London Book And Poetry Events: 30 January-5 February 2014

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 122 months ago
London Book And Poetry Events: 30 January-5 February 2014

Author appearances, poetry and spoken word events in London this week

The Putin Mystique by Anna Arutunyan. See left for details

Festivals

The Fairytale Festival continues daily until Saturday 1 February, with reworkings of traditional fairytales - including Little Red Hoodie - performed for a modern audience. £11.25, prebook, 7pm

The Words with Edge Festival continues until Friday 31 January.  Thursday is Theatre Thursday, which sees The Book Club of Little Witherington performed by  The Woodhouse Players, and Edinburgh Fringe comedian Joz Norris's one man show Awkward Prophet. Friday is the festival closing celebration, with open mic night. Free, from 7pm

Thursday 30 January

Author Anna Arutunyan introduces her new novel, The Putin Mystique, at Waterstone's Piccadilly, and will be answering audience questions. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

Crick Crack Club present Downright Rude, an evening of performance storytelling at Rich Mix from Tim Ralphs, Nell Phoenix and TUUP (The Unorthodox, Unprecedented Storyteller), with a theme of "international tales of naughtiness". Not one for the prudish.  £8/£6, prebook, 7pm

Quarterly literary magazine Ambit launch their latest issue in Soho, including readings from poets Martyn Crucefix and Kita Shantiris. £5, just turn up, 7pm

Book Slam presents American fiction writer Jonathan Lethem introducing his new novel, Dissident Gardens, and comedian Dominic Frisby reading from the politically provoking Life after the State. £6/£8, prebook, 7.30pm

Professor of Renaissance Studies Lisa Jardine gives a talk at the Southbank Centre in memory of Shakespeare critic Frank Kermode, discussing how far his idea that Shakespeare is relevant to each generation is relevant today. £10, prebook (we think it's going to be popular), 7.45pm

Stand up poetry evening Bang Said The Gun presents Phil Kay and Sophie Blackwell. £7/£5, just turn up, 8pm

RIP Nordic crime: here come the Poles. Join authors William Brodrick, Mariusz Czubaj, Anya Lipska, and Joanna Jodełka at Belgravia Books. Free, RSVP, 7pm

Friday 31 January

Come Rhyme With Me present their menu of London spoken word performers, consisting of Sarah Perry, Anthony Anaxagorou and Karim Kamar and Bella Spinks, kicked off with an open mic. £12.50, prebook, 7pm

Nutshell magazine host an open mic poetry night, including a reading from poet Ian McLachlan. £5, 7.30pm

Saturday 1 February

Award-winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, is the latest voice of The Serpentine Gallery's Bridge Commission Audio Walks. Free, until 4 February, listen here.

Sunday 2 February

Poet Patience Agbabi and "dub-poet" Linton Kwesi Johnson join forces at the Tricycle Theatre to share the poetry and prose that has inspired them. £16-26, prebook, 6.30pm

Inc Magazine's Poetry Party will celebrate the launch of issue 6 and will have spoken word performances from Salena Godden, Emma Jones, Sam Berkson and more, as well as word games. £5/£4, 7.30pm

Torriano Poetry Meeting House has poetry reading from Jennifer Johnson, Richard Leigh, John Snelling and Murray Shelmerdine. £5/£3, just turn up, 7.30pm

Monday 3 February

Singer songwriter Tracey Thorn in conversation with writer and playwright Damian Barr at Kings Place. £9.50, prebook, 7pm

Exiled Lit Cafe presents the voices of three exiled Iranians through poetry, short stories and film, including the work of human rights activist and poet Esmail Khoi. £4/£2, just turn up, 7.30pm

Coffee-House Poetry host What We Should Have Said, an evening of spoken word performances and talks including poet Sean O'Brien and creative writing lecturer Vona Groarke. £8/£7, just turn up, 8pm

Tuesday 4 February

Author Jessica Hepburn is joined by actress Janet Ellis to launch her new book, The Pursuit of Motherhood, at Waterstones Covent Garden. Free, prebook, 6pm

American graphic novelist Paul Pope talks about his career, current projects, and the creative process at Foyles. Includes drawing demo, answering audience questions and book signings. £6+bf, prebook, 6.15pm

Illustrator Quentin Blake - known for his work in Roald Dahl's book - talks about his work illustrating books, and more recently, public spaces such as hospitals and museums. £20 (talk only), prebook, 7.30pm

Beyond Words presents poets Matthew Caley and Kirstyn Brook reading their latest work, followed by an open mic.  £4/£3, just turn up, 7.30pm

Wednesday 5 February

The Poet is a Boxer looks at the world of boxing through poetry by Gabriele Tinti and S.J. Fowler, as well as film and musical interpretations. Free, prebook, 8pm

Follow @LondonistLit for our pick of that day’s literary events.

Last Updated 28 January 2014