Books
Book Review: ‘Annie’s Boy’
Annie’s Boy Gary Todd New Holland Publishers [review rating=”4″ align = “left”] A WELL-KNOWN name in the boxing world, Gary Todd lets the reader get up close and personal, not dodging any blows in his new memoir, Annie’s Boy. Telling the story of his earlier days, over a span of 15 years, he focuses on…
Read MoreScotland’s lighthouses star in new book
AN ARTIST and author has spent the past five years drawing illustrations of more than 350 lighthouses surrounding Britain and Ireland. Roger O’Reilly will release a book early next year, and is already selling prints online. All Scotland’s lights are included in the project, including famous sites such as Bell Rock and Eilean Mór. His…
Read MoreBook review: ‘Confessions of a Highland Art Dealer’
Confessions of a Highland Art Dealer Tony Davidson Woodwose Books SPRINKLED with anecdotes of a life in the north, art dealer Tony Davidson paints a portrait of his colourful existence with local artists. He gives the reader an equal sense of times past and a true love for the creative community that he hosted at…
Read MoreGlasgow’s Bookface ‘Sip & Swap’ welcomes Alan Parks
WRITER Alan Parks, the winner of last year’s McIlvanney Prize at the Bloody Scotland book festival, will be the guest at this month’s Bookface “Sip & Swap” in Glasgow. Parks will speak to journalist Maggie Barry about May God Forgive, his fifth novel to star Harry McCoy. Bookface’s events give guests the chance to hear…
Read MoreSir Walter Scott’s ‘Rob Roy’ manuscript to go on show
AUTHOR Sir Walter Scott’s manuscript for his novel Rob Roy will go on display at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh from March. The manuscript, which hasn’t been on show to the public for at least a century, is written in Scott’s own hand. The copy of Rob Roy was bought a year ago…
Read MoreLeighton Library emptied ahead of refit
ALL the books have been removed from Leighton Library in Dunblane ahead of a major restoration project. Around 4,500 books are stored at Scotland’s oldest purpose-built library, which opened in 1687. The oldest book in the collection dates back to 1504, with many of the volumes coming from the private collection of Bishop Robert Leighton.…
Read MoreScotland’s National Book Awards finalists named
THE shortlist for Scotland’s National Book Awards has been unveiled by The Saltire Society. Authors will compete across six categories – fiction, non-fiction, research, history, poetry, and first book. Prizes will also be awarded in three categories for publishers, emerging publishers, and cover designs. Sarah Mason, director of the Saltire Society, said: “Scotland’s National Book…
Read MoreScottish Book Week begins with animal vote
SCOTTISH Book Week gets underway today, with readers having until midnight to vote for their favourite animal in fiction. The chimpanzees at Edinburgh Zoo have even got in on the act, with characters including Gnasher, Paddington, and Tigger competing for the title. The winning animal will be named later this week. Marc Lambert, chief executive…
Read MoreHighlands’ folklore and fantasy captured in new book
ARTISTS Alastair Laidlaw and Christine Marsden have dipped into the Highlands’ folklore and fantasy for their latest book. They have combined landscape photography with fantasy images and text by writers Roberta Edwards and James A Whittaker. Laidlaw and Marsden have been working on the book for the past 17 years, since moving to Fort Augustus…
Read MoreTobermory Book Festival sets sail on Friday
BROADCASTER Sally Magnusson tops the bill at this year’s Tobermory Book Festival, which begins on Friday on Mull. Food and travel writer Ghillie Basan – who shared recipes in February’s Scottish Field magazine – will host a dinner on the opening night. Fellow foodies Ailidh Forlan and Sally MacColl will also discuss their work over…
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