The Book Grocer

Dean Nicholas
By Dean Nicholas Last edited 188 months ago
The Book Grocer
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Like a nuclear family loading up the Datsun at an out-of-town supermarket, the Book Grocer is filling most of its basket on just a single day this week. Thursday's the one to look out for, with a wealth of treats helping you to reach that government-mandated five-a-day fruit & veg quotient, with a few carbs scattered around the rest of the week. And with that mouthful of a metaphor masticated, let's crack on.

Wednesday: Further evidence of the rude health that London's small print scene is in comes in the form of Pen Pusher magazine, which releases its tenth issue this week. To celebrate, they're holding a little soiree at the Betsey Trotwood in Clerkenwell from 7pm. It's free, but they'd like it awfully it you could RSVP here in advance to let them know you'll be popping your head round the door.

Thursday: Poor James Frey. One minute his warts 'n all memoir A Million Little Pieces has made him the darling of countless book clubs across the country, the next, he's being chided by Oprah having "embellished" (ie, made up) some of the notorious events in said memoir. Still, dude's follow-up books haven't been short of readers, so our sympathy is in limited supply. The writer is in town today at Book Slam, chatting about "the miserable paucity of cultural life". Honestly, if he just read Londonist regularly he'd know about countless cool things going on. Tickets are £6, and the event, at No.12 Acklam Road, W10, begins at 8pm, though doors are open from 6.30 if you want to mill around and sneer in Mr. Frey's general direction.

Thursday cont. Don't fancy that? Then try out a man whose life was a genuinely wild one. Julian Maclaren-Ross, "Soho dandy and bohemian icon" whose meanderings are compared to those of Hemingway and Rimbaud, will be "dramatised" at the Waterstones on Gower Street. It's all to promote the publication of his correspondence. The event is free, although it is ticketed, so it might be wise to call 020 7636 1577 to reserve your place.

And finally on this healthy-eating day, a shuffle up to the Liberties bar in Camden and the handing over of £7.50 will result in you being granted entry to Feeling a Little Under the Weather, in which Will Stopha will explore the "loneliness of technology" via the media of comedy, poetry and film. Wait a second, the loneliness of technology? Now, we may be a blog and hence somewhat biased, but honestly, our social life has been helped immeasurably by the internet! We wouldn't be able to tell the good burghers of London-town about all these fun things were it not for technology. Anyway, a debate for another time, perhaps. It's part of the man's pre-Edinburgh swing through the Camden Fringe, and begins at 10.15pm.

Saturday graphic novels may increasingly be the grist that mills the ever-hackneyed imaginations of Hollywood, but while American superheroes are treated to the big-screen big up British ones are generally ignored. Tonight two homegrown doyens of the craft are in conversation at the ICA: Raymond Briggs, best known for The Snowman and When The Wind Blows, and Bryan Talbot, of Alice In Sunderland. The talk will be chaired by Observer scribe Rachel Cook, costs £10 (£9 concessions) and begins at 3.30.

Image from TikiChris' Flickrstream

Last Updated 28 July 2008