Books: Events

HAY FESTIVAL: highlights include Toni Morrison, Alison Lurie, Armistead Maupin, Doris Lessing, Peter Carey, Michael Dibdin, Blake Morrison, Richard Dawkins, Hanif Kureshi and Alan Clark. For details of the many events call 01497 821299 or e-mail tickets@litfest.co.uk.

LONDON: `Allen Ginsberg Celebration' with Lawrence Ferlinghetti (see above), Anne Waldman, Adrian Mitchell at St James's, Piccadilly, Sun 17, 7pm, pounds 12.50/pounds 6. 0171 734 45551. Ferlinghetti also talks about City Lights poet Kenneth Patchen at the Tate, Mon 18, 6.30pm, pounds 6/pounds 3. 0171 8878922.

PD James and John Mortimer discuss murder, justice and retribution at the Lyttleton, Royal National Theatre, Mon 18, 6pm, pounds 3.50/pounds 2.50. 0171 452 3000.

Al Alvarez introdues excerpts from Ed McCrorie's new translation of Virgil's The Aeneid at The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton St, Fri 22, 7.30pm, pounds 3/pounds 2. 0171 420 9888.

This year's Orange Prize shortlisted authors - Kirsten Bakis, Pauline Melville, Ann Patchett, Deidre Purcell, Carol Shields, Anita Shreve - read at the Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon St, Mon 18, 7.30pm, pounds 5/pounds 3.50. 0171 388 8822.

BIRMINGHAM: Beryl Bainbridge reads and discusses her latest novel Master Georgie at Waterstone's, 24-26 High St, Wed 20, 6.30pm, pounds 1.50. 0121 633 4353.

MANCHESTER: Toni Morrison reads from her new novel Paradise at the Dancehouse Theatre, Oxford Road, Tue 19, 7pm, pounds 6. 0161 832 1992.