BOOKS | Events
5 THINGS . . . FEMINIST ROAD-TRIP BOOKS
Apocalypse Baby is the latest novel by Virginie Despentes, subversive writer and filmmaker of Baise-Moi. It focuses on missing teenager, Valentine, and Lucie, the in- experienced private detective hired to find her. When you’ve finished chasing the pair around Paris, try one of these other feminist road-trips
Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Re- porter, Feminist by Brooke Kroeger A sensational book on an elusive subject, this biography moves almost as fast as Bly’s action-crammed life.
The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai When the mother of precocious 10 year-old Ian enrols him in ‘anti-gay’ classes, his only option is to run away to the library. There he meets with children’s librarian Lucy, and they embark on a spontaneous road trip. But is Ian the only one looking for escape? Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins The cowgirls at the Rubber Rose Ranch are rebelling, and the FBI are clueless – worse still, white- trash goddess Sissy Hankshaw has joined the party. This novel shows that there’s more to cross- USA roadtrips than just Kerouac.
Foreign Parts by Janice Galloway Cassie and Rona are on a driving holiday in Northern France – but this is a Janice Galloway novel, so things are neither rosy nor peachy. As well as a caustic and unflinching examination of dysfunctional relationships, this is also very (though darkly) funny.
The Passion of New Eve by Angela Carter A wild and dangerous ride through gender and sexuality, set in a future USA on the verge of civil war. Like much of Carter’s stories this is lushly-written, apocalyptic, and a little bit smutty. (Kirsty Logan) ■ Apocalypse Baby is published by Serpent’s Tail on Thu 27 Jun.
50 THE LIST 13 Jun–11 Jul 2013
9112. 6pm. The two medical doctors launch NHS SOS: How the NHS Was Betrayed and How We Can Save It. 0212. 7pm. £5 (£3). Tonight’s dose of thought-provoking new verse comes from Don Paterson and Clydebuilters.
Tuesday 25 Monday 1
Edinburgh FREE Poetry for Fearties Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 1.30–3.30pm. Relaxed poetry sharing and workshop session for those who’re a little intimidated by the thought of all things versified. FREE Iain Macwhirter: The Road to Referendum Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. The political columnist presents his new book, a companion to the three-part television series of the same name. Political commentator Gerry Hassan chairs. Booking essential. FREE Marianne Wheelaghan: The Blue Suitcase Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30pm. Wheelaghan discusses her book, based on diaries of her mother, who grew up in Nazi Germany. Sue Reid Sexton and Kusay Hussein Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7–8.30pm. £6 (£3). Scottish writer Reid Sexton and Iraqi writer Hussein talk about their collaborative work, which includes poetry, short stories and three upcoming novellas. Refugee Week Scotland.
Friday 21
Glasgow FREE The Better Crack Club Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, 42 Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. Regular storytelling club for adults. Edinburgh FREE Gerda Stevenson: If This Were Real Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112. 6pm. Stevenson takes a break from acting and directing to launch her first book of poetry.
Glasgow FREE Laydeez Do Comics CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 4.30–7pm. A worldwide graphic novel forum led by women, open to all, with a focus on topics of the domestic and the everyday. This inaugural Scottish edition features Gillian Hatcher, Hattie Kennedy, Nicola Streeten and Sarah Lightman, plus others. Edinburgh FREE Lucy Ellmann and Todd McEwen in Conversation Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30pm. Journalist Lee Randall quizzes the two witty authors on their latest books: Ellmann’s Mimi and McEwan’s The 5 Simple Machines FREE Inky Fingers Open Mic The Forest Café, 141 Lauriston Place, 229 4922. 8–11pm. Open mic for literature and spoken word lovers. Email inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail.com for a chance to perform.
Wednesday 26 Edinburgh FREE The Smeddum Test: 21st Century Poems in Scots National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6pm. The new anthology of Scots language poems contains the work of over 60 poets, with Sheila Templeton and Rab Wilson on hand to read their contributions, plus a word from the project’s editors.
Edinburgh FREE Blackwell’s Book Quiz Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8201. 6pm. Test your literary credentials in teams of up to five members. Please arrive for 5.45pm. Booking essential.
Tuesday 2
Glasgow Perfecting the Page with Alan Bissett CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8pm. £6 (£3; members free). The Death of a Ladies’ Man author leads this three-part workshop in creating a successful piece of writing for publication. Scottish Writers’ Centre presents. Edinburgh FREE Persian Poets Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6.30–7.30pm. Three contemporary Persian poets – Shakila Azizzada, Azita Ghahreman and Reza Mohammadi – read from their works in tandem with their translators, Mimi Khalvati, Maura Dooley and Nick Laird.
Wednesday 3 Glasgow Word Play Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. 8.30pm. £2. Open mic night with acoustic music, poetry and prose, hosted by The Word Factory.
Thursday 4 Glasgow FREE Sara Sheridan in Conversation Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, 248 4814. 7pm. The author talks about her ‘cosy noir’ detective Mirabelle Bevan.
Edinburgh Charles Stross: Neptune’s Brood, Vol 1 Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 6pm. £3 (members £2). The science fiction writer launches his new book. Ruth Ozeki: A Tale for the Time Being Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 229 2902. 6.30pm. £5. The writer, filmmaker and Zen Buddhist priest talks about her latest novel, which follows a bullied teenager growing up in Japan. An Independent Booksellers Week event.
Saturday 6 Edinburgh Michael Pedersen: Play with Me Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7.30pm. £5. The playwright launches his first full-length poetry collection. Kevin Williamson and Gerry Cambridge also perform readings.
Tuesday 9
Edinburgh The School of Poets Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 8–11pm. £2 for taster session; £10 for annual membership. Workshop- type poetry session aiming to encourage and develop writing skills. Remember to bring along 4–5 copies of one of your poems.
Thursday 11 Edinburgh James Oswald: Natural Causes Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 6pm. £3 (members £2). Russel D McLean talks to the tartan noir writer about his debut novel, the first in his Detective Inspector McLean series.
Saturday 22 Thursday 27
Edinburgh FREE Immigration in Song and Story Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 10.30am– 4.30pm. Immigrants to Scotland tell stories about making the country their home in an open mic setting. With musicians Roxana and Peter Vilk. Refugee Week Scotland. FREE Appletree Writers Book Launch Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112. 11.30am. Celebrate the release of the Appletree Writers’ first three books: two anthologies, The Harbour and In on the Tide, and Hannah Lavery’s first short story collection. FREE Martin Stepek: For There Is Hope Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 3pm. The writer reads his new poem about his family journey from a Soviet gulag to Scotland, with comparison to Aleksander Wat’s My Century. Size Is Everything: National Flash Fiction Day Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. £5 (£3). Blind Poetics, Illicit Ink, Inky Fingers and Writers’ Bloc have put aside their differences to come together for National Flash Fiction Day (just kidding they probably all get along just fine). A number of Edinburgh’s finest bring their terse, compact stories to the stage to prove tiny stories can still pack a wallop.
Monday 24
Glasgow Jeffery Deaver: The Kill Room Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, 248 4814. 7pm. £2. The author signs the latest in his Lincoln Rhyme crime series. Edinburgh FREE Poetry for Fearties Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. 6–7.30pm. See Thu 20. FREE Raymond Tallis and Jacky Davis: NHS SOS Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662
Glasgow FREE Rosemary Goring: After Flodden Waterstones, 174 Argyle Street, 248 4814. 7pm. The history writer marks the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden with her latest romance. I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore The Glad Café, 1006a Pollokshaws Road, 636 6119. 7.30pm. £6. Eric Isaacson delves into the archives of Mississippi Records and Alan Lomax and comes back with a filmic, aural storytelling presentation illustrating underground music movements from 1890 to now.
Friday 28
Edinburgh Christian McEwen: Creativity and Slowing Down Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 6.30pm. £7 (£5). The author of World Enough & Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down reads from her book and leads a discussion on creativity. Guid Crack Club Waverley Bar, 1 St Mary’s Street, 557 1050. 7.30–10pm. By donation (£3 suggested). Tonight the storytelling club hosts James Spence, telling country tales about a time when life moved much slower.
Saturday 29 Glasgow NAWE: The Poet’s Compass CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 10am–6pm. £25. A chance for emerging Scottish poets to learn more about getting published and heard through a series of talks, workshops and panel sessions (plus a drinks reception to cap it off!). Keynote is Neil Astley of Bloodaxe Books.
Sunday 30 Edinburgh Shore Poets Henderson’s @ St John’s, St John’s Terrace, 3 Lothian Road, 229