It is 9pm on a Tuesday night and Caitlin Moran is animatedly reading on stage.

The audience are hanging on her every minute while she waxes lyrical on subjects ranging from menstruation to Chevy Chase.

It soon becomes clear this isn't your usual stuffy literary hob-nobbing event.

Moran is the headline act for Book Slam, a monthly book-focused nightclub which features a mix of writers, stand-up acts and musicians, all to be enjoyed while having a pint.

Book Slam is the brainchild of musician Ben Watt and writer Patrick Weate, with regular stints at The Clapham Grand, in St John's Hill, Battersea.

Today's lineup features columnist Caitlin Moran, Guardian journalist Hadley Freeman, comedian Sarah Pascoe and singer Soak.

The theme of the night has a strong feminism vein and this is reflected in the mainly female audience, although there are a few chaps about. Previous line-ups have brought Nick Hornby, Adele, Kate Nash, Peter Serafinowicz and Aidan Moffat to the stage.

Compère Salena Godden makes sure everything runs smoothly.

Her saucy poetry about attempting to draw a moustache on Patti Smith sets the tone for the evening before Hadley Freeman takes to the stage.

Freeman reads from her latest book Be Awesome: A Modern Guide for Modern Ladies.

The Guardian fashion-writer takes a tongue-in cheek look at her own life through the eyes of a Daily Mail journalist, with depictions of her 'flaunting her enviable pins' while 'cutting a lonely figure' as she orders coffee.

Sarah Pascoe, star of The Thick of It, dug into the beauty industry while reminiscing about having to do the walk of shame.

The charming 17-year-old Soak performed two acoustic style songs, comparable to Ed Sheeran, but with a haunting melodic voice.

Moran has a no-holds-barred approach in her readings from How to be a Woman and Moranthology. She begins her stint with a tale of how she once had an accident on Benedict Cumberbatch parent's sofa.

Her style made it feel as if you were chatting to a friend in a pub, as she speaks about her working class roots, being late for meeting the Prime Minister and her first crush.

After the show the authors are happy to sign books and I'm able to grab Moran for a few minutes to sign my copy of Moranthology.

There is also a book store set up in front of the bar if you were inspired to purchase a copy – a much healthier and intellectually stimulating option than the usual packet of fags and takeaway often snapped up after a night out.

Book Slam, The Clapham Grand, St John's Hill, Battersea, visit bookslam.com for future dates.