Books
The Good Books, J.D. Oswald: ‘Realising you can stop reading something you don’t enjoy and pick up something else is liberating’
J.D. Oswald on his memories of reading as a child, how he doesn’t enjoy Dickens and becoming addicted to audiobooks. The first book I remember reading: I devoured books from the moment I was first able to read them myself, having been read to by my parents from a very early age. I have…
Read MoreShortlist announced for Bloody Scotland 2024 McIlvanney Prize
The shortlist for the 2024 McIlvanney Prize at Stirling’s crime writing festival has been revealed. The prestigious award, named in honour of the iconic late writer William McIlvanney, will be presented on 13 September – the opening night of Bloody Scotland. The shortlist includes Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre and Abir Mukherjee. D V Bishop and…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Catherine Hokin: ‘I come from a working class background which prized education, our house was full of books’
Catherine Hokin on the books of her childhood, her best books of the year so far, and reading in rainy Glasgow. The first book I remember reading: I’ve loved stories since as long as I can remember – I come from a working class background which prized education and our house was full of…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Damian Barr: ‘James Baldwin’s voice is as urgent now as it ever was’
Damian Barr on reading for the Big Scottish Book Club, his love of Jackie Kay’s latest poetry and being inspired by James Baldwin. The first book I remember reading: The answer to this shifts – like so many memories. Beyond Peter and Jane…it would be a memory of being read to. At primary school,…
Read MoreTwo year waiting list to run Wigtown’s Open Book Airbnb as visitors from around the world flock to Scotland’s National Book Town
Since welcoming its first holidaymakers in August 2014, Wigtown’s charity-run Open Book Airbnb bookshop has become an international sensation. Over the years, nearly 450 guests have enjoyed the unusual experience of running their own bookshop in Scotland’s National Book Town, in the far west of rural Galloway. A map on the wall shows where Open…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Ali Millar: ‘I’ve tried and tried to get into Jane Austen, but I just can’t’
Ali Millar on her best books of the year, why she can’t get into Jane Austen and being inspired by Rachel Cusk. The first book I remember reading: I learnt to read very young, so I don’t remember reading specific books until I was about five. But I do remember my mother reading Jane…
Read MoreMore than 100,000 people attended this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival
More than 100,000 people attended this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival, with ticket and book sales significantly up on previous years. Future Tense, the first Book Festival programme to unfold under new Director Jenny Niven, tackled topics including AI, the climate crisis, capitalism to the war in the Middle East, and migration. Legendary authors including…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Margaret McDonald: ‘Jackie Kay is my absolute idol’
Margaret McDonald on her love of The Hunger Games, her favourite books of the year so far, and falling in love with Jackie Kay. The first book I remember reading: Probably not the first books I ever read in my life, but it has to be Mates Dates by Cathy Hopkins. That entire series had me in…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Lydia Travers: ‘Agatha Christie and anyone from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction was an inspiration’
Lydia Travers on her love of historical novels, her favourite books of the year so far, and being inspired by Agatha Christie. The first book I remember reading: It would have been an Enid Blyton. She was hugely popular then. I can’t remember which was the first of hers I read, but I do…
Read MoreChildren’s book review: The Highland Cowgirl and The Great Auk’s Great Escape
Izzy Alexander takes a look at two new children’s picture books by debut author Louisa MacDougall. The Highland Cowgirl by Louisa MacDougall is a delightful and imaginative story designed for young readers (age three and above). This charming book combines the enchanting landscapes of Highland Scotland with the adventurous spirit of the Wild West,…
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