Common Weal Book Group: Demanding Democracy: The Case for a Scottish Media. Come along and discuss the future of Scotland’s democracy and author Chris Silver’s view of the Scottish media’s potential role (Chris hopes to attend the meeting). The Case for a Scottish Media may be purchased from Word Power Books here. 7.30pm, Tuesday 26th April. Hosted by Common Weal Edinburgh North & Leith; please check the Common Weal Facebook page here for venue details.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh and Edinburgh University Press Present Christopher Harvie: No Gods and Precious Few Heroes: the 4th edition of the seminal text on 20th Century Scotland by the former MSP and now Professor of British and Irish Studies at the University of Tübingen. Epitomised by political, social and technological change, this history appraises a fast-evolving century, from the outbreak of World War I up to 2015, the politics of devolution and the age of the internet. 6.30pm, Tuesday 26th April, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets from the shop – or call 0131 622 8222, email events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or book on eventbrite here.
Golden Hare Books and Transworld Publishers present Barney Norris: Five Rivers Met on a Wooded Plain. Barney Norris has already established himself as one of the leading lights of a new generation of British theatre-makers; now he brings his unique voice and vision of modern Britain to the world of contemporary fiction as he publishes his debut novel. 
Set in Barney’s hometown of Salisbury and bearing a title inspired by the area’s unusual geography, Five Rivers Met on a Wooded Plain describes the fateful night that five lives collide in the wake of a serious traffic accident. ‘Wonderful … I was hooked from the first page. It’s the real stuff’ (Michael Frayn). 6.30pm, Tuesday 26th April, Golden Hare Books, St Stephen Street. Please book via eventbrite here. Image: upinarms.org.uk.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Scotland and the Easter Rising. 
The events of Easter 1916 in Dublin were pivotal for independence in Ireland. 
In conversation with historian Owen Dudley Edwards, the editors of this acclaimed new book Kirsty Lusk and Willy Maley explore the Scottish connections, focusing on the involvement of Scottish-born revolutionary James Connolly and suffragette Margaret Skinnider and referring to the wide range of perspectives offered by their fellow contributors, including James Kelman and Ian Bell, who was James Connolly’s great nephew. Contrasting the bloody Irish struggle for independence with the peaceful democratic Scottish independence referendum in 2014, they look to the future for both countries. 6.30pm, Wednesday 27th April, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets from the shop – or call 0131 622 8222, email events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or book on eventbrite here. This event is part of Tradfest, Edinburgh’s annual showcase of traditional arts and culture.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Joe Abercrombie: the author of the First Law Trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings), the Shattered Sea series (Half a World, Half a King and Half a War) and three stand-alone novels, also set in the First Law world, will sign copies of his new book Sharp Ends, a collection of gritty short stories in which six original and eight reissued short stories are collected together for the first time, including brand-new adventures for the most popular characters from the First Law world. 12.30-2pm, Thursday 28th April, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. This is a signing and no tickets are required.
Joe Pike: Project Fear – How an Unlikely Alliance Left a Kingdom United but a Country Divided. Come and meet the political reporter for ITV Border, who will be discussing his compelling insider account of the Scottish Referendum. 6.30pm, Thursday 28th April, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. Free tickets are available from the shop. For further information please call 0131 226 2666.
The Library Cat. For centuries, thinking cats have lived in silence. All that is about to change tonight, when the world-famous Library Cat of Edinburgh University Library will be publishing his book. Come, make merry, sup the (free) wine, and mix with fellow Library Cat lovers; buy your copy and have it signed by Library Cat’s personally assigned Human ambassador (whoever he is). There will be Library Cat cakes and Library Cat wears, a Library Cat Q&A and even a Library Cat photobooth! (NB: The Library Cat himself will be otherwise engaged and unable to attend). 6 for 6.30pm, Thursday 28th April, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets from the shop – or call 0131 622 8222, email events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or book on eventbrite here.
Hemsley and Hemsley Recipe Book Club: Jasmine & Melissa are passionate about the sort of cooking that makes you look good and feel great. They have recently published their second book Good & Simple; join them tonight, sample their food and find out what makes them two of the top authors in the cookery book world just now! 7pm, Thursday 28th April, The Edinburgh Bookshop, 219 Bruntsfield Place. Tickets £15 from the shop (tel: 0131 447 1917). Please note: this event was postponed from the original date of 17th March.
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