I have been very busy at work this week, so no time for cultural events, other than to note that I posted copies of Asymptote January book club title to all of the UK and Canadian subscribers. Some of you have received them already, and we will be revealing the title next week. It took a little longer than usual to arrive, as it was shipped over from somewhere far, far away. I am very excited about this book, as I have to admit (to my shame) that I have not read anything translated from this language before.
The only other contribution I made this week was to ogle atĀ Silent WitnessĀ on TV, which featured my workplace as a stand-in for the American Embassy. I believe they were filming those episodes when I went in for my job interview, so I was surprised that it was swarming with police and uniformed guards.

There are, however, plenty of interesting events coming up in February that you might be interested in:
French Film Festival
Thank you to Emma from Book Around who made me aware of this. From 19th Jan to 19 Feb you can stream a selection of recent French films. 10 short films are free, 10 feature films are accessible via a small fee. With subtitles, naturellement!
Swiss Cabaret
A literary cabaret on Feb. 9th, featuring obvious Swiss writers such as Peter Stamm, Monique Schwitter, Nicolas Verdan and Pedro Lenz and others whose links to Switzerland might surprise you (as they did me): Alain de Botton, Deborah Levy and Xiaolu Guo. At the Tabernacle in Notting Hill.
Reconsidering the Raj
Programme of monthly lectures organised by the Institute of Historical Research at Senate House, London – through until April. While you’re there, you might also want to have a look at the Queer between the Covers exhibition at the Senate House library .
Imagine Children’s Festival at the South Bank
Focus on Storytelling with guests Jacqueline Wilson, Francesca Simon, Harry Hill and many more, Kids Takeover (programming, organising ticket sales, intercom announcements etc.), Super Hero parties and many free events. WED 7 FEB ā SUN 18 FEB
Julian Barnes in conversation with Hermione Lee
On the eve of the publication of his latest book The Only Story,Ā Wednesday 21st February 19:00 at The Royal Institution. Very tempted to go, as I love both of them.
So, after a very long January, February beckons at last (perhaps even with some bulbs in the garden coming to life). What are you looking forward to this coming month?
Some really tempting events here! I’m trying to save money in 2018 and so trying to go mainly to free events but the Swiss cabaret is soooo enticing!
Senate House really is lovely š I grieve for the passing of my borrowing rights there….
I really, really need to save money too, but I seem to be spending it all on cultural events… Ah, well, I’ll eat less and put on another woolly jumper!
Very interesting events coming up, Marina Sofia! You have so many wonderful opportunities where you are – lucky you! Hopefully your work schedule will allow you to get to them.
London is so wonderful for cultural events, I really missed it when I was living abroad. But of course I had the landscape and sports in that location. You can’t have it all, I suppose!
Thanks for mentioning My French Film Festival!
I’m certainly going to have a peek at those films.
PS: looking forward to your review of Life Before Us.
Oooh, jealous of the Barnes. Shame it’s the middle of the week!
Yes, that doesn’t work too well for me either… Not sure if I will make it.
I’m waiting for my hyacinth bulb to do something.
Ha! Yes, the waiting is long… My snowdrops just came out today!
It’s an orange one (supposedly) which I’ve never had before. I have camellias as the moment
I’ll be starting my first internship in a publishing house in February, so I’m very much looking forward to it!
Yay! How exciting! Let us know how you get on. Is that in France or in UK?