Dear restaurants, Bring back the physical menus. Nobody wants to be scanning QR codes when they're hungry. Regards: The whole world.

Don't be lonesome tonight; come @CarnegieLib 6.30 for 7pm for a discussion with photographer, author Julia Hawkins of her book On Loneliness, with images of her interviewees who overcame isolation, enjoy solitude or found paths to connection. Free entry: tinyurl.com/3uhd6hka

An evening with Bren Gosling Fri. 3 July 7pm Waterstones, Walthamstow, welcomes Bren Gosling to discuss his novel Street Sweeper - a sensitive treatment of trauma, racism & the search for identity; a tender love story between two very different men waterstones.com/events/an-ev…

#Pride #booklaunch #lgbtq waterstones.com/events/an-ev…

Canada Water Theatre 21 Surrey Quays Road London SE16 7AR

Only one week to our next author event @CarnegieLib. Photographer Julia Hawkins discusses her book of interviews On Loneliness, with images of those who have come to terms, found ways to deal with or overcome isolation & found connection. Free booking: tinyurl.com/3uhd6hka

Thomas Hardy was born #OTD 2 June 1840. If I was sent to a desert island and could only take half a dozen books with me, one of them would be his 'Under The Greenwood Tree', 1872. It's a lovely book, a tale to reread in winter, a vivid tale of rural characters and their relationships, full of humour, but with one of those moral dilemmas for which he would become famous. Most Hardy novels don't have happy endings, but this one does ('Far From the Madding Crowd' is another). Today, Hardy is perhaps more admired for his poetry than his novels. When I was younger I would have enthused about his more depressing novels, especially 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' and 'Jude the Obscure'. Now I'm older, I know I'll never read those books again. Wisely, Hardy gave up writing novels when he reached his fifties, and stuck to poetry.

Not long until our next Open Weekend - book now for guided tours of the mill or a guided local history walk. Our shop and cafe are open too. 👉 buff.ly/0Vcwmq1

Brixton Library Readers, Writers Zine Fair WE'LL BE THERE! Selling our books Talking about our stuff! Sat 13 Jun 12-4.30 Brixton Tate Library Brixton Oval SW2 1JQ Register Info: eventbrite.co.uk/e/readers-a…

New exhibition: TENDERNESS AND RAGE Through photography, film & archival materials explore HIV AIDS stories of protest & care from the 80s&90s UK epidemic to global experiences today From 29 May 2026 at WELLCOME COLLECTION 183 Euston Rd NW1 2BE INFO: wellcomecollection.org/exhib…

Come to Upper Norwood Library today, 23 May, for the Local Author Book Fair, 3-6pm. Emerging & established authors will showcase their work & connect with (& sell direct to) readers. Plus panel discussion on the writer's local lens. 39-41 Westow Hill, London SE19 1TQ.

HOT POT 火锅 by Hongwei Bao @queercomrades123 London Playhouse East 258 Kingsland Rd E8 4DG 16-21 June A queer East Asian story about friendship, love, authenticity, & what remains unsaid. tickettailor.com/events/play…

Three weeks to our next author event @CarnegieLib. Award winning photographer Julia Hawkins discusses her book of interviews, On Loneliness. Learn how to overcome isolation & enjoy solitude. 6.30 for 7-8.30 Tuesday 9 June. Free registration on eventbrite.com/e/19859172268…

Amiable Warriors III: The Best of Enemies LAUNCH GALA Fri 5 Jun 2026 5.30pm @ Canada Water Library Theatre. History of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality Part 3 by Peter Scott-Presland Largest ever UK LGBT organisation for 20 years paradisepress.org.uk/events.…

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

Today would have been Eric Mrecombe's 100th birthday. Large print copy of Eric Morecambe : the biography : life's not Hollywood, it's Cricklewood, by his son Gary is available @CarnegieLib - jolly good read!

Last night, a very engaged & responsive audience loved Sue Hubbard's outline of the life & art of Gwen John & readings of poems evoking that life's moments. Lively Q&A brisk book sales followed. Mark your diaries for our next author event @CarnegieLib Tues 9 June. Details soon.