Books
Corrie’s Capers books help feed starving children
Alison Page, a children’s author and Isle of Arran resident, published her first picture book “The Westie Fest” three years ago. It was reviewed by Scottish Field at the time, in January 2019 and awarded a 5 * Book Review. The review said: ‘A beautifully illustrated book with lots of information about things to see…
Read MoreFinding solace in fishing during cancer battle
Cancer and fishing sounds like an odd pairing, but after a few pages, I was hooked. Mick May’s autobiographical journey makes total sense. This is a heartfelt story of surviving cancer against the odds and finding solace in fishing. May’s writing is full of soul and sharp wit. Not a fishing fan? You will still…
Read MoreSome holistic ponderings about life in new book
On opening this book, it becomes clear that the title, A Quiet Wife, gives away nothing about the nature of our protagonist. And thank God for that. The opening sentence – ‘Sheila enjoyed her reputation as a ruthlessly efficient PA’ – is far more fitting. Sheila is 60, newly retired and dissatisfied with her self-indulgent…
Read MoreStories from the people who live in Blair Atholl
As most Scots will know, Blair Atholl is a pretty patch. This book compiles stories of Atholl from the people who inhabit it, although this is not just a book for Atholl residents – the stories have such a touching humility to them, it would be a shame for them not to receive a wider…
Read MoreLifting the lid on cult film classic Highlander
With a helping hand from more than sixty cast and crew members from the cult classic film Highlander, arts journalist Jonathan Melville reveals all about life behind the scenes. Myths are untangled and out pours pages upon pages of film buff gold dust. Highlander fan or not, this is a fascinating snapshot in time with…
Read MoreSecrets, death and malt whisky in debut novel
The Mash House is a story of secrets, murder and whisky – and first time novelist, Alan Gillespie cites time spent in the Highlands as his muse. A Scots author has used his time spent living and working in Ardnamurchan and family ties to Ross-shire for the inspiration behind his debut tartan noir novel, The…
Read MoreThe fascinating tales of boarding school sports
An old Etonian? A recent Wykehamist? Remember the good old days at Edinburgh Academy? If you have fond memories of boarding school or are a sports historian then you will find this book fascinating. Malcolm Tozer has collated the pre-rugby early codes of football from an array of public schools in the 19th century, including…
Read MoreBrookmyre’s latest thriller is a Cut above the rest
Dark humour and jittering suspense underlines the twisting narrative of Chris Brookmyre’s latest thriller. Expertly crafted, our unconventional characters Millicent and Jerry narrate us through their turbulent lives. Scarred by and scared of the world around her, we are introduced to Millicent, who has spent 25 years in jail for murder, but who is now…
Read MoreThe latest Highland Book Prize winner is revealed
The 2020 Highland Book Prize has been named as The Changing Outer Hebrides: Galson and the Meaning of Place by Frank Rennie. This is an intimate account of the inter-relationship between one small island village in the Hebrides and the wider world. From the formation of the bedrock three billion years ago, to the predictable…
Read MoreA celebration of our beautiful trees and outdoors
For The Love of Trees: A Celebration of People and Trees is not just for 21st-century hippies or ‘forest bathers’, it is a beautiful reminder of the benefits of the outdoors. A host of household names including Judi Dench, Aldo Kane, Miranda Hart and Chris Packham contributed to this book, heralding the benefits of being…
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