BOOKS: EVENTS

GLASGOW: `Monkey's Lounge on Tour' - including Tania Glyde, Sophie, Jake Black and DJ Dead - poets, musicians and writers jam and perform all day at the CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, today, 12 noon-11pm, pounds 6/pounds 4. 0141 332 0522

LONDON: Ken Kesey and Ken Babbs aka The Merry Pranksters review their careers, from the Beat Generation to date, and show archive documentary film footage at the Barbican Theatre, Fri 14 and Sat 15, pounds 8.30, pounds 10-pounds 15. 0171 638 5403. See feature p18

Tour the National Portrait Gallery with a lecturer, focusing on "Literary Portraits". Assemble outside the Lecture Room on the first floor, Fri 7, 2.30pm, free. 0171 306 0055

CANTERBURY: travel writer John Hare talks about his latest book The Lost Camels of Tartary set in the Gobi desert at Waterstone's, 20-21 St Margaret's St, Wed 12, 7pm, pounds 2. 01227 456343

EDINBURGH BOOK FESTIVAL: from Sat 15-Mon 31 in a tented village in Charlotte Square. This Saturday's highlights: P D James reads from her latest book A Certain Justice, 11.30am, pounds 6/pounds 4; Nicola Barker reads from Wide Open and Lucy Ellmann (above) from her novel Man or Mango?, 12.15pm, pounds 5/pounds 3; David Grossman, Ivan Klma and Allan Massie discuss writing and politics, 1.30pm, pounds 6/pounds 4; Jonathan Dimbleby talks about Hong Kong and his new book The Last Governor, 3.30pm, pounds 6/pounds 4; Caribbean writer Oonya Kempadoo reads from her novel Buxton Spice and Ferdinand Dennis reads from his new book Guppy Conqueror, 3.30pm, pounds 5/pounds 3; William McIlvanney, Jonathan Dimbleby and Bel Mooney read the work of imprisoned writers, 5.30pm, free. For details of all events call 0897 500010 (pounds 1/min) or to book tickets 0131 624 5050