Books
The Good Books, Neil Ansell: ‘It was a revelation to discover that nature writing could also be literature’
Neil Ansell on the books of his childhood, the best book he has read this year, and the book that has been his ‘north star’ ever since he discovered it. The first book I remember reading: The earliest reading experience I can clearly recall is of a Dr Seuss book, The Cat in the…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Kristie De Garis: ‘If I like the sound of a book I’ll either buy it in the next six minutes or not at all’
Drystone waller Kristie De Garis on the books of her childhood, her love of O’Brother by John Niven and why life is too short to keep reading the books you don’t enjoy. The first book I remember reading: Slugs by David Greenberg. A children’s book that could only have been published in the 80s.…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Natalie Jayne Clark: ‘I raced through Lessons in Chemistry, it’s sobering the amount of discrimination women still face today’
Perthshire author Natalie Jayne Clark on the book she’s most looking forward to, her love of Iain Banks and why Lessons in Chemistry is the best novel she’s read this year. The first book I remember reading: There were many beautiful picture books that I spent hours lost in, tracing all the details, like…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Alessandra Thom: ‘Daphne Du Maurier is a master of tension and atmosphere’
Aberdeenshire author Alessandra Thom talks her books of the year, the authors who have inspired her and the books of her childhood. The first book I remember reading: I remember being about five and reading a Biff, Chip and Kipper book out loud, and realising I could read. But the first novels I really…
Read MoreThe Good Books, V. E .Schwab: ‘I’m a very reluctant DNF-er when it comes to reading’
Best selling author V. E .Schwab was born in California and currently splits her time between Denver, Colorado and Edinburgh. She got her masters in depictions of monstrosity in medieval art at the University of Edinburgh. She chats to us about her favourite authors, what she’s reading now and why she always likes to finish…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Foday Mannah: ‘I always recommend Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stewart, it’s a stunning novel’
Foday Mannah on reading as a child, the author who has inspired him, what he’s reading now. The first book I remember reading: Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat comes to mind as do the Hardy Boys detective novels written by Franklin W. Dixon. But the standout from childhood has to be…
Read MoreScottish author Val McDermid awarded an honorary degree from University of Edinburgh
Scottish author Val McDermid has been awarded an honorary degree from University of Edinburgh. Originally from Kirkcaldy, Val is one of the UK’s most accomplished and respected novelists, an international number one bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than forty languages and sold over 19 million copies worldwide. Her multi-award-winning series and…
Read MoreThe Good Books, David Goodman: ‘It’s a shameful thing to admit for an English Literature graduate, but I couldn’t get through Ulysses’
David Goodman on not being able to get through Ulysses, how Iain Banks inspired him, and the books of his childhood. The first book I remember reading: If we’re talking children’s books, it’s probably Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, which I read dozens of times with my parents. But the first…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Richard Strachan: ‘Terry Pratchett is one of the funniest writers in the English language’
Richard Strachan on Terry Pratchett, how Ted Hughes inspired him and the book he’s reading now. The first book I remember reading: This feels so far back in the mists of time that I’m not sure if it’s completely accurate, but other than picture books it was probably one of Richmal Crompton’s excellent Just…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Claire Wilson: ‘I learned my craft reading Stephen King from an early age’
Claire Wilson on the books of her childhood and how Stephen King and Val McDermid inspired her writing. The first book I remember reading: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. Maybe in primary three? My mum took me and my brothers to the library every weekend, where I then read everything he…
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