We're starting to feel a little peeved that every week we have to bow down to Edinburgh, this being the LONDONIST Literary List and all, and not an Ode to Cities to the North. But what can a column do, when it is not only London-centric, but Literary-centric as well, and all the literary stuff is in Edinburgh? But alas, there’s only a week to go, and it seems to be winding down a bit at the big festival way up there. Literary people must be trickling back down to London because — we are thrilled to report — there are ACTUALLY THINGS TO DO IN LONDON THIS WEEK!
But we’ll get the Edinburgh bit out of the way first:
Highlights include Kate Mosse (the founder of the Orange Prize, not the supermodel), Chocolat author Joanne Harris talking about her forthcoming novel on Thursday, Edmund White talking about his memoir on Friday, political theorist Timothy Garton Ash on Saturday (morning), Sebastian Faulks, also on Saturday morning, Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie at separate events on Saturday afternoon, Timothy Garton Ashe again on Saturday evening, Margaret Atwood again on Sunday, Zadie Smith and Nick Laird at separate events on Sunday evening, and George Galloway on Monday.
Look! There are things Around London This Week As Well (screw Edinburgh):
Tonight (the 23rd):
John Irving (pictured) reads from his new novel, Until I Find You, at Congress Hall in Great Russell Street. Entrance is £7 and the event begins at 7pm.
Wednesday:
Edmund White reads from his new autobiography at the Vanbrugh Theatre in Malet Street. Tickets cost £6 and the event starts at 7pm.
Thursday:
Book Slam at Cherry Jam, London’s hippest literary event. This month’s reading features novelist Maggie Gee, shortMan, Anjan Saha, and Dr Horatio Hawkins. £2 before 8pm, £5 after. Readings start at 8:30pm.
Prado and Fresan at Foyle’s
Saturday:
For all you sci-fi freaks, the Wembley Center is hosting the Fellowship Festival — “a gathering for JRR Tolkien fans.” Sounds like a hoot. Because you know there’s nothing in the world cooler than Tolkien fans. Through Monday.
New Releases:
Sebastian Faulks' new novel, Human Traces, comes out on Monday.
But we have to say, it's impossible not to look forward to next week, when three of the biggest names in British literature will be releasing new novels within days of each other.
Other News:
Londonist wants to give literary journals based in London a little face time. If you work for a lit journal or are a fan of one, please contact us at [email protected].
On to next week, when there will be absolutely nothing happening in Scotland!
