Books, free events

629 events

Sorted by popularity / date & time

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

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:

Booked!

A free, local literature festival run by West Dunbartonshire Libraries that nevertheless manages to book some big name authors for its programme of talks, signings and more unusual events. This 11th edition sees Alasdair Gray, William McIlvanney and Allan Massie join non-fiction writers Margaret Evison, Tom Devine and DA…

West Dunbartonshire

Sun 26 May

Times vary / Free / 01389 608978

Mon 27 May

Times vary / Free / 01389 608978

Tue 28 May

Times vary / Free / 01389 608978

…and 4 more dates until 1 Jun

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
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Leafing through Natural Scotland Exhibition

An exhibition of images and objects connecting books to nature.

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

Sat 25 May

John Hope Gateway Centre

Free / 0131 248 2909

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Sun 26 May

John Hope Gateway Centre

Free / 0131 248 2909

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Mon 27 May

John Hope Gateway Centre

Free / 0131 248 2909

  • 10:00 – 18:00
…and 55 more dates until 21 Jul

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

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 Interdimensional Wizard

Free entry Drop by our Parlour Bar throughout the day, and be Amazed as The Electronic Wizard demonstrates the famous Tesla Coil and other fascinating and fearful gadgetry. Prepare to have your mind charged by these magnificent inventions. Sparks are sure to fly in this astounding performance! Suitable for ages 18+.

Hendrick's Carnival of Knowledge, Hove

Sat 25 May

Free / 01273 917272

Part of Brighton Fringe Festival.

Liverpool And The Battle Of The Atlantic: Talk

TV presenter and historian Dan Snow will lead the discussion to mark the 70th anniversary of the battle.

Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool

Sat 25 May

Lecture Theatre, 4th Floor

Free / 0151 478 4499

  • 14:00

Ashburton Library, Croydon

Tue 28 May

Free / 020 8726 6900

  • 18:30

Tue 25 Jun

Free / 020 8726 6900

  • 18:30

Tue 30 Jul

Free / 020 8726 6900

  • 18:30

East Grinstead Library

Mon 27 May

Free / 01342 410050

  • 17:15 – 18:45

Mon 24 Jun

Free / 01342 410050

  • 17:15 – 18:45

Mon 29 Jul

Free / 01342 410050

  • 17:15 – 18:45

Exeter Central Library

Tue 28 May

Free / 01392 384225

  • 10:30 – 12:00

Tue 4 Jun

Free / 01392 384225

  • 10:30 – 12:00

Tue 11 Jun

Free / 01392 384225

  • 10:30 – 12:00
…and 7 more dates until 30 Jul

Also on at:

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Scribblers

A self-led and informal creative writing group inspired by rooms within the house.

Gateshead Central Library

Fri 31 May

Free / 0191 433 8420

  • 21:30 – 23:30

Fri 7 Jun

Free / 0191 433 8420

  • 21:30 – 23:30

Fri 14 Jun

Free / 0191 433 8420

  • 21:30 – 23:30
…and 6 more dates until 26 Jul

Edinburgh Creative Writers' Club

Creative writers of all stripes – poets, short story scribes, script writers, flash fiction junkies – are invited to discuss all things writing, from procuring an agent to overcoming writer's block.

Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, Edinburgh

Mon 27 May

Free / 0131 229 4444

  • 19:00 – 22:00

Mon 3 Jun

Free / 0131 229 4444

  • 19:00 – 22:00

Mon 10 Jun

Free / 0131 229 4444

  • 19:00 – 22:00
…and 6 more dates until 22 Jul

A Pride of Lions

As the Lions head off to tour Australia, former Scotland internationals John Beattie and Peter Wright talk about life on the rugby team. David Barnes, author of Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British and Irish Lions, also gets in on the conversation.

National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh

Mon 27 May

Free / 0131 623 3918

  • 18:00

Rogue Writers

Informal meet-up and sharing of work for writers, followed by a pint or two, every Sunday.

Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, Edinburgh

Sun 26 May

Free / 0131 229 4444

  • 15:30 – 17:30

Sun 2 Jun

Free / 0131 229 4444

  • 15:30 – 17:30

Sun 9 Jun

Free / 0131 229 4444

  • 15:30 – 17:30
…and 5 more dates until 14 Jul

Cathy Cassidy: Book Signing

The children's author signs copies of her book Coco Caramel, part of her Chocolate Box Girls series aimed at teenagers.

Waterstones, Southampton

Sat 15 Jun

Free / 023 8023 2118

  • 11:00

Waterstones, Bluewater West, Greenhithe

Sat 1 Jun

Free / 01322 624831

  • 14:30 – 16:00
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Darren Shan: Talk

An opportunity to meet one of the biggest names in the book world as he signs copies of ZOM-B Angels.

Waterstones, Newport

Sat 22 Jun

Free / 01983 527927

  • 11:00

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

Roath Library, Cardiff

Mon 27 May

Free / 029 2049 4538

  • 14:00 – 16:00

Tue 28 May

Free / 029 2049 4538

  • 14:00 – 16:00

Thu 30 May

Free / 029 2049 4538

  • 14:00 – 16:00
…and 26 more dates until 30 Jul

Hendrick’s Carnival of Knowledge Bar

One cannot nourish the mind without first nurturing the body. Surprise and delight your taste buds at Hendrick’s Carnival of Knowledge bar, where unusual characters, eye-opening wisdom and exquisite cocktails await the curiously-minded… Join us inside the opulent Angel House, be seated and enjoy luxuriant libations…

Hendrick's Carnival of Knowledge, Hove

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.

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Homework Club

A school homework session.

Canterbury Library

Fri 31 May

Free / 01227 463608

  • 15:30 – 17:00

Fri 7 Jun

Free / 01227 463608

  • 15:30 – 17:00

Fri 14 Jun

Free / 01227 463608

  • 15:30 – 17:00
…and 6 more dates until 26 Jul

Crawley Library

Mon 27 May

Free / 01293 651751

  • 16:00 – 18:00

Thu 30 May

Free / 01293 651751

  • 16:00 – 18:00

Mon 3 Jun

Free / 01293 651751

  • 16:00 – 18:00
…and 15 more dates until 25 Jul

Peckham Library, London SE15

Mon 27 May

Free / 020 7525 2000

  • 16:00 – 18:00

Mon 3 Jun

Free / 020 7525 2000

  • 16:00 – 18:00

Mon 10 Jun

Free / 020 7525 2000

  • 16:00 – 18:00
…and 7 more dates until 29 Jul

Also on at:

Inky Fingers Minifest

A free celebration of spoken word in all its forms: slams, storytelling, open mics, cabarets and a host of other events. The Minifest is organised by Inky Fingers, a grassroots spoken word events series based in Edinburgh.

The Forest Café, Edinburgh

Mon 5 Aug

Times vary / Free / 0131 229 4922

Tue 6 Aug

Times vary / Free / 0131 229 4922

Wed 7 Aug

Times vary / Free / 0131 229 4922

…and 3 more dates until 10 Aug

James Oswald: Natural Causes

The tartan noir writer discusses his debut novel, the first in his Detective Inspector McLean series.

Waterstones, Glasgow

Wed 12 Jun

Free / 0141 248 4814

  • 19:00

Janet Dowling: Book Signing

The local historian and writer signs copies of Surrey Folk Tales, which looks at the area's myths and legends.

Waterstones, Dorking

Sat 25 May

Free / 01306 884911

  • 11:00 – 13:00