Sunrise by the Sea will bring some smiles and joy

A fantastically quirky yet moving story, Sunrise by the Sea features introvert Marisa Rosso, a young girl bound by grief for her recently deceased Italian grandfather. Through the suggestion of her rather obnoxious flatmate, she moves to a tidal island off the Cornish coast to get some peace and clarity. But upon arrival she realises…

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There’s more to this tale than just Scottish romance

I was put off by the jacket of this book, but in this case the old adage rings true. What may at first glance appear to be a romantic novel is actually a tale full of crime, politics and intrigue, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh in the 1740s. Yes, there is a romantic element…

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Bringing Scotland’s rich history to life in verse

Scottish History in Verse is an anthology of poetry charting Scotland’s journey through the high and low points of its history using the medium of verse. This unique poetic saunter through the centuries also includes a useful little explanation of the background and the events that led to the penning of each poem. This book…

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A dark thriller set in a fictional highland village

Partial to Tartan Noir and a dram by the fire? Then this is a no-brainer. Alan Gillespie’s prose is as intense as a peated single malt (a seriously macabre tone is set from the off with brutal descriptions of a cat lying on the road). Set in a fictional Highland village, there are more twists…

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A good read that’s definitely up to par

Know someone with an enviable handicap? Add this to their list of Christmas presents. Showcasing 14 of the most beautiful links courses in Scotland including Turnberry, Carnoustie and the much-loved Old Course, a stunning collection of photos (including drone shots of each hole) feature alongside interesting historical factoids of each location. It reminds you of…

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Finding romance in Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens

Dedicated ‘to the lovers who vowed to wed in secret during lockdown’, Sara Sheridan hints at the intense romance of this piece of historical fiction from the off – and it lives up to expectation. Enlightenment Edinburgh is in the throes of tumultuous change, and newly widowed Elizabeth finds solace in the city’s Botanic Gardens.…

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Alternative past with Scotland under Nazi occupation

Few can write as evocatively of our country’s past as Alistair Moffat. Stepping away from his usual historical tomes, he reimagines WWII through this extraordinary piece of speculative fiction, taking you on a journey to investigate what might have been had Nazi Germany won the war. Set in a disturbing post-1945 world where German occupation…

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A gripping read that will hook in the young adults

As a young reader, few things gripped me more than a good mystery. I devoured the Enid Blyton books, especially Island of Adventure, as well as the Swallows and Amazon series, then moved on to the Hardy Boys and the odd Nancy Drew, and especially loved those that had a hint of the supernatural about…

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The Whisky Muse II leaves the reader with a warm glow

Whisky is, quite probably, Scotland’s greatest contribution to the world in terms of food and drink. The power of whisky is a curious thing, as it can make one person weep, and another one sing. Robin Laing, who is a songwriter, poet and performer takes the reader on a lyrical tour of the history and…

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Swapping Glasgow to Skye in the formative years

One of the most fascinating aspects of reading  autobiographical books about Scotland is learning the life experiences of others in their formative years. Whether you’ve grown up in pleasant suburbia, on a country estate, or even a council house, people from all walks of life have different stories to tell. Raymond Moore’s Skye Stories –…

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