Events | BOOKS
Made in Edinburgh, discusses the local landscape with Calton Hill authors Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith. FREE Inky Fingers Open Mic The Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place, 229 4922. 8–11pm. Open mic for literature and spoken word lovers. Email ahead for a chance to perform, or just watch and admire. Turnbull, Kevin Cadwallender, Skye Loneragan and Miko Berry. Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith: Calton Hill – Journeys and Evocations Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7–8.30pm. £5. McHardy and Smith share stories from the follow-up to their volume on Arthur’s Seat.
Thursday 6 Thursday 13
list.co.uk/books
(Belle and Sebastian) and Eugene Kelly (Vaselines), plus a multimedia interpretation of ‘Tam o’ Shanter’. Sunday 26
Edinburgh Shore Poets Henderson’s @ St John’s, St John’s Terrace, 3 Lothian Road, 229 0212. 7.45–10pm. £5 (£3). Thought- provoking new verse and live music, with Neu! Reekie!’s Michael Pedersen, Shore Poet’s Jane McKie and headliner Costa prize-winner Kathleen Jamie.
Monday 27
Glasgow FREE Last Monday at Rio The Rio Café, 27 Hyndland Street, 334 9909. 8pm. Poetry and spoken word night for the West End, hosted by Robin Cairns. Email to book a five-minute slot.
Tuesday 28
Glasgow Poetry Masterclass with Brian Whittingham CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. £6 (£3; SWC members free). Get deep into the creative process as Whittington leads ‘A journey to being a writer’, the first of two masterclasses, involving a talk, a workshop and a writing assignment. Wednesday 29
Glasgow Treasures and Tea – Robert Burns Collection Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. 2.30pm. £7.95. View the library’s Robert Burns Collection and grab a cuppa in the Old Glasgow Room.
Glasgow FREE Elizabeth Laird: The Lure of the Honeybird National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. Laird discusses the stories contained in her new book The Lure of the Honeybird: The Storytellers of Ethiopia with the BBC’s Serena Field.
Friday 7
Edinburgh Vive the [R]évolution: Poems in Translation Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. 7–8pm. £5 (£3). Contemporary Scottish poets delve into French verse and explore the process of translation. Tonight, Peter Manson discusses the influence of Mallarmé on experimental poetry. Illicit Ink Skyground Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 8–10pm. £5 (£3). In this narrative-focused spoken word event, a crew works together to create an ensemble story with a complete narrative arc. This time it’s ‘Geraldine’s Gun’, with seven storytellers, musicians, comedians and writers telling the story of the ‘unluckiest bride in Scotland’. Saturday 8
Glasgow ✽The Accelerator The Roxy 171, 171 Great Western Road, 07904
703176. 8.30–10.30pm. £3–£4. See Wed 12. Tonight, Viv Gee, Miko Berry, Leyla O’Reilly and Stephen Watt. FREE Gordon Johnston: Calling Cards Berkeley Suite, 237 North Street, 237 3235. 6.30–10.30pm. Ringwood Publishing and Gordon Johnston celebrate the launch of Johnston’s debut novel, a crime thriller set in Glasgow.
Edinburgh Armistead Maupin: The Days of Anna Madrigal Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 7pm. £5 (loyalty card holders £3). The author discusses the latest in his Tales of the City series. Café Voices Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7–9pm. £5. A relaxed session of oral storytelling, poetry and song. Tonight, Claire & Fergus McNicol share tales on the theme ‘Love Stories’.
Friday 14
Pitlochry ✽Winter Words Festival Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port Na Craig,
01796 484626. Until Sun 23 Feb. Times vary. Prices vary. The tenth Winter Words Festival returns with an emphasis on momentous events; the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup, the referendum and the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn. Authors include Lesley Riddoch, Tracy Thorn, Sally Magnusson, Mike McCartney and Neil Oliver.
Saturday 15
Edinburgh ✽The Queen Who Flew through the Sky to Seek Her Beloved
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7.30pm. £6 (£4). The ancient Indian tale of Queen Chudala and King Sikhidvaja’s love, told by storyteller Sharadha Bain.
Sunday 16
Edinburgh Appletree Writing Courses The Whole Works, Jackson Close, 209 Royal Mile, appletreewriters.co.uk 10.30am– 4.30pm. £40. Learn from those who have done it before and explore the way from mind to page. Today, Sheree Mack hosts ‘The Secret Language of Place and Travel’.
Tuesday 18
Edinburgh ✽Joanne Harris: The Gospel of Loki Blackwell’s, 53–59 South
Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Free but ticketed. The author of Chocolat releases her first fantasy novel, centring on Norse trickster god Loki.
Thursday 20
Glasgow ✽FREE Gavin Francis: Empire Antarctica – Ice, Silence
and Emperor Penguins National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. Although he went to Antarctica as an on-base medical doctor, Francis ended up spending a lot of time with emperor penguins. He talks about his life-changing experience.
TOP 5 . . . FIRST LOVES
Whether you’re single or shacked-up this Valentine’s Day, take a moment to reminisce about some literary romances – both the good and the bad
Eleanor & Park – Rainbow Rowell
Teenage misfits Eleanor and Park discover that they fit one another just fine. Set aside a few hours, curl up with this young adult novel, and try not to shed a wee tear at the end. Just Kids – Patti Smith
In 1970s New York, Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe are not yet the High Priestess of Punk and a world-famous photographer – they’re just two wannabe artists trying to make their way. A glorious trip through an intense, platonic love affair.
The Cement Garden – Ian McEwan Not all first loves are sweet, as this grotesque and claustrophobic novel shows. When their parents die, four children are left to fend for themselves. Rather than give themselves up to the authorities, they hide their parents’ deaths. Time passes, with each of the children dealing with the loss in their own complex way. But soon the eldest daughter’s boyfriend is asking questions . . .
The Reader – Bernard Schlink
Fifteen-year-old Michael is rescued and seduced by older woman Hanna – only for her to disappear. When Michael next sees Hanna, he is a law student and she is on trial for a hideous crime. Love, horror and dark secrets unfold against the backdrop of post-war Germany. Tipping the Velvet – Sarah Waters
When oyster-shucker’s daughter Nancy Astley meets male impersonator Miss Kitty Butler, it’s love – or at least lust – at first sight. Through all her adventures in gender-bending and vaudeville in Victorian London, Nan never quite gets over the sensual and heart-breaking Kitty. (Kirsty Logan)
23 Jan–20 Feb 2014 THE LIST 45
Edinburgh FREE StAnza 2014 Preview National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. Scotland’s International Poetry Festival journeys from St Andrews to Edinburgh for one night only, with a selection of poems and music from special guests. Edinburgh FREE National Libraries Day Tours National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 10am, 11am & noon. Celebrate National Libraries Day with a tour of the NLS. Go behind the scenes and learn about the collections. Booking essential.
Friday 31 Monday 10
Edinburgh Tam O’ Shanter: Telling the Big Tale Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 2–5pm. £18 (£15). Donald Smith explores the narrative of Burns’ great work and teaches you how to recite it with aplomb. Burnsfest. Guid Crack Club Waverley Bar, 1 St Mary’s Street, 557 1050. 7.30–10pm. £3 suggested donation. The theme of tonight’s storytelling club is ‘Tales of Magic and Mystery’, with storyteller and musician Marion Kenny.
Monday 3
Edinburgh FREE Blackwell’s Book Quiz Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8201. 6pm. Test your literary credentials in teams of up to five members. Booking essential. FREE Tricolour: NLS Poetry Night National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6.30pm. Three spoken word and performance poets with three different styles. This month, it’s Agnes Torok, Michael Pedersen and Jem Rolls.
Tuesday 4
Glasgow Poetry Masterclass with Brian Whittingham CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. £6 (£3; SWC members free). The second masterclass involves the critiquing and editing of last session’s assignments. Edinburgh FREE Made in Edinburgh and Calton Hill National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. Poet Tessa Ransford, author of
Edinburgh FREE Angus Peter Campbell: The Girl on the Ferryboat National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3748. 6pm. The Scottish writer launches his latest, the first book to be published simultaneously in Gaelic and English.
Tuesday 11
Glasgow In Process with Angus Peter Campbell CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. £6 (£3; SWC members free). The poet and novelist talks about his career in literature and drama and his reputation as the ‘Mark Twain of modern Gaelic literature’. Edinburgh Jo Caulfield Presents . . . The Speakeasy Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 8–10pm. £6. See Comedy listings.
Wednesday 12
Glasgow FREE Weegie Wednesdays CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, weegiewednesday.org 7.30pm. Monthly forum offering anyone with a literary interest the chance to get together socially to talk about books and publishing. First timers, please contact the organisers via the website.
Edinburgh ✽The Accelerator The Canons’ Gait, 232 Canongate, 07904 703176. 8.30– 10.30pm. £3–£4. A brand spankin’ new poetry cabaret from the Big Word’s Jem Rolls, with an emphasis on performance poetry and spoken word. Tonight, Tim