EVENTS

2Aberdeen: Scottish poet Sheena Blackhall and writer/performer Annie Inglis present an evening of poems, songs and stories at the Arts Centre, 33 King St; Mon 14, 7.30pm, pounds 3/pounds 2. 01224 635208

2Edinburgh Book Festival: Margaret Forster chooses six favourite books; Sun 13, 5pm, pounds 4/pounds 2.

Harold Bloom joins Frank Kermode, Germaine Greer and Colm Toibin to discuss the idea of a literary canon; Mon 14, 11am, pounds 5/pounds 2.50.

Critic David Daiches and singer Bill McCue present a lecture on Burns, Tue 15, 6.30pm, pounds 4/pounds 2.

Jane Gardam, Barbara Trapido and Alain de Botton read from their work; Wed 16, 5pm, pounds 3.50/pounds 1.75.

Eminent Romantic biographers Richard Holmes and Claire Tomalin read from their work. Thur 17, 11am, pounds 5/pounds 2.50. All the above events take place at the Post Office Theatre. Festival info: 0131 220 3991

2Edinburgh Fringe: poetry readings throughout the Festival will be taking place in the courtyard at the Scottish Poetry Library, Tweedale Court, 14 High St; daily except Sun, starting from Mon 14, 2-3pm, free. Bring poems to read. Preceded by Butoh dancing on Saturdays. 0131 557 2876

The first night of Shaun Beary's play Await the Tide is a tribute to George MacBeth. Proceeds to the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association; Venue 77, Mon 14, 5.15pm, pounds 4/pounds 2.50. 0131 226 5257

2Stratford-on-Avon: Juliet Barker reads from her biography of the Bronte family, just out in paperback, at Waterstone's, 18 The High St; Wed 16, 7pm, free. 01789 414418

2Newcastle: poets Kit Wright and Evangeline Paterson read at Morden Tower, West Walls, Stowell St; Sat 18, 8pm, pounds 2/pounds 1. Info: 0191 477 4430