It’s something of a coup to nab a writer of Julian Barnes’ stature – and the acclaimed author of The Sense of An Ending (winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2011) kicks off some impressive soirees courtesy of SE21’s lovely bookshop. Barnes, who does very few events, has agreed to talk about his writing with particular emphasis on this latest book, The Only Story, in which he examines what happens when we allow ‘a social life to stand in for an emotional life’. Thurs 8th Feb, 7pm (£20 admission and book, more info here), All Saints Church, Lovelace Rd SE21 8JY
Other forthcoming evenings – which take place in the actual shop itself – include Imogen Hermes Gowar (the author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancockan) and historian Rachel Hewitt (A Revolution of Feeling: The Decade that Forged the Modern Mind) in conversation on 22nd Feb; and bestselling spy novelist Mick Herron, who’ll spill the beans on London Rules, his latest Jackson Lamb novel, on 7th March. Both events start 7pm and cost £10 inc glass wine. Dulwich Books, 6 Croxted Rd SE21