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Charing Cross Road Store Top 10
- The Baker Street Phantom
Fabrice Bourland - The Snowman
Jo Nesbo - English Grammar In Use with Answers and CD ROM
Raymond Murphy - Human Chain
Seamus Heaney - Eat, Pray, Love
Elizabeth Gilbert - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest
Stieg Larsson - The Slap
Christos Tsiolkas - The Flavour Thesaurus
Niki Segnit - How I Escaped My Certain Fate
Stewart Lee - The Girl Who Played with Fire
Stieg Larsson
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View BasketForthcoming Author Signings & Events
Click each shop name to view events at your local store or hover over the Events Calendar to see everything coming up.
Since our first Literary Luncheon in 1930 Foyles has hosted a strong and varied events programme with practically every great writer of the age speaking at a Foyles event.
We host a busy evening events programme at our Charing Cross Road shop in our dedicated events space on the 3rd floor or, when a greater capacity is required, at a range of local venues.
Wherever possible we make our events free of charge to attend so that everyone can experience the joy of hearing an author talk about or read from their work. We do, however, ask that you email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve your place and also that you let us know if you are unable to attend an event for which you have booked. For very popular events we may allocate seating on a first-come first-served basis. For events at external venues (and very occasionally instore) we charge for tickets, but always endeavour to keep these charges at an absolute minimum.
And if you can't make it instore you can see information about past events here or buy signed copies here.
Charing Cross Road
Literature & Spoken Word Events
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+++ SOLD OUT +++ EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT Philippa Gregory - The Red QueenThe queen of historical novels - and distinguished academic - Philippa Gregory returns to the Wars of the Roses with The Red Queen, as the young Margaret Beaufort stops at nothing to ensure her son Henry Tudor ascends to the throne. History truly comes alive in Philippa's vivid and meticulously researched stories. The Gallery at Foyles. |
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Raymond Briggs Signing - Mother Goose TreasuryThe iconic creator of The Snowman joins us for a limited time in the Children's Department to sign copies of his newly released Mother Goose Treasury. No need to reserve, but do arrive early to join the queue. The Children's Department, Foyles on Charing Cross Road. |
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EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT DBC Pierre - Lights Out in WonderlandIf Booker winning enfant terrible DBC Pierre's life was written as a novel, reviewers would say it was unbelievable. Join us for this one-of-a-kind event as the misfit of modern literature reads from and talks about his new novel Lights Out in Wonderland - dark, surreal, and twisted but very, very funny. Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place. The Gallery at Foyles. |
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EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT Michael Frayn - My Father's FortuneMichael Frayn is arguably the greatest comic writer of his generation: who else can claim such mastery of novels, plays, philosophy and satire? Looking back over the whole of his career and beyond to the shadowy landscape of his family history, Frayn at last turns his eye to his own fascinating life. Join us for a truly special event, as one of our most cherished and celebrated writers discusses his most personal work to date. Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place. The Gallery at Foyles |
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Saturday 11 September and Sunday 12 September INDIE ALLIANCE WEEKENDBrought to you by the Independent Alliance, with PD James, Geoff Dyer, Emily Woof, Philip Kerr and many others… It may sound like something from Star Wars, but really the Independent Alliance is a network of independent publishers, joined together to ensure their extraordinarily diverse output reaches the widest audience possible. Publishing everything from internationally best-selling crime-writers to Booker Prize winners, to those undiscovered gems only an independent house can unearth, this weekend they bring to Foyles a vast array of authors for two full days of literary events - including discussions on counterculture and how to write non-fiction, and speed-dating Indie-style. Join us for one or both days, as we celebrate independence in all its forms. Programme for Saturday, 11 September
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| Saturday Alone Regular: £15 | Buy Now |
| Sunday Alone Regular: £15 | Buy Now |
| Full weekend Regular: £25 | Buy Now |
| Saturday Alone Concession: £12 | Buy Now |
| Sunday Alone Concession: £12 | Buy Now |
| Full Weekend Concession: £20 | Buy Now |
The Gallery at Foyles

© Richard Lea-Hair


© Naomi Christie

© Robin Farquhar-Thomson

© Jerry Bauer

© Pete Bartlett

© Angela Chan



© Lee Thomas

EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT
Jed Rubenfeld - The Death Instinct
Lawyer-turned-novelist Jed Rubenfeld has a knack for turning Freudian theory into fodder for crime novels - as he proved in his immensely popular The Interpretation of Murder, which saw Freud and his followers turn sleuth. Tonight, he tells us how he's done it, and what's on the horizon for everyone's favourite psychiatrist in his new book The Death Instinct.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Ed Howker and Shiv Malik - Jilted Generation
Why can so few young people afford to buy a house? Why do even top graduates struggle to find jobs and what they can find are often poorly paid and unstable? Why does politics - from voting to protesting - seem so pointless? This evening 20-something journalists Howker and Malik explain how Britain gave up on its future, who is really to blame and what must be done to put it right
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Thursday 16 September 6.30pm SOLD OUT
Will Self - Walking to Hollywood
One of the most thought-provoking writers and raconteurs of his age, whatever Will Self turns his hand to becomes extraordinary. Walking to Hollywood weaves together fact, fancy, memoir and invention as Self delves deep into his own psychosis, memory loss and OCD.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles.
Charlie Higson Signing - The Dead
Best-selling author of the Young Bond novels comes to the Children's Department today to sign copies of The Dead, and performs a death-defying (or at least very scary) stunt to kick it all off. Come early so you don't miss any of the action.
The Children's Department

David Perrett - In Your Face
Why do some faces make our pulses race while others leave us cold or have us running for the hills? Can beauty be measured mathematically? Find out tonight as Professor of Psychology David Perrett opens up the mysteries of the human visage.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Saturday 25 September 11am-5pm
Penguin Day with Colm Toibin, David Vann and more
75 years ago, the first Penguin paperbacks appeared on shelves in bookstores, including works by Ernest Hemingway, Andre Maurois and Agatha Christie. Today we celebrate those years of book-making history, covering everything from that iconic Penguin jacket design, to a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing process, to the authors who continue the legacy of Penguin writing.
Tickets: £15/£12
| Regular Price: £15 | Buy Now |
| Concession Price: £12 | Buy Now |
The Gallery at Foyles
Who is the World's Most Fashionable Sociologist, Foucault, Zizek or Baudrillard?
A Balloon Debate with Nikolas Rose , Chris Horrocks and Chris Kul-Want
The world's greatest sociologists are in a sinking balloon, and only the most fashionable can be saved. Their fate is in your hands. Tonight our expert panelists battle it out to determine which sociologist has best put their finger on the nub of the human condition: Foucault the structuralist, Zizek the Cartesian or Baudrillard the postmodernist?
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

Steve Caplin - Adobe Photoshop CS5
An event for Photoshop fanatics to learn new 3D skills or for anyone interested in the visual design that constantly surrounds us and the programme that creates it. Caplin is a true master of his art and serious students should come prepared to scribble notes whilst interested observers can just sit back and enjoy the incredible show.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

© Michael O'Shea
Tuesday 5 October 6.30pm SOLD OUT
William Gibson - Zero History
He's known to many as the 'noir prophet', to others as the man who coined the term 'cyberspace.' To us, he's the visionary behind Neuromancer, Spook Country, and many other of the most groundbreaking, world-shifting, mind-boggling SF inventions ever to land on our bookshelves. Tonight, in a rare visit to the UK, he lands in our Gallery to take us to ever more unfathomable realms with Zero History. Not to be missed.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

© J. Foley
Ismail Kadare - The Accident
In an incredibly rare London appearance, Man Booker International Prize-winner Kadare joins us in the Gallery. Often compared to Gogol, Kafka and Orwell, tonight Kadare discusses his new novel The Accident, and the rich Balkan heritage that has provided inspiration for his remarkable half-century of fiction and poetry.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Battle of Ideas presents
Papal Plots, Burqa Bans and Illiberal Liberals: What does it mean to be secular today?
Tolerance and freedom of religion have always been uneasy bed fellows, and the question of what can be reasonably permitted in the name of religious belief has been ever more hotly debated since the rise of so-called militant secularism. With France recently outlawing the burqa, there has never been a more pertinent time to question the limits of tolerance, and indeed its very definition. In doing so, tonight's panel will attempt to pinpoint what it means to be secular today. Join us to hear their views and share yours.
Tickets: £7.50/£5 available here or call 020 72699220
The Gallery at Foyles

Faber Poetry Day with Don Paterson , Daljit Nagra , William Boyd, and the Faber New Poets
The publishers of TS Eliot and Ezra Pound, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy and Andrew Motion, Faber have a simply unrivalled reputation for bringing great poetry to the world. Today we delve into poetry's past with Don Paterson on Shakespeare's sonnets, discuss the giants of contemporary verse with 2007 Forward Prize-winner Daljit Nagra, and look to the future with the glittering Faber New Poets. Explore reading and writing poetry in the inspirational company of some of the art form's finest practitioners.
All ticket-holders at Faber Poetry Day will be entered into a raffle to win a signed first edition of Simon Armitage's Seeing Stars.
11am - 11.45am: Robert Brown, Faber archivist, walks us through the decades of Faber treasures
12pm - 12.45pm: Don Paterson discusses his Reading Shakespeare's Sonnets with William Boyd
1pm - 2.15pm: Break
2.15pm - 3.15pm: Daljit Nagra examines the living giants Seamus Heaney and Derek Walcott, and gives us an exclusive glimpse of his forthcoming new collection.
3.45pm - 4.45pm: The Faber New Poets Annie Katchinska , Tom Warner and Sam Riviere & Heather Phillipson take us forward
Tickets: £15/£12 concessions
| Regular Price: £15 | Buy Now |
| Concession Price: £12 | Buy Now |
The Gallery at Foyles

Quentin Blake and Donald Sturrock
In conjunction with The House of Illustration
For most of us, the stories of Roald Dahl are inseparable from the illustrations that accompany them. This evening, Dahl's biographer Donald Sturrock appears in conversation with the legendary illustrator Quentin Blake, to discuss not only the life and words of a master, but the importance of the visual in literature and beyond.
Tickets: £9.50, available here
Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG

EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT
Kathy Reichs - Mortal Remains
When she's not cracking open skulls or teaching FBI agents to identify human remains, internationally best-selling author Kathy Reichs uses her experience as a forensic anthropologist to create her gripping and gritty crime novels. This evening, the producer of Devil Bones gives us a glimpse into her world.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Monday 18 October 7pm for 7.30pm
EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT
Bernard Cornwell and Richard Holmes - The Soldier in Fact and Fiction
The much loved author of the recent bestselling Azincourt and The Burning Land among many others returns with his new novel, The Fort, an epic tale of heroism in the heart of the war of American Independence. Cornwell events are few and far between, so an evening spent with the master of historical fiction coupled with a master of military history is an opportunity not to be missed.
Bernard will be talking with military historian and presenter of many television series, award-winning writer Richard Holmes, author of Tommy, Wellington and Redcoat.
Tickets: £10 or £20 including a copy of the book.
| Ticket: £10 | Buy Now |
| Ticket & Book: £20 | Buy Now |
One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
Who is Philosophy's Biggest Hitter - Wittgenstein, Nietzsche or Kant?
A Balloon Debate with John Heaton, Laurence Gane and Chris Kul-Want
The world's greatest thinkers are in a sinking balloon, and only the biggest powerhouse can be saved. Their fate is in your hands. Tonight our expert panelists put forth their cases for who is the true cerebral colossus, bestriding the world of philosophy like no other: Heidegger the existentialist, Nietzsche the post-modernist or Kant the epistemologist?
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October
Foyles Fear Fest: L.A. Weatherly, Sam Enthoven, William Hussey, Sarwat Chadda and others
For two days of angelic amusements and demonic delights, including giveaways, competitions and talks from the cream of the other-worldy crop, come to Foyles on Hallowe'en weekend.
Ask in-store for more details.

Ian Morris - Why the West Rules for Now
Centuries of colonialism, warfare and trade have seen the countries of the western hemisphere assert their dominance over the globe. In Why the West Rules for Now Ian Morris examines the thousands of years of history that have caused this dominance and considers how long it can last. Tonight's event gives an opportunity to discuss the West-East relationship with a man who's made it his life's work to examine it.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles
EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT
John Boyne and Oliver Jeffers Signing - Noah Barleywater Runs Away
Not one but two mega stars of children's literature come together to sign copies of their brand new book, Noah Barleywater Runs Away. This incredibly rare opportunity is most certainly not to be missed.
The Children's Department
Christopher Fowler, Pat Cadigan and Adam Nevill - The End of the Line
With contributions from some of today's finest storytellers, The End of the Line is a collection of chilling stories set on the world's subway systems. Tonight, descend with Christopher Fowler, Pat Cadigan and Adam Nevill to the creepy depths of the underground.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Geza Vermes - Jesus and The Dead Sea Scrolls
Geza Vermes is widely recognised as the leading authority on Jesus as a historical figure, never afraid to challenge Christian orthodoxy in separating the facts from the myths. Tonight he discusses the life of Jesus based on the latest analysis of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other recent archaeological discoveries.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles
Who is the Greatest Lucasian Professor - Hawking, Newton or Dirac?
A Balloon Debate with JP McEvoy, Graham Farmelo and Manjit Kumar
The world's greatest Lucasian professors are in a sinking balloon and only the best and brightest can be saved. Their fate is in your hands. Which of the holders of the prestigious post of Lucasian Professor at Cambridge has made the most vital contribution to our understanding of the cosmos: Stephen Hawking, the black hole expert; Isaac Newton, the father of classical mechanics, or Paul Dirac, quantum pioneer?
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

© David Michalek
EXCLUSIVE LONDON EVENT
Alex Ross - Listen to This
With The Rest is Noise, Alex Ross changed the way we listen to and think about music. Listen to This expands on his thesis, offering a sweeping view of the musical spectrum. Ross has said that his aim is to 'approach music not as a self-sufficient sphere but as a way of knowing the world' and this rare UK appearance offers anyone who loves any form of music the chance to hear more of what Alex has to say.
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles
Bookshop BarniesWatch this space for details of forthcoming Bookshop Barnies. |
Classical Performances in the Gallery at Foyles Charing Cross Road
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Ian BostridgeMultiple Gramophone Award winner Ian Bostridge is quite simply one of the world's most respected and versatile, acclaimed for his performances of everything from Bach to Britten and Schubert to Smetena. Tonight in this intimate recital Bostridge launches his brand new collection of rare baroque arias and answers your questions. Tickets: £10, including an exclusive advance copy of his forthcoming album Three Baroque Tenors. When choosing UK standard class post for this item please note that the total order value will list a post charge as unless purchased with another item it is just under our normal free postage threshold. Happily our customer services staff will remove this charge before charging your card and despatching the ticket to you. Our apologies for any confusion this may cause.
CDs will be available to collect from the Gallery on the evening of the event. The Gallery at Foyles |
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Claire Seaton Soprano
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The Tyburn String QuartetIn their time performing together, this young quartet from the Royal Academy of Music have already performed at the Royal Opera House, on BBC Radio 3 and at King's Place with Trevor Pinnock. Today we're thrilled to host their recital in our Gallery. |
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Emily Andrews Flute
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Gisela Meyer PianoRobert SCHUMANN In this concert celebrating the 200-year anniversary of Robert Schumann's birth, Gisela Meyer performs a selection of his best loved music for solo piano. Gisela Meyer teaches piano and cello as well as Theory and Aural and works as an accompanist and coach for singers and instrumentalists as well as with several opera companies, including Candlelight Opera. In her work as composer and arranger, Gisela has just completed music for a short film by Erdogan Gilgil. Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve places |
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Yuka Ishizuka, Violin
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Ray's Jazz Events at Charing Cross Road
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SplatterThis fresh modern quartet seems to charge down musical wormholes, irreverently flipping from one style to another in double-quick time, sometimes tipping unsteadily into freefall but never quite coming to a sticky end. :: Anna Kaluza - Alto sax The Café at Foyles |
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Manzin & Lo Castro: ImprofivesThis superb new project will be performing original Jazz compositions with a Mediterranean flavour from the new album Improfives, available in Ray's Jazz. :: Roberto Manzin - Tenor/Alto Sax The Café at Foyles |
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Gianni Boscarino QuartetGianni Boscarino is an Italian pianist and composer based in London. Through his wide musical background (from 70s rock to Brazilian music) and his passionate sensitivity, the sophisticated harmonies he borrows from Contemporary European Jazz become a vehicle to create dramatic emotional journeys in unexpected directions. The band brings together four strong individual personalities to form a unique sound. They have been playing together for four years and gigged throughout London and other venues across the country. :: Gianni Boscarino - Piano and composition The Café at Foyles |
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Robert MitchellA Steinway Artist since 2009, Robert leads two award-winning groups - 3io and Panacea. He has released 5 albums, and will also be a judge on the Nottingham International Solo Jazz Piano Competition (2010). Robert will be performing a mix of tunes from his 2007 BBC Award-nominated work Equinox, new left hand-only pieces and solo arrangements of tunes from his new album The Cusp. :: Robert Mitchell - Piano solo The Café at Foyles |
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Richard Percival - Teacher on TapCombining traditional woodwind pedagogy with modern technology Teacher On Tap provides a learning system that is thorough, systematic, stylistically broad, affordable and great fun. Creator Richard Percival will outline the thinking behind the content and structure of Teacher On Tap and its application to specific teaching environments. The Gallery at Foyles |
Exhibitions in the Gallery at Foyles Charing Cross Road
![]() SPOT © Eric Hill / Salspot Ltd, 2010 |
Tuesday 24 August - Sunday 19 Sept Fun with Spot - Celebrating 30 YearsA special display of original art from Eric Hill's Spot books will be exhibited in London this summer at Foyles to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the much loved children's story, Where's Spot? Since the first publication in 1980, Where's Spot? has gone on to sell over 10 million copies around the world and has been translated into 60 languages! The special touring exhibition will feature a collection of original artwork from Where's Spot? and other popular Spot books including Spot Goes to the Farm and Spot's Birthday Party. Information panels will follow the history of this lovable little puppy and how he became one of the best-loved children's characters of all time. Admission free. Spot books and toys will be on sale in-store during the exhibition. Gallery Opening Hours Closed 11th and 12th Sept due to events taking place in the space. For further information on the exhibition and other anniversary events in 2010 please visit the award-winning Spot website. The Café at Foyles |
Royal Festival Hall
| Watch this space for details of forthcoming events at Foyles Royal Festival Hall |
St Pancras International
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This autumn, Foyles and the St Pancras Grand continue their sensational literary suppers. Accompanied by exquisite menus chosen specifically for the occasion, distinguished literary figures will speak to guests within the relaxed but elegant atmosphere of the restaurant. Come along to dine and discuss in one of London's most treasured buildings. ![]() © Robin Matthews Monday 27 September 6.30pm for 7 Jilly Cooper - JUMP!Fans of bestselling novelist Jilly Cooper have been waiting four years for her next book, and now the wait is over, as we celebrate the publication of Jump! Join us in the stunning St Pancras Grand restaurant as Jilly discusses her latest novel, a glamorous yet scandalous glimpse into the characters who inhabit the world of jump racing. Tickets: £55, including a three-course meal For menu and wine details, or to discover more about the St Pancras Grand, click here.
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Kings Place – Words on Mondays |
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Quentin Blake and Donald Sturrock In conjunction with The House of Illustration For most of us, the stories of Roald Dahl are inseparable from the illustrations that accompany them. This evening, Dahl's biographer Donald Sturrock appears in conversation with the legendary illustrator Quentin Blake, to discuss not only the life and words of a master, but the importance of the visual in literature and beyond. http://images.ehaus2.co.uk/jackets/s/978000/9780007254767.jpg Tickets: £9.50, available here Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG |
Westfield London
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Thursday 14 October 6.30pm



Friday 17 September 6pm





