Out and about
Monstrosities Mon Amour LIVE! and other outrages
At the moment I’m either talking to groups of people or lying down. I’ve yet to combine these two into a horizontal book reading, because that sounds like a euphemism.
Thank you so much to everyone who has bought a book, come to an event or generally offered support and enthusiasm, it’s much appreciated. Here’s a quick round-up of recent and forthcoming stuff.
The Allusionist in Suburbia
It was so great to talk about the meaning of the suburbs, and of the word itself, with podcast royalty Helen Zaltzman on her magnificent show The Allusionist. You can listen to it here. Apologies for my category B swear.
Monstrosities Mon Amour LIVE!
VERY excited (look at those caps!) to be recording a live edition of Monstrosities Mon Amour this Sunday, 10th May, at the Horse Hospital in Bloomsbury. I’ll be interviewing the remarkable writer and human Gillian Darley, author of the classic Villages of Vision.
It’s part of an afternoon of diverse entertainments. Concrete Atlantis presents: Sumer is icumen in a Roundabout Way, from 2-5pm. It’s a matinee of dark-edged spoken word, lively talk about concrete buildings and live music for dancing to architecture. With performance from Mira Aroyo (from Ladytron), electronics by Opal X & MICROCORPS, and vintage Essex electronica on the big screen. Hosted by former Monstrostities guests star Travis Elborough & Stonecirclesampler.
Opal X & MICROCORPS is a collaboration between the London based electronic musician Astrud Steehouder, who fuses a sound that is equally inspired by early Mute, Sähkö and American noise metal, and the artist and musician Alexander Tucker (Grumbling Fur, Imbogodom) whose latest work explores the hinterlands of electronics, cello and voice.
Mira Aroyo is the Bulgarian-born British musician and geneticist who was the co-founder of dark-edged electronic pop act Ladytron but will be channelling her interest in architecture and JG Ballard in a spoken word performance piece.
Find out more, and tickets, here.
Tales of the Suburbs events
Yet more events are coming up for Tales of the Suburbs, my new book on LGBTQ+ Lives Behind Net Curtains.
DUBLIN
19 May 2026, 8pm at the Synge
The Secret Life of Suburbia at Dublin International Literature Festival. John Grindrod will be in conversation with Emmett Scanlon, architect, curator and director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, talking about Tales of the Suburbs. Presented in partnership with the Irish Architecture Foundation. Tickets here.
WENDOVER
21 May, 7pm at Real Magic Books
Real Magic Books is an independent family bookshop at the heart of Wendover High Street, celebrating the people and pages where real magic is made. It features the very best new fiction; children’s and young adult literature; nature and the outside world; people and places; modern thinking and philosophy; local writers and artists; selected classics and other carefully chosen titles from the world of publishing. Tickets here.
LONDON
27 May, 6.30pm, Twentieth Century Society
Join John Grindrod in conversation with the former Historic England architectural investigator Matthew Whitfield, author of England's Suburbs 1820-2020 (2025), to discuss John’s new book Tales of the Suburbs and the past and future of the suburban life. Tickets here.
SYDENHAM
17 June, Kirkdale Bookshop
Details and tickets to follow here.
CROYDON PRIDE
18 June, 6.30pm at Braithwaite Hall
John Grindrod uncovers Croydon’s secret LGBTQ+ history at Braithwaite Halls. Readings, Q&A, and networking. Free entry – book your spot now! Ever wondered what was really happening behind the twitching net curtains of suburban Croydon? For Pride Month 2026, Croydon Pride is hosts an exclusive evening with acclaimed social historian John Grindrod. Join us at the historic Braithwaite Halls as we dive into his latest work, Tales of the Suburbs: LGBTQ+ Lives Behind Net Curtains. Tickets are free but must be reserved here.
Lots more to come!
The book is also featured in this month’s Attitude magazine. I’m not modelling it in my pants.
I should also say how much I loved your book - funny, moving and beautifully written. I have bought copies for several friends as presents.
Why aren’t you modelling it in your pants?! I’d def go for that 😈