The Londonist Literary List appears every Tuesday. If you’d like to bring an event to our attention, please email [email protected].
The late summer/early fall book publishing frenzy seems to be finally dying down, and the announcement of the Booker Prize winner yesterday is appearing to serve as its exclamation point. Yes, if the list of "Forthcoming Titles" on Blackwell's website is any indication, we're not going to have nearly as much new stuff to choose from in the coming months (For as long as we can remember, which is about July, there have been anywhere from 1000 to 1200+ new works of fiction to look forward to. This week there are a measly 800.) On the other hand, we doubt that any of you have read John Banville's (pictured) The Sea — which took home the biggest prize in British fiction last night, so you'll have time now to get to it.
Events Around London:
Tonight, Spanish writer Rafael Reig will launch his new novel, Blood on the Saddle, as well as discuss the current state of Spanish literature. Cervantes Institute, 102 Eaton Square. 6:30pm. FREE.
On Thursday (the 13th), it'll cost you a pretty penny — or more specifically, £12 — for the honor of hearing renowned foreign correspondent Robert Fisk discuss his new book, titled The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East. And then you'll even be allowed to ask him some questions. Institue of Education's Logan Hall, 20 Bedford Way. 7pm (doors at 6:30).
Also on Thursday, AC Grayling discusses his new book, Descartes: The Life of Rene Descartes and its Place in His Times, at the Waterstone's in Hampstead. 68-69 Hampstead High Street. 7pm. £3.
On Friday (the 14th), comedian Ricky Gervais makes an appearance at the Waterstone's in Picadilly to present and sign his latest book, More Flanimals. 203/206 Picadilly. 5:30pm. FREE.
New Releases:
Growing Into War, by Michael Gill
Cinnamon Kiss, by Walter Mosely
Time and Fate, by Lance Price
The Bowl is Already Broken, by Mary Kay Zuravleff
Other News:
The Booker Committee surprised everyone last night by awarding the 2005 prize to John Banville for The Sea, beating out heavy favourite Kazuo Ishiguro, as well as Zadie Smith, Julian Barnes, Ali Smith, and Sebastian Barry.
