BOOKS list.co.uk/books
MY LIFE IN POETRY (& PERFUME) Custom-scented verse
W hat does poetry smell like? Would a rose by any other name smell . . . well, let’s save the rest for Alex Musgrave AKA perfume blogger the Silver Fox, as well as a poet, novelist and business manager at the Edinburgh branch of perfumery store, Penhaligon’s. For his special one-off event at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, Musgrave has selected a perfume to go along with each of his favourite poems.
He’s in good company, too: previous speakers at the Scottish Poetry Library’s My Life in Poetry series include Janice Galloway, Jackie Kay, Simon Armitage, Alexander McCall Smith, AL Kennedy and Louis de Bernières. ‘Scent in a poem can really
activate the reader’s emotions and memory,’ says JL Williams, programme manager at the SPL, ‘and the language of poetry is really useful when trying to conjure scent.’ Whether this inspires you to create your own poetry or your own perfume, you’ll be in the right place; as well as readings and scentings, you can also explore a display of plants used in perfumery, curated by RGBE. If you were worried about neglecting your ears or your tongue, then don’t: there’s also live music and free wine. Something for all your senses. (Kirsty Logan)
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Thu 30 May.
HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
✽ Inky Fingers Presents WE ARE POETS For one night only, a showing of this documentary following six teenagers preparing for the world’s most prestigious poetry slam. The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, Tue 28 May.
✽ Margins Mini-fest Highlights include words from Christopher Brookmyre and
music from RM Hubbert. Enjoy the Friday night party: Saturday includes all-day events for children, so you can indulge your hangover in peace. Woodend Barn, Banchory, Fri 31 May– Sat 1 June.
✽ Rally & Broad Our favourite spoken word cabaret has a particularly fine line-up this month, with poetry from Caroline Bird, stories from Sophie Cooke and soulful tunes from Lake Montgomery and Lou Hickey. Counting House, Edinburgh, Fri 17 May.
✽ Jenny Mayhew: A Wolf in Hindelheim
Quirky and atmospheric, this 1920s-set thriller is not to be missed. See review, page 54. Blackwell’s, Edinburgh, Thu 16 May.
✽ Boswell Book Festival If you
prefer truth to fiction, the world’s only biography festival will sort you right out. The festival may be small, but it’s perfectly formed, with events covering famous journeys to political commentary to anecdotes of lives well-lived. Make a proper weekend of it and camp out in a Mongolian Yurt (wellies recommended). Auchinleck House, Kilmarnock, Fri 17–Sun 19 May.
16 May–13 Jun 2013 THE LIST 53