your literary credentials in teams of up to five members. Please arrive for 5.45pm. FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7–9.30pm. Social meet-up for creative writers: most bring something to read and contributions have ranged from poetry, short stories, children’s stories and flash fiction to excerpts from scripts and novels. There are also discussions on (usually) writing-related matters, such as getting a publisher or dealing with writers’ block. FREE Blind Poetics Blind Poet, 32c West Nicolson Street, 667 4268. 8pm. A free monthly night of spoken word and poetry, hosted by Alec Beattie. There are limited open mic slots available, email blindpoetics@gmail.com to express an interest.

Tuesday 10 Edinburgh Rogue Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. Times tbc. £tbc. Informal meet-up and sharing of work for writers, followed by a pint or two.

Edinburgh Café Voices Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. £5. A relaxed monthly session of oral storytelling, poetry by memory, music and song. In the middle of the month of Janus, the two- faced god who looks forward and back, storyteller Helen East celebrates the old and the new.

Monday 16 Edinburgh FREE The Blackwell Children’s Book Group Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. An hour of friendly chat about books for 8–11 year olds, every month. FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7–9.30pm. See Mon 9.

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StAnza Programme Launch

This year’s St Andrews poetry bash gets to us in mid-March and here the shebang receives its official launch. Among those who will be displaying their versey wares come the spring are Jackie Kay (pictured), Kwame Dawes, Kathleen Jamie, Christopher Reid, Lavinia Greenlaw, John Burnside and Joe Dunthorne. National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, Wed 1 Feb. 5 Jan–2 Feb 2012 THE LIST 49