events

BRADFORD: Red Dwarf star Robert Llewellyn reads from his first novel The Man on Platform 5 at Waterstone's, The Wool Exchange on Wed 16, 7pm, pounds 1.50. 01274 723127

Sebastian Faulks will read from Charlotte Grey, his first novel since Birdsong at Waterstone's, The Wool Exchange on Thu 17, 7pm, pounds 1.50. 01274 723127

BRIGHTON: Do Tongues presents cultural critic Kodwo Eshun reading from his new book on future music More Brilliant Than the Sun and Steve Beard reading his new chemical fiction novella Perfumed Head at The Zap, Old Ship Beach, Today, 7.30pm, pounds 5/pounds 3.50. 01273 231544

CANTERBURY: The Dalai Lama's intepreter and ex-genetic scientist Mattieu Ricard reads from his new book The Monk and the Philosopher, a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, at Waterstone's 20-21 Margaret's Street, Today, 5.30pm, pounds 2. 01227 456343

Mountaineering legend Joe Simpson discusses his new book Dark Shadows Falling at Waterstone's 20-21 Margaret's Street, Wed 16, 5.30pm, pounds 2. 01227 456343

GRAYSHOT & HINDHEAD LITERARY FESTIVAL: returns for its third year, with Roger McGough, Deborah Moggach, James Follett and many others. Sat 19 - Sun 20, pounds 12/pounds 10 per day, pounds 22/pounds 18 for both days.01428 604060 (tickets) 01428 606689 (enquiries)

LONDON: Selima Hill launches Cats Night Out, a new season of women's poetry at the Poetry Place, Wed 16, 8pm, pounds 4/pounds 3. 0171 240 4810

Lectures at the National Portrait Gallery this week include Brian Louis Pearce on Algernon Charles Swinburne, Thu 17, 1.10pm, and Toba Mann and Colin Pinney reading from the works of Elizabeth Barrett and Robet Browning, Sun 20, 1.10pm. Both events free, 0171 312 2463

Alan Clark will be discussing his new book The Tories: Consevatives and the Nation State 1922-1997 at Logan Hall, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, WC1 on Wed 16, 7.30pm, pounds 10/pounds 7.50

Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan read from their new novels England, England and Amsterdam respectively, at Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, Thornhaugh Street, WC1, Tues 15, 7pm, pounds 5/pounds 3.50. 0171 467 1613

MANCHESTER: Whitbread First Novel award winner Gordon Burn discusses his new book on Fred West Happy Like Murderers at Waterstone's 91 Deansgate on Mon 14, 7pm, pounds 3. 0161 832 1992

Simon Armitage reads from his new poetry collection All Points North at the travel desk at Waterstone's 91 Deansgate on Tue 15, 7pm, pounds 3. 0161 832 1992