Salisbury Arts Festival, May 26-June 9 Authors including John Major and Claire Tomalin speak at venues across the city (0845 2419651; salisburyfestival.co.uk).

Thick Richard, May 29 A band using spoken word and music play in a converted underground public lavatory at The Temple, Oxford Road, Manchester, 8pm (0161-288 9834).

Kiran Desai, May 29 The Man Booker-winner reads at the Bookslam club night, with Soweto Kinch. Neighbourhood, Acklam Road, London W10, 6.30pm (07909 977838; bookslam.com).

Socrates Café, June 1 A philosophy discussion and book signing with Chris Phillips, the author of Socrates in Love. Ormeau Baths Gallery, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, 6pm (noalibis.com).

Pirate Day, June 1 Activities and competitions for children. Fancy dress encouraged. Waterstone’s, Broad Street, Reading (01189 581270; waterstones.com).

Fresh, June 1 A showcase of poetry blended with rap and dance, featuring MC Tempest. The Albany, London, SE8 (020-8692 4446; applesandsnakes.org).

Dead Good Poets Society, June 6 Open mike poetry night at the Everyman Bistro, Hope Street, Liverpool 8pm (0151-709 5221; deadgoodpoetssociety.co.uk).

Miller Caldwell, June 8 A former humanitarian worker in Pakistan talks about his travels and his books at Borders, Dundee, 10am-6pm (01382 454845; bordersstores.co.uk).

Crime Tour, June 12 The crimewriters Alex Barclay, Stuart MacBride and Michael Marshall at William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, 8pm (0141-775 4524).

Something to shout about? Send listings by e-mail to books@thetimes.co.uk

BATH: Charlotte Mendelson talks about her new novel, When We Were Bad, at Topping & Company Booksellers, Fountain Street, May 23, 7pm, £5 (includes supper and wine reception). To book, call 01225 428 111

BELFAST: Christopher Phillips signs copies of his book, Socrates in Love, at Ormeau Baths Gallery, Ormeau Avenue, June 1, 6pm. Tickets are free from No Alibis, 83 Botanic Avenue or visit www.noalibis.com

AYR: William McIlvanney signs copies of and talks about his novel, Weekend, at the Carnegie Library, Main Street, June 7, 7.30pm. Tickets are £2 from Waterstone’s on 01292 262 600 or from Carnegie Library on 01292 286 385

EDINBURGH: Christopher Phillips talks about his book, Socrates In Love, at Word Power Books, West Nicolson St, June 7, 7pm. Tickets are free and can be obtained in store or by visiting www.word-power.co.uk

GRASMERE: Sasha Dugdale and Elaine Feinstein read a selection of their poetry, at the Waterside Hotel, nr the Wordsworth Trust, Dove Cottage, May 29, 6.45pm, £7 at the door, £6 pre-booked (01539 435 544)

LONDON: Peter Godwin talks about his memoir, When A Crocodile Eats The Sun, at Daunt Books, Marylebone High Street, W1, May 29, 7pm, £5 (020 7224 2295)

Don Letts and Simon Reynolds discuss their books, Culture Clash and Bring The Noise, at Borders, Charing Cross Road, WC2, May 31, 6.30pm, free (020 7379 8877)

Ishmael Beah talks about life as a boy soldier in Sierra Leone and his memoir, A Long Way Gone, at Amnesty International UK, New Inn Yard, EC2, May 31, 7pm, free. Reservation essential via www.amnesty.org.uk/events

Daljit Nagra and Maurice Riordan read a selection of their poetry, at the Troubadour Coffee House, Old Brompton Road, SW5, June 4, 8pm, £6, concs £5 (020 8354 0660)

NORTHANTS: 4th Althorp literary festival, June 16-17: talks, readings and discussions with authors including John Adamson, Sarah Bradford, Tracy Chevalier, Joanna Harris, Hari Kunzru, Fay Weldon, Edward St Aubyn and Charles Spencer; times vary, £10 per event. For bookings, call 01604 770 107, for more details visit www.althorp.com/literaryfestival

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