Books and reviews See all
JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter manuscript in British Library writing exhibition
The original manuscript of the first Harry Potter novel has gone on show in London for a new exhibition close to the station where the teenage wizard caught the Hogwart’s Express.
Richard Madeley: Top authors at new Hampstead Garden Suburb literary festival
Even seasoned literature buffs will find something to excite at Hampstead Garden Suburb’s newest literary festival, says television presenter Richard Madeley, who lives in the area with his wife Judy Finnigan.
Henriques resting place now tourist spot for guide to Jewish London
The final resting place of one of the great philanthropists to the poor of London’s East End has become a tourist attraction to mark the publication of a book on a Jewish cemetery.
Simon Cowell lifestyle secrets ‘revealed’ in book on X Factor mogul
Simon Cowell undergoes regular colonic irrigation because he believes it gives his eyes an extra sparkle, a new book claims.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is Irish claims Barack Obama historian
Count Dracula, the most famous vampire, was originally Irish rather than Transylvanian according to the family historian who traced Barack Obama’s Irish roots.
New James Bond novel by author William Boyd
A new James Bond adventure will be penned by author William Boyd, who wrote the novel Any Human Heart which was adapted for the silver screen.
Roy Grace author Peter James’ pick of infamous London crime scenes
This is London24's version of CSI - Crime Scenes of Interest. Bestselling crime author Peter James usually deals in fiction but here he has picked five real-life locations to write about.
Sugar Girls reunited at Tate & Lyle book launch and exhibition opening
The air was full of cries of recognition as old friends and co-workers were reunited under the history of the Tate & Lyle sugar refineries at the launch of a new book and exhibition in Canning Town.
Crowds queue for Spitalfields Life—even its secret ‘Gentle Author’
Church bells peeled as the people of Spitalfields in London’s East End turned out for the launch of a unique book about their everyday lives.
All there is in life is in Spitalfields, says East End’s Gentle Author
The story of everyday folk of Spitalfields in London’s East End is published today (Thurs) in a unique book by a secret author who has been collecting nearly 1,000 individual stories so far. The Gentle Author, as the writer is known in East End circles, made a pledge to blog one story every day until 10,000 have been written.
Marvel superhero creator Stan Lee at London comic convention
Best known as creator of the Marvel Universe and superheroes, Stan Lee will be at the ExCeL exhibtion centre for a comic convention this weekend.
Book Review - ‘Family: Life Death and Football’ by Michael Calvin
It is not often writers are given the opportunity which Calvin had to see first hand how a club and team is run.
Charles Dickens 200th anniversary events in London led by Prince Charles
Celebrations are taking place in London today to mark the 200th anniversary of great English writer Charles Dickens’ birth.
Tulisa Contostavlos book deal for X Factor judge to write autobiography and novels
London singer and X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos is set to tell-all in an autobiography later this year.
Crouch End author writes poignant graphic novel about the death of her son
When Nicola Streeten began writing a graphic novel about her grief at losing her two-year-old son, there was one question everyone asked her – was it cathartic?
Read this book before it’s made into a big-screen thriller
SJ Watson’s debut is chilling in print and jangles the nerves
Book Review: ‘Graduation’ by Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee
Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee’s book ‘Graduation’ is a unique book, combining football and how to train your mind to improving you as a person.
Asked a silly question? Crouch End bookseller pens compilation of daft requests
A Crouch End bookseller has compiled a volume of all the weird things her customers say.
Philip Pullman tackles cavalier councils
Recently named one of the 100 most influential people in the book trade, the author has used his notoriety to boost support for local libraries
Book Review: Cry Havoc by Simon Mann
Mercenaries have never had a great press and Simon Mann, executor of the Wonga Coup of March 2004 in Equatorial Guinea, is unlikely to gain much from his autobiography, Cry Havoc, except perhaps some cash denied him by the abject failure of the doomed bid to depose the ruler of that unhappy African nation.
Book review: Just Boris - Sonia Purnell’s juicy biography of Mayor Johnson
Boris, and it normally is just Boris these days, is a figure in British politics who is hard to miss, easily derided and very difficult to pin down.
Julian Barnes win Man Booker Prize for The Sense of Ending
Julian Barnes finally picked up the Man Booker Prize at the fourth attempt for his novel The Sense of an Ending.
Londoner of the Day: Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes
Londoner of the Day goes to Julian Barnes for winning at last the prestigious Man Booker Prize for best work of fiction.
Mitch Winehouse to publish memoirs of Amy
Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch, is to publish a memoir about his late daughter after signing a book deal which will benefit the charity set up in her name.
Book review: Lucky Bunny, Jill Dawson
Queenie (not her real name) is a good old fashioned Diana Dors-style gangster’s moll living the life of Riley on ill-gotten gains.
Book review: The Last Pre-Raphaelite, Fiona MacCarthy
It’s possible to conjecture that, without Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s patronage, many fewer of us would have heard of the pre- Raphaelites, let alone of their most glittering figurehead, Edward Burne-Jones.
Book review: I IS FOR INFLUENCE: The New Science of Persuasion, Rob Yeung
How to Win Friends and Influence People was one of the hugest bestsellers of all- time. Here, psychologist Dr Rob Yeung offers us a 21st-century tool kit so we can use the power of our experience, our language and our physical appearance to get what we really want out of life.
Book review: The House in France, Gully Wells
At a time of the year when we might all be longing for heady summer days in France,this book is the perfect solution – an exquisite memoir of a frustratingly beautiful.
Book review: The Cypress Tree, Kamin Mohammadi
When the Shah of Iran was ousted from his throne in 1979, millions fled the country, including Kamin Mohammadi’s family, who settled in England.
Tony Parsons lands role of writer-in-residence at Heathrow
Novelist and journalist Tony Parsons starts work today as writer-in-residence at Heathrow Airport.
Arts See all
- Blood paintings by Pete Doherty on sale at Cob Gallery
- Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett designs new Absolut limited edition bottle
- Sony World Photography Awards Exhibitions, Somerset House, London
- London 2012: Meera Syal and Julie Walters excited about London 2012 Festival
- London 2012 Festival launch: Stephen Fry and Wallace & Gromit in cultural celebration
Books See all
- JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter manuscript in British Library writing exhibition
- Richard Madeley: Top authors at new Hampstead Garden Suburb literary festival
- Henriques resting place now tourist spot for guide to Jewish London
- Simon Cowell lifestyle secrets ‘revealed’ in book on X Factor mogul
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula is Irish claims Barack Obama historian
Cinema See all
- Sacha Baron Cohen’s dictator Admiral General Aladeen claims he is Prince Harry’s father
- Johnny Depp praises Michelle Pfeiffer and Eva Green at Dark Shadows premiere
- Sundance film and music festival starts at The O2
- Scarlett Johansson, Cobie Smulders and cast at Avengers Assemble premiere
Days Out See all
- Fortnum & Mason to host artisan market
- The Apple Cart Festival returns to Victoria Park over Jubilee weekend with big names in music and comedy
- Stars of BBC talent show The Voice to perform live in London
- London days out for free: Enjoy the capital on the cheap
- London days out inspired by Thames: Guide to top attractions on or near river
Music See all
- One Direction to star at iTunes festival
- London 2012: First BT River of Music tickets to be released
- Clubbing preview: Simian Mobile Disco to launch new album at Fabric this week
- The Apple Cart Festival returns to Victoria Park over Jubilee weekend with big names in music and comedy
- Ballet: Snow White leads the Wicked Queen a fine dance at Sadler’s Wells
Showbiz See all
- Man in Black Will Smith shoots hoops with TeamGB stars
- The Voice future of Jessie J subject of talks amid ratings plunge
- The Voice loser Joelle on X Factor and working with will.i.am
- Future of BGT losers Loveable Rogues confirmed by fan power
- BGT losers Jonathan and Charlotte are ‘new Susan Boyle’ under Simon Cowell
Theatre See all
- Ballet: Snow White leads the Wicked Queen a fine dance at Sadler’s Wells
- Theatre review: The Hound of the Baskervilles at Theatro Technis
- Dance review: Ballet Revolución at the Peacock Theatre
- Theatre review: In the Solitude of Cotton Fields at the Tristan Bates Theatre
- Theatre review: A Streetcar Named Desire by the Scottish Ballet at Sadler’s Wells
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