Looking at the week ahead in literary London
Tuesday: Lovers of books and wine might be tempted to the Big Green Bookshop in Wood Green for 7pm to hear Francis Gimblett read from his new book "In and Out of Africa... in Search of Gerard Depardieu". To complement Francis's journey to North Africa the event will kick off with a tasting session of wines from Morocco and Algeria. The evening's free (but if you want to make a contribution to the cost of the booze you'll probably get a hug). If your tastes run to food rather than drink, how about hearing Sunday Telegraph food writer Bee Wilson give the annual Persephone Lecture? (Artworkers Guild, Queens Square, 6pm, £20.)
Alternatively, Blackheath Village library plays host to the launch of "Crossing the Line", a collection of work by a local creative writing group. There'll be nibbles and you can buy the book for a discounted three quid (admission free, 7-8.30pm). And if none of that suits, you're far too picky and should be pleased by wordPLAY at Kilburn's Good Ship: a mix of poetry, short stories and acoustic music (doors 7pm for 8pm start, £4.50 / £3.50).
Wednesday: Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan is signing copies of his autobiography at Waterstones Canary Wharf (Jubilee Place) at lunchtime. If you feel like something a bit more substantial after that, head to Housmans in Kings Cross for Simon Pirani launching his new book about power and money in Russia since the presidency of Vladimir Putin. (7-8.30pm)
Thursday: "Tottenham, a History" by Christine Protz has its official launch at Wood Green Central Library at 7.30pm. This is the only available history of the area, so if you've got any questions about how Tottenham came to be, Christine is the person to ask.
Waterstones Goodge Street are holding their Christmas signing extravaganza between 5-8pm; Alain de Botton, Simon Callow, Kate Mosse, Robin Ince and Ariane Sherine are just a few of the authors who'll be present.
Friday: At 2pm, two new poems will be unveiled around the base of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, celebrating Oslo's annual gift to our fair city. According to the Poetry Society (who organised the thing, along with the Royal Norweigan Embassy), the poem 'Tree Song' by Kit Wright is based on lines, images and ideas from the poems of children from Westminster primary schools, while 'Snow and Spruce Forest' is a new version by Kevin Crossley-Holland after the famous (their description) Norwegian poem 'Sno og granskog' by Tarjei Vesaas. After that, you could head down to the Poetry Cafe to warm up with Italian snacks and drinks and watch artist Judith Dean's installation slide-show documenting Roman poets' invasion of London (8-10pm, admission free).
Saturday: Former NME writer Chris Salewicz is at the Bookseller Crow on the Hill in Crystal Palace at 5pm, talking about his book "Bob Marley: The Untold Story". He'll also be playing some of Bob's rareties, so be ready to get your groove on.
We're betting on there being a lot of costume homage during Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt's signing at Piccadilly Waterstones (1pm). Just a hunch.
Sunday: They're very busy at the Big Green Bookshop; this is their third event of the week! This time it's the launch party of new comic The Zoom, straight from the mind of local artist Zoom Rockman. You can get a badge, a voucher for an extra chip in one of Wood Green's fish and chip emporia and the chance to buy the comic for the knock-down price of 99p. (5.30pm start.)
Monday: Andrew Marr is talking about his hit book, "The Making of Modern Britain" at Kings Place (7pm, £9.50). Get the journalist's take on the first half of the twentieth century; and since the book will probably on a number of parental Christmas lists this year, why not take this opportunity to get it signed as well?
