Magical storytelling with London Dreamtime.
Thursday 21 August
UNDERSTANDING SHAKESPEARE: St James Studio near Victoria has a Shakespeare masterclass with Giles Taylor. More for thespians than casual readers, you’re advised to bring a 12-15 line piece of Shakespearean verse so you can then learn to speak with clarity and ease. Don’t fancy getting that involved? Observers can go along too and take part in the Q&A. £40 for participants/ £15 for observers, prebook, 10.30am-4pm
WILFRED OWEN: As part of the BBC Proms, poets Michael Longley and Fred D’Aguiar will discuss war poet Wilfred Owen’s work, which inspired Britten’s War Requiem. Takes place at the Royal College of Music. Free, just turn up, 5.45pm
NEW NOVEL: Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs crime novel series has written a new stand-alone novel set during World War 1. She will be at Swiss Cottage Library to talk about it tonight. £5, prebook, 6pm
TAMING OF THE HAWK: Head to Waterstone’s Richmond for a evening with Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk. It’s the story of her real life experiences taming a goshawk after the death of her father. £3, prebook, 7pm (See also, Wednesday 27 August)
Friday 22 August
ICELANDIC NOVELS: BBC journalist and expert on the Norse sagas Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough joins novelist Joanna Kavenna to discuss Icelandic culture at the BBC Proms Free, just turn up, 5.45pm
MAGICAL STORYTELLING: Hear supernatural tales of ships, waters and the beautiful Others on The Faeries of the Mines walk. London Dreamtime’s storyteller Vanessa Woolf and musician Nigel of Bermondsey lead a night-time storytelling expedition in a slightly muddy location near Deptford Creek. Location revealed on booking. £2 suggested donation, prebook, 8pm
Saturday 23 August
CHARLES DICKENS: The Charles Dickens Museum near Holborn hosts An Evening With Miriam And Michael. Actress Miriam Margolyes is in conversation with world leading Dickens academic Professor Michael Slater about the author and women. There’s also a guided tour of the museum. £30, prebook, 6.3opm
Sunday 24 August
PUFFIN CLASSICS: Today is the last day of the Puffin Book Summer Exhibition at Waterstone’s Piccadilly. see first editions, original letters and artwork from much-loved children’s authors such as Mary Norton and Michelle Magorian Free, just turn up, all day
Monday 25 August
POETRY WALK: Keats House hosts one of the regular Keats in Hampstead walking tours today. Explore places related to the poet’s life, accompanied by readings of his poetry. These walks always sell out quickly, so book well in advance. £8/£6, prebook, 11am
MICHAEL MORPURGO: The well-known author appears at Kings Place alongside musicians including an acapella trio for an evening of poetry and music marking the centenary of the First World War. £9.50-£12.50, prebook, 6.30pm
Tuesday 26 August
HARUKI MURAKAMI: Following the release of his much-hyped new novel, Haruki Murakami’s book is being discussed at The Japan Foundation. Particular focus on the connections and meanings between colours and characters. Free, prebook, 6.3opm
Wednesday 27 August
LYDIA DAVIS: In a rare public appearance, author Lydia Davis is at London Review Bookshop in Holborn to read from and discuss her work. £10, prebook, 7pm
TAMING OF THE HAWK: Head to Waterstone’s Hampstead for a evening with Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk. It’s the story of her real life experiences taming a goshawk after the death of her father. £5/£3, prebook, 7pm (See also, Thursday 21 August)
RHIDIAN BROOK: Waterstone’s Richmond has an evening with author Rhidian Brook, who will be discussing his best-selling novel, The Aftermath, a thriller set in a post-war Germany. £3, prebook, 7pm
HOMEWORK: The monthly literary cabaret at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. This time, the writers will have prepared something linked to the theme of obituary-writing. £8, just turn up, 7.30pm
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Book ahead for your chance to see Stephen Fry, historian Dan Cruickshank, author John Sutherland and more at the Soho Literary Festival, which takes place 24- 28 September.
Follow @LondonistLit for our pick of that day’s literary events.