Books
What has made Room 101 and Big Brother normal
Author Dorian Lynskey believes that every generation finds aspects of George Orwell’s 1984 that resonate with their own political times. Today we have the normalisation of lies and what the Trump administration has called ‘alternative facts’. Another major issue anticipated by the book, published in 1949 and now in its 70th anniversary year, is the…
Read MoreYou can have your Cake – and read it
Refrigerator Cake is an enjoyable, humorous and contemporary collection of short stories from young Falkirk-based author, Dickson Telfer. With subject matter which guides the reader through subjects as diverse as teaching the class from hell to a 92-year-old man’s quest for peace, this is not one for the fainthearted, but Telfer’s humour will resonate with…
Read MoreA fascinating artistic trail on European travels
Renowned Edinburgh-based artist and gallery director Richard Demarco takes us on the road to nowhere in his tales and accompanying sketches detailing his travels around Europe. Complete with a full Italian translation, this book is an insight into how ‘the road’ has inspired his work throughout the years and how a journey can be central…
Read MoreCelebrating the life of a Scottish painter
Edwin G Lucas (1911-1990) was born and spent his whole life in Edinburgh. A prolific painter, he was heavily influenced by the surrealists, a style he blended with his own individual methods to produce colourful and fascinating paintings. The book reveals the little-known story of the Scottish artist who stopped painting for almost thirty years…
Read MoreSpending 23 years bringing Landward to our screens
Wheels Rolling at Eight is the autobiography of former BBC Scotland television producer Arthur Anderson. It’s both humorous and informative. Starting life on the family farm in South West Scotland, Arthur left school at the age of 16 to join The Scotsman. Stints at the Scottish Farmer and the then Glasgow Herald ensued before he…
Read MoreA handy guide to walking Fife’s Pilgrim Way
Officially opened in July 2019, the Fife Pilgrim Way has two starting points, the first in Culross and the second in North Queensferry. From these towns the path snakes its way across Fife to the ancient city of St Andrews, following in the footsteps of our medieval predecessors. In this essential companion, Ian Bradley brings…
Read MoreA guide to guns and rifles in the 21st century
With stunning photography throughout, British Gunmakers of the 21st Century is a magnificent volume which showcases the variety of British-made guns and rifles available today. Dallas, an advisor to Holts Auctioneers, provides an illuminating history of the top notch gun manufacturers who still employ a significant element of hand craftsmanship whilst embracing new technologies. For…
Read MoreWar correspondent to deliver annual Magnusson Lecture
Veteran international war correspondent and photojournalist David Pratt has been invited to deliver this year’s Magnusson Lecture at the Wigtown Book Festival. Over the past four decades he has offered understanding and insights into the people and the tumultuous events that shape today’s world. A regular contributor to the BBC, contributing foreign editor with the…
Read MoreMonsters, goblins, Nessie and more in a fun book
An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Castle Legends comes from Carnegie-award-winning children’s author Theresa Breslin and artist Kate Leiper, who was longlisted for the Kate Greenway Medal. This is a stunning book of tales centred on some of Scotland’s iconic castles. Secret passages at Edinburgh Castle, mysterious monsters at Glamis, grumpy goblins in Caerlaverock and the…
Read MoreThree women, their lives and relationships
Lyn Miller explores the relationship between three women as they support each other through major life challenges. Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the central female characters – there’s Marion, a single mum and Edinburgh GP; Nyaga, a nurse missing her home in Botswana; and Rose, Marion’s daughter who recently started…
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