Recapturing lost London

While we wait for English Heritage to reprint the gorgeous Lost London book (it's due some time next month we cannot believe what amazing value it is at £29.99--this is a must-have item as far as we're concerned), those with an appetite for London's past can satisfy their cravings at Kenwood, where EH is staging a new photographic exhibition of around 100 images from its archive. The pictures cover the years 1870 to 1945, a period which saw London deteriorate from a thrusting imperial capital to a crumbling post-war ruin, and many have never been previously exhibited, so this could prove to be a real treat.

Lost London runs from 23rd Jan to 5 April and entrance to it, and the rest of the Kenwood treasures, is free.

And if you're still in the mood for post-war London, don't forget to book a place at our forthcoming author event with Elizabeth Wilson, whose War Damages novel is set in a bleak and down-at-the-heel post-war Hampstead and which crackles with period intrigue. You can meet the author at West End Lane Books at 8pm on February 3rd. Book a seat via info@welbooks.co.uk or 0207 431 3770.

Read all about us!

Who needs the west end when you've got West End Lane Books? Maybe that most august of organs the Independent On Sunday shares this sentiment cos they've only gone and selected us for their Hitlist feature. You can read all about our favourite things this Sunday (17th)...as if you didn't know already!

Bad sex (must try harder!)

You've no doubt been on tenterhooks awaiting the announcement of the winner of that most unsung of gongs, The Bad Sex In Fiction Awards (needs an acronym or nickname really)

Joining the illustrious ranks of previous winners such as Lord Melvin Bragg, Sebastian Faulks, Norman Mailer and Giles Coren we bring you this year's victor, Jonathan Littell, who has been acknowledged for some lacklustre scenes of lurve in The Kindly Ones.

Apparently he was up against (sic) Philip Roth, Nick Cave and John Banville.

Interesting to note that no female authors were nominated. That's cos we know what we're talking about! (complaints and contradictions to info@welbooks.co.uk) please.

Note to self: check out Pepys

I doubt that Bridget Jones would cancel a night out with her fellow singletons for it, but we here at West End Lane Books are marking our diaries/priming our i-phones and whatever else one does these days as an aide-memoire, because, as you will probably know, it's the 350th anniversary of the first time Samuel Pepys put pen to paper to record 'Dear Diary' and there's a tempting little series of celebrations at St Olave's Church in the city this month to mark the occasion (as one ought)!

St Olave's, in Hart St EC3, is not only a gorgeous Wren church, but also the final resting place of Mr and Mrs Pepys and thus a divine venue in which to enjoy this month's supper talks, conducted by Graham Fawcett and including food and wine all for a v reasonable £15.

The season begins on the £18 and the drill is simply to turn up (or you can also book ahead via admin.stolave@me.com/0207 488 4318); supper begins at 6.15pm and the event a half an hour later.

What a perfect way to begin the year/avoid the commuting crowds and steep oneself in the parallel world of Pepys' London. Bridge, you don't know what you'll be missing!