Before 5pm, Books

1,084 events

Sorted by popularity / date & time

Rachel Caine: Author Event

The author discusses and signs copies of her books, including the most recent, Fall of Night.

Waterstones, London NW3

Sun 19 May

Free / 0843 290 8335

  • 13:30

Diana Shaw: Book Signing

The author signs copies of her second Watchman William children's book, Balloon Trouble.

Waterstones, Stockport

Sat 18 May

Free / 0161 474 1455

  • 11:00 – 15:00

Sunday Papers Live

A full day of discussions and performances based on the Sunday papers, with commentators, musicians, actors and poets bringing to life the day's news, section by section. Dress code? Smoking jackets and Sunday best, of course.

Cecil Sharp House, London NW1

Sun 26 May

£20 / 020 7485 2206

This week includes performances from UN insider Mukesh Kapila, journalist and novelist Jon Ronson, fashionista Katherine Hamnett (CBE) and artist Gavin Turk, plus many more.

  • 11:00

Donald Hope Library, London SW19

Tue 21 May

Free / 020 8542 1975

  • 10:30 – 11:30

Tue 28 May

Free / 020 8542 1975

  • 10:30 – 11:30

Tue 4 Jun

Free / 020 8542 1975

  • 10:30 – 11:30
…and 8 more dates until 30 Jul

Plympton Library, Plymouth

Fri 7 Jun

Free / 01752 337867

  • 10:30

Fri 5 Jul

Free / 01752 337867

  • 10:30

Skelmersdale Library

Mon 3 Jun

Free / 01695 720312

  • 14:00 – 15:30

Mon 1 Jul

Free / 01695 720312

  • 14:00 – 15:30

Alan Johnson: Book Signing

The Labour MP and former Home Secretary Alan Johnson signs copies of his memoir, This Boy, which recalls his childhood in London.

Waterstones, Hull

Sat 18 May

Free / 01482 580234

  • 13:00 – 14:00
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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

Children's Storytime

A storytelling session.

Cambridge Central Library

Mon 20 May

Free / 0345 045 5225

  • 10:30 – 11:00

Mon 27 May

Free / 0345 045 5225

  • 10:30 – 11:00

Mon 3 Jun

Free / 0345 045 5225

  • 10:30 – 11:00
…and 8 more dates until 29 Jul

Chelsea Library, London SW3

Fri 24 May

Free / 020 7361 3010

  • 11:00 – 11:30

Fri 31 May

Free / 020 7361 3010

  • 11:00 – 11:30

Fri 7 Jun

Free / 020 7361 3010

  • 11:00 – 11:30
…and 7 more dates until 26 Jul

Dewsbury Library

Wed 22 May

Free / 01924 325 080

  • 10:30 – 11:15

Wed 29 May

Free / 01924 325 080

  • 10:30 – 11:15

Wed 5 Jun

Free / 01924 325 080

  • 10:30 – 11:15
…and 8 more dates until 31 Jul

Also on at:

Kate Mosse: Citadel

Author Kate Mosse discusses her latest adventure novel, Citadel, along with the rest of her Languedoc Trilogy.

Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge

Sat 29 Jun

£12 in advance; £15 on the door / 01206 573948

A Readers' Day event.

  • 09:30

K College, Tonbridge

Fri 5 Jul

Prices to be confirmed

Talk. Part of Tonbridge Arts Festival.

  • 14:00

Leafing through Natural Scotland Exhibition

An exhibition of images and objects connecting books to nature.

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

Sat 18 May

John Hope Gateway Centre

Free / 0131 248 2909

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Sun 19 May

John Hope Gateway Centre

Free / 0131 248 2909

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Mon 20 May

John Hope Gateway Centre

Free / 0131 248 2909

  • 10:00 – 18:00
…and 62 more dates until 21 Jul

Spitalfields Life

The Gentle Author, writer of more than 1000 stories posted online at spitalfieldslife.com and now published in a critically acclaimed book of the same name, tells some tales of artefacts from Spitalfields which carry the story of the place. These include a paper bag from London's oldest Paper Bag Shop, a coin from…

Royal Festival Hall, London SE1

Sat 1 Jun

Level 3 Function Room

£8 Booking: £1.75 (Members £0.00) (£50) / 0844 875 0073

  • 14:00
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Bath Central Library

Tue 21 May

Free / 01225 463362

  • 11:00 – 11:30

Tue 28 May

Free / 01225 463362

  • 11:00 – 11:30

Tue 4 Jun

Free / 01225 463362

  • 11:00 – 11:30
…and 8 more dates until 30 Jul

Bexhill Library, Bexhill-on-Sea

Sat 25 May

Free / 01424 212546

  • 11:00 – 11:30

Sat 1 Jun

Free / 01424 212546

  • 11:00 – 11:30

Sat 8 Jun

Free / 01424 212546

  • 11:00 – 11:30
…and 7 more dates until 27 Jul

The Collection, Lincoln

Thu 23 May

Free / 01522 782040

  • 11:15

Thu 30 May

Free / 01522 782040

  • 11:15

Thu 6 Jun

Free / 01522 782040

  • 11:15
…and 12 more dates until 29 Aug

Also on at:

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

Artist Rooms: Lawrence Weiner

Conceptual text-based work from the New York-based artist, concentrating on the relationship between the artwork and the viewer, and exploring the notion of language as sculpture.

Tate Modern, London SE1

Sat 18 May

Free / 020 7887 8888

  • 10:00 – 22:00

Sun 19 May

Free / 020 7887 8888

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Mon 20 May

Free / 020 7887 8888

  • 10:00 – 18:00
…and 104 more dates until 1 Sep

Book Fair

Purchase a variety of second-hand books.

The Bluecoat, Liverpool

Fri 14 Jun

Free / 0151 702 5324

  • 10:30 – 17:00

Sat 15 Jun

Free / 0151 702 5324

  • 10:30 – 17:00

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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Darren Shan: Zom-B

Shan talks about his (kid-friendly!) zombie apocalypse series.

Harmony Garden, Melrose

Sun 16 Jun

£5 / 0844 357 1060

Ages 12+. Part of Borders Book Festival.

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:

Dumfries PBFA Book Fair

Antiquarian and second hand books maps and prints for sale by dealers from all over the country. Organised by Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association

Assembly Rooms, Dumfries

Sat 18 May

£1 / 01848 200469

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Hendrick’s Carnival of Knowledge

If knowledge is the food of the soul, then let us FEAST! This travelling parlour of enlightenment combines exceptional experts & erudite amateurs in a fiesta of learning & fine cocktails. Prepare to be delighted by unusual characters, exquisite libations and wisdom of the most eye-opening variety in the decadent…

Hendrick's Carnival of Knowledge, Hove

Fri 24 May

Free / 01273 917272

Part of Brighton Fringe Festival.

Sat 25 May

Free / 01273 917272

Part of Brighton Fringe Festival.

Sun 26 May

Free / 01273 917272

Part of Brighton Fringe Festival.

Mon 27 May

Free / 01273 917272

Part of Brighton Fringe Festival.

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
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Humphrey Ocean And The Contemporary Portrait: Talk

Emma Enderby takes a closer look at Humphrey Ocean's portraits and discusses them in the context of contemporary portraiture.

National Portrait Gallery, London WC2H

Sun 19 May

Free / 020 7312 2463

  • 15:00 – 15:30

Jonathan Agnew: Book Signing

The cricket broadcaster and former professional cricketer signs copies of his new book, Cricket: A Modern Anthology.

Waterstones, Leadenhall Market, London EC3V

Wed 3 Jul

Free / 020 7220 7882

  • 12:30

Kai Roberts: Book Signing

The Yorkshire-based author, known for his previous work Haunted Huddersfield, signs copies of his new book, Folklore Of Yorkshire.

Waterstones, Huddersfield

Sat 25 May

Free / 01484 430701

  • 11:00 – 14:00

Kaleidescape

Singer-songwriter Tony Kehoe hosts an open floor of music, poetry and performance.

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool

Sun 26 May

Free / 0151 478 4199

  • 13:00 – 16:00