What we’re reading
- Oh good, another pretty picture which won’t solve any of London’s actual problems.
- What happened when 100 cameras were handed out to homeless people in London?
- How London's smog inspired the French impressionists.
- Regent's Park hedgehogs threatened by HS2.
Things to do
POETRY SHOWCASE: Hear words arranged into pleasing sentence structures at this Poetry Society event, which is celebrating 19 years of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award with readings and chat from the award judges. Clore Ballroom, Southbank, free, just turn up, 2pm-3.30pm
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING: In need of a wardrobe update? Browse vintage garments with a free glass of wine in hand and enjoy 20% off your purchase at this cute little boutique. Paper Dress Vintage (Hackney), free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm
CURIOSITY SHOP: Does Halloween costume shopping come before Christmas gift shopping in your house? Then head to Carnaby Street for two weeks worth of spooky happenings, including workshops in floral Day of the Dead inspired headdress making, cocktail potion mixing and perfecting that ghoulish makeup. Free, register ahead, until 31 October
COLLECTED CREATIVE: See a screening of The Composer to mark Black History Month, followed by a celebration of African, Caribbean and diaspora communities through art, painting, music and dance. Peckham Pelican, free, just turn up, 7pm
LOLITICS: Finally, a comedy night where the stand up doesn't spend the first half of the show taking the piss out of the audience. Expect optimism, passion and hopefully a few laughs at this "friendly lefty political" comedy club. The Black Heart (Camden), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm
FEMALE GAZE: A feminist scratch night with a bewitching theme, as part of Girls On Fire: a new season about women gaining, losing, and maintaining power in contemporary society. The Cockpit, £8, book ahead, 7.30pm
BEING A WRITER: Whether you dabble in the odd scrawled half-thought or you've got a hard drive's worth of novel at home, you can hear the writer's tricks of the trade at this book launch with the editors of new illustrated anthology: Being a Writer: Advice, Musings, Essays and Experiences From the World's Greatest Authors. Pages of Hackney, £4, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
NERD NIGHT: Expect quickfire talks on the basis of memory, the history of ampersands, and ‘bad ass feminists of nature’. The Backyard Comedy Club, from £6, Book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
ORWELL READINGS: Hang around London Bridge long enough and you might just stumble across George Orwell's stepson Richard Blair reading extracts from Orwell's books. Check the #LBLiveStation hashtag for more details. Free, just turn up, until 18 October
OOH LA LA: A frisky soufflé of a play from acclaimed French writer Florian Zeller. The Lie presents a portrait of two couples and their extramarital activities. Menier Chocolate Factory, £32.50, book ahead, until 18 November
Good cause of the day: Go vegan for dolphins
Tuck into a lavish three-course vegan fest in aid of Dolphin Freedom UK, which is working to free the creatures from dolphinariums. Black Cat, £20, book ahead, 6pm-9pm
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