Books
The Good Books, Kirsty Logan: ‘I am rereading Doppelganger by Naomi Klein, it’s the perfect brain food’
We speak to Scottish author Kirsty Logan about her favourite books, the authors who inspire her, and what she’s reading now, ahead of her appearance at Granite Noir. The first book I remember reading: The Dribblesome Teapots by Norman Hunter, a collection of quirky, weird, funny little fairytales set in the fantastical land of Inkrediblania. …
Read MoreBook Lovers Bookshop: We speak to the author behind the UK’s first brick and mortar romance-only bookshop
Romance may be one of the biggest money-making genres in the publishing industry, but it has historically been dismissed in literary circles due to outdated and biased opinions on its content and craft. We spoke to Caden Armstrong, the 24-year-old romance author of Truthfully, Yours and owner of the UK’s first brick and mortar romance-only…
Read MorePaula Hawkins to headline crime writing festival Granite Noir
Paula Hawkins and Nicci French are among the authors due to make headline appearances at crime writing festival Granite Noir. New York Times best sellers Lucy Foley and Chris Whitaker, podcasters Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling, award-winning comedian and Gentleman Thief Alasdair Beckett King, and singer-songwriter and author James Yorkston, will also be at the…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Fiona Watson: ‘As a historian I adored Hilary Mantel’s commitment to research and being faithful to the facts’
Fiona Watson on reading the Narnia books as a child, her favourite book of the year and being inspired by Hilary Mantel. The first book I remember reading: The one that springs to mind is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as I read all the Narnia books when I was nine or…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Mhairi Collie: ‘I have been an Outlander fan for a long time’
Mhairi Collie on being inspired by Alexander McCall Smith, not making it through A Little Life by Hanya, Yanagihara and her love of the Outlander series. The first book I remember reading: I think it would have to be an Enid Blyton – probably the Famous Five. I still remember all the different characters…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Alan Tylor: ‘Muriel Spark epitomised what a writer should and can be if you stick to your principles’
Alan Taylor on being inspired by Muriel Spark, the novel he most recommends and knowing if he’ll stick to a book after the first page. The first book I remember reading: I learned to read with a series of books in which the two main characters were called Janet and John. These just happened…
Read MorePalace of Holyroodhouse’s dramatic past revealed in first official history ever published
‘If these walls could talk’ might be the most fitting idiom when thinking about The Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s journey from 12th-century abbey to official Scottish residence of His Majesty The King is peppered with royalty, glamour and even murder. Mary, Queen of Scots spent just six years at the Palace in the 1560s, but…
Read MoreHollywood star James Cosmo makes sell-out appearance at Wigtown Book Festival
Hollywood star James Cosmo made a sell-out appearance during the first weekend of the Wigtown Book Festival. The Braveheart actor told audiences about his long career, starring in everything from Highlander to Game of Thrones, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Trainspotting. The fact that he was a big man and an accomplished rider proved to…
Read MoreWigtown Book Festival gets underway with The Hebridean Baker, Sue Lawrence and Irvine Welsh
Scotland’s National Book Town will burst into life with the start of the annual Wigtown Book Festival this week. Well-known names at this year’s event include poet Pam Ayres, The Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod, food legend Sue Lawrence, Scotland’s National Chef Gary MacLean, Former BBC Moscow correspondent Martin Sixsmith, author Irvine Welsh. There will also…
Read MoreThe Good Books, Jenni Fagan: ‘I found Alice Walker at a really pivotal moment in my reading life’
Author and poet Jenni Fagan on finding her love of reading as a child, being inspired by Alice Walker and the book she always recommends. The first book I remember reading: I was reading from a really early age, I remember being in class when I was five years old and being so annoyed…
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