Before 5pm, Books

1,044 events

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Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee: Book Signing

The Olympic medal-winning triathletes will discuss their success and sign copies of their joint autobiography, Swim, Bike, Run.

Waterstones, Leeds

Tue 4 Jun

Free / 0113 244 4588

  • 17:00

Waterstones, Leadenhall Market, London EC3V

Mon 3 Jun

Free / 020 7220 7882

  • 12:30

Burns an' a' That! Festival

A whole festival dedicated to Scotland’s internationally acclaimed poet Robert Burns. To celebrate the 2013 Year of Natural Scotland, the festival heads outdoors to Belleisle Park for a programme of live music, and visual and performing arts.

Belleisle Park, Ayr

Fri 24 May

Prices vary / 01292 616143

  • 12:00 – 17:30

Fri 31 May

Prices vary / 01292 616143

  • 12:00 – 17:30

Fri 7 Jun

Prices vary / 01292 616143

  • 12:00 – 17:30
…and 12 more dates until 30 Aug

Dawn O'Porter: Book Signing

Dawn O'Porter signs copies of her new book, Paper Aeroplanes.

Waterstones, Nottingham

Thu 30 May

Free / 0843 290 8525

  • 11:00

Waterstones, Cardiff

Thu 30 May

Free / 029 2066 5606

  • 17:00

Waterstones, Manchester

Wed 29 May

Free / 0161 832 8563

  • 16:00

Also on at:

Against the Dark

Regular role-playing night.

Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, Edinburgh

Sun 26 May

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444

  • 14:00 – 17:00

Sun 2 Jun

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444

  • 14:00 – 17:00

Sun 9 Jun

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444

  • 14:00 – 17:00
…and 3 more dates until 30 Jun

Chris Skidmore: Bosworth

Tudor historian, author and MP Chris Skidmore discuss and signs copies of his new publication, Bosworth.

Manor Farm, Ebbesbourne Wake

Sat 29 Jun

Included in admission

  • 10:00 – 11:00

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Sat 15 Jun

£9.50 (includes tea and cake) / 01926 776438

Part of Warwick Words.

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Brief Encounter: Powder And Pompadour: A Sevres Porcelain Toilet Service: Talk

Art historian and museum curator Julia Weston-Davis will discuss the collections and art work houses in the famous London museum.

Wallace Collection, London W1U

Wed 22 May

Free / 020 7563 9500

  • 13:00 – 13:20

Rebecca Solnit: The Faraway Nearby

The author reads from and discusses her memoir, which takes three boxes of apricots as a jumping off point for century-spanning reminiscences.

Royal Festival Hall, London SE1

Sat 1 Jun

£10 Booking: £1.75 (Members £0.00) (£50) / 0844 875 0073

Derek Landy: Author Event

The author will be talking about his work, including his latest book 'The Maleficent Seven', followed by a book signing.

Waterstones, York

Sat 15 Jun

Free / 01904 628740

  • 11:00

The History Of Knitting: From Knitting Shepherds To Purling Celebrities! By Karen Cochra: Talk

Karen Cochrane offers an illustrated look at the origins of knitting and how the styles have changed through the ages and around the world.

Harrow Museum & Heritage Centre

Tue 16 Jul

£3 / 020 8861 2626

  • 14:00

Lobey Dosser Day

A celebration of the life and good times of Bud Neill, cartoonist poet and boulevardier sans pareil. There will be a free purvey, (some) free booze and free love.

Lobey's Statue, Glasgow

Sat 15 Jun

Free

Part of West End Festival.

  • 13:00
  • 14:30
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Antonia Fraser: Perilous Question

The historian discusses her book Perilous Question: Reform Or Revolution? Britain On The Brink, 1832, which looks at the passing of the Great Reform Bill.

Brighton Dome

Sat 25 May

£14 / 01273 709709

In conversation with Tristram Hunt. Part of Charleston Festival.

  • 14:30

Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton

Fri 19 Jul

£8.50 / 0845 127 2190

In conversation with Dame Janet Smith. Part of Buxton Festival.

Venue TBC: Beaminster

Wed 3 Jul

Prices to be confirmed

Part of Beaminster Festival.

  • 14:30

Conn Iggulden: Book Signing

The historical fiction author signs copies of the fifth novel in his Emperor series, Emperor: The Blood Of Gods.

Waterstones, Leadenhall Market, London EC3V

Thu 23 May

Free / 020 7220 7882

  • 12:30

Kevin Price: Book Signing

The author signs copies of the book, Fun And Games At The Zoo.

Waterstones, Norwich

Sat 15 Jun

Free / 01603 767292

  • 11:00 – 13:00

The King's Shilling

A talk by costumed character Master Gunner Gates.

Elizabeth Castle, Jersey

Sun 26 May

Phone for prices / 01534 6333376

  • 10:00 – 16:00

Sun 2 Jun

Phone for prices / 01534 6333376

  • 10:00 – 16:00

Sun 9 Jun

Phone for prices / 01534 6333376

  • 10:00 – 16:00
…and 3 more dates until 30 Jun

Nick Cope's Songbook

A story session celebrating Nick's birthday.

The Story Museum, Oxford

Sat 8 Jun

£3 (Children £5) / 01865 790050

  • 10:30 – 11:30
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The Affordable Art Fair

More than 100 galleries showcase original paintings, prints, sculpture and photography costing between £40 and £4000, plus talks, workshops and children's activities.

Lower Fairground Site, London NW3

Thu 13 Jun

£10–£20 (£8–£13)

  • 11:00 – 21:30

Fri 14 Jun

£10–£20 (£8–£13)

  • 11:00 – 18:00

Sat 15 Jun

£10–£20 (£8–£13)

  • 11:00 – 18:00

Sun 16 Jun

£10–£20 (£8–£13)

  • 11:00 – 18:00

Andrew Kerr: Explore Stockbridge

The historian delves into the archive to share photographs, maps and memories of the area, and then leads a walking tour of Stockbridge the following Saturday.

Stockbridge Library, Edinburgh

Sat 25 May

Free / 0131 529 5665

Today, Kerr leads a walking tour. Meet at the corner of Saunders St and Bridge.

  • 11:00 – 12:00

Ann Widdecombe: Strictly Ann

The former politician, who joined the old Conservative party in 1964, is out in and about in support of her new autobiography.

Althorp, Northampton

Thu 13 Jun

Entrance with festival pass / 01604 770107

Part of Althorp Literary Festival.

  • 14:00

Dartington Hall, Totnes

Mon 8 Jul

Prices to be confirmed / 01803 847147

Part of Ways With Words Festival.

  • 14:30

Fortnum & Mason St. James's Restaurant, London W1J

Mon 10 Jun

£75 (includes two course lunch and wine) / 08456025694

In conversation in support of the Wellbeing of Woman Charity.

  • 12:30

Also on at:

The Art Of Mishkin-Qalam: 19th–20th-Century Calligraphies: Talk

A gallery talk by Ladan Akbarnia, British Museum.

British Museum, London WC1B

Fri 24 May

Room 34

Free / 020 7323 8299

  • 13:15 – 14:00

Bagpipes, Beasties and Bogles with Tim Archbold

After taking a look at the characters from his book Bagpipes, Beasties and Bogles, the children's author and illustrator leads a session of storytelling and drawing. Ages 5–8.

Harmony Garden, Melrose

Sun 16 Jun

£5 / 0844 357 1060

Part of Borders Book Festival.

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Benjamin Robert Haydon: The Triumphs And The Tragedies: Lecture

Alan Read, lecturer for the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies, Tate and Dulwich Picture Gallery, presents a talk on the life of Plymouth-born historical painter Benjamin Robert Haydon.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum And Art Gallery, Exeter

Wed 5 Jun

RAMM Meeting Room

£4.50 (£3) / 01392 665858

  • 13:00 – 14:00

Corey Taylor: Book Signing

The author signs copies of his book A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven.

Waterstones, London W1D

Mon 17 Jun

Free / 0843 290 8539

  • 12:00

Darren Shan: Book Signing

The Limerick-based author signs copies of fantasy series, Zom-B.

Waterstones, Swansea

Sun 23 Jun

Free / 01792 463567

  • 12:00 – 14:00

Waterstones, Cardiff

Sat 22 Jun

Free / 029 2066 5606

  • 14:00

Dawn O'Porter: Paper Aeroplanes

The television presenter and author signs copies of her new novel, a coming-of-age story wrapped up in small-town life, drawn from her own childhood growing up in Guernsey.

Waterstones, Glasgow

Tue 28 May

Free / 0141 332 9105

  • 16:00

Deborah Morgan: Book Signing

The author and teacher of creative writing signs copies of her novel Disappearing Home, set in the 1970s and told through the eyes of a young girl.

Waterstones, Liverpool

Sat 6 Jul

Free / 0151 708 6861

  • 13:00

Waterstones Liverpool One

Sat 1 Jun

Free / 0151 709 9820

  • 13:00
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