Books: EVENTS

LONDON: Jay McInerney (below) reads from his new novel Model Behaviour at the Pit Theatre, Barbican Centre, Wed 5, 7.45pm, pounds 6/pounds 4.50. 0171 6388891. The following night he's at Waterstone's, 68 Hampstead High Street, Thur 6, 7pm, pounds 2. 0171 7941098.

Tour the National Portrait Gallery with a lecturer looking at their "Literary Portraits". Assemble outside the Lecture Room on the first floor, Fri 7, 2.30pm, free. 0171 3060055.

Horror writer Christopher Fowler reads from his novels and short stories at Filthy Mac Nasty's Bar & Whisky Cafe, 68 Amwell Street, Wed 5, 8.30pm, free. 0171 6092543.

Also at Filthy Mac Nasty's, poet Paul Lyalls reads from his work, Thur 6, 8.30pm, free.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS: travel writer John Hare talks about his latest book The Lost Camels of Tartary set in the Chinese and Mongolian Gobi deserts at Waterstone's, 32-40 Calverley Road, Wed 5, 7pm, free. 01892 535446.

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON: Helen Schlesinger and Philip Voss explore aspects of love through the work of diverse poets - John Donne, Lord Byron and Dorothy Parker - at the Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Sun 2, 8pm, pounds 7.50/pounds 5.50. 01789 292176.

CANTERBURY: Rory McLean reads from his new travelogue Under the Dragon: Travels in a Betrayed Land at Waterstone's, 20-21 St Margaret's Street, Tue 4, 7pm, pounds 2. 01227 456343.

FIFE: poets Stewart Conn and Brian Johnstone read from their work, accompanied by traditional music from Vickie Hobson and Rebecca Rowe, in St Fillan's Cave, Cove Wynd, Pittenweem, Sun 2, 12.30pm, free. 01333 311947.