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Books

Alan Warner PIC: Jayne Wright

Book review: Nothing Left to Fear From Hell, by Alan Warner

Leila Aboulela PIC: Pako Mera/Shutterstock
Leila Aboulela PIC: Pako Mera/Shutterstock

Book review: River Spirit, by Leila Aboulela

Lizzy and the Cloud by the Fan Brothers
Lizzy and the Cloud by the Fan Brothers

The Best Children's Books for the Easter Holidays

Children can learn a lot from story-writing workshops, like this one at Borders Book Festival
Children can learn a lot from story-writing workshops, like this one at Borders Book Festival

A revolutionary literacy project is helping children become published authors

Ross Wilson
Ross Wilson

The Scotsman Sessions #359: Ross Wilson

Alan Spence PIC: Lisa Ferguson
Alan Spence PIC: Lisa Ferguson

Book review: Mister Timeless Blyth, by Alan Spence

Rivers Cuomo of Weezer in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 2 July, 2005 PIC: Bryan Haraway/Getty Images
Rivers Cuomo of Weezer in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 2 July, 2005 PIC: Bryan Haraway/Getty Images

Book review: Fade Into You, by Catriona Child

Stateless, by Elizabeth Wein
Stateless, by Elizabeth Wein

The Best Books for Teens this Easter

Among other things, Linda Cracknell fixes her powers of description on the tiny, "tangly forests" of moss and lichen growing on the slopes of Sgòr Gaoith in the Cairngorms PIC: Damien Meyer / AFP via Getty Images
Among other things, Linda Cracknell fixes her powers of description on the tiny, "tangly forests" of moss and lichen growing on the slopes of Sgòr Gaoith in the Cairngorms PIC: Damien Meyer / AFP via Getty Images

Book review: Writing Landscape, by Linda Cracknell

David Wilson
David Wilson

Interview: Professor David Wilson

Gary Ferguson Pic: Carlo Paloni
Gary Ferguson Pic: Carlo Paloni

Former Royal Navy diver launches Combat Journal to help build mental resilience

John Banville PIC: Douglas Banville
John Banville PIC: Douglas Banville

Book review: The Lock-Up, by John Banville

Callum McSorley
Callum McSorley

Book review: Squeaky Clean, by Callum McSorley

Regan Penaluna PIC: Rachel Papo
Regan Penaluna PIC: Rachel Papo

Book review: How To Think Like A Woman, by Regan Penaluna

Coinneach MacLeod on Toronto book tour
Coinneach MacLeod on Toronto book tour

Coinneach MacLeod: The Hebridean Baker on tour

Nobel Prize for literature winner Kenzaburō Ōe visits the Nanjing Massacre Memorial museum in Jiangsu province, China in 2006 (Picture: China Photos/Getty Images)
Nobel Prize for literature winner Kenzaburō Ōe visits the Nanjing Massacre Memorial museum in Jiangsu province, China in 2006 (Picture: China Photos/Getty Images)

Kenzaburō Ōe: a writer of real humanity and the real Japan

Ryan J Mackay and Malcolm Cumming will be playing Davie Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart in the forthcoming National Theatre of Scotland production of Kidnapped. Image: Laurence Winram
Ryan J Mackay and Malcolm Cumming will be playing Davie Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart in the forthcoming National Theatre of Scotland production of Kidnapped. Image: Laurence Winram

Kidnapped: Turning Stevenson's adventure into a new coming-of-age stage show

Angus Peter Campbell
Angus Peter Campbell

Book review: Electricity, by Angus Peter Campbell

Benjamin Myers
Benjamin Myers

Book review: Cuddy, by Benjamin Myers

Actor Richard Rankin. Picture: Robert Perry
Actor Richard Rankin. Picture: Robert Perry

Outlander star cast as John Rebus for detective’s TV reboot

The Führer's Prophecy by number one bestselling author Brian Klein is a more-than-worthy sequel to The Counterfeit Candidate, constituting a thriller that grabs you by the scruff of the neck from the very first page.
The Führer's Prophecy by number one bestselling author Brian Klein is a more-than-worthy sequel to The Counterfeit Candidate, constituting a thriller that grabs you by the scruff of the neck from the very first page.

Ad Feature Latest book release from Top Gear director Brian Klein

Jim Carruth
Jim Carruth

Book review: ​Far Field, by Jim Carruth

JK Rowling says she “absolutely knew” that her comments and views on transgender issues would make Harry Potter fans “deeply unhappy”.
JK Rowling says she “absolutely knew” that her comments and views on transgender issues would make Harry Potter fans “deeply unhappy”.

JK Rowling: I knew views on trans issues would make Potter fans deeply unhappy

Scotland’s national poet Kathleen Jamie PIC: Robin Gillanders
Scotland’s national poet Kathleen Jamie PIC: Robin Gillanders

Festival review: StAnza, various venues, St Andrews

Merryn Glover PIC: Stewart Grant
Merryn Glover PIC: Stewart Grant

Book review: The Hidden Fires, by Merryn Glover

Em Strang PIC: Arianne Sheikh
Em Strang PIC: Arianne Sheikh

Book review: Quinn, by Em Strang

An 18th-century image of Robinson Crusoe exploring the desert island with his hand-made umbrella (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
An 18th-century image of Robinson Crusoe exploring the desert island with his hand-made umbrella (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Appalling themes run through the story of Robinson Crusoe – Laura Waddell

Crime writer Denise Mina.
Crime writer Denise Mina.

Denise Mina's Alex Morrow books to become new Scottish TV detective drama

Actress Mia Wasikowska has spoken about the 'repressive' pressure to conform to 'an image that will get me jobs' (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Actress Mia Wasikowska has spoken about the 'repressive' pressure to conform to 'an image that will get me jobs' (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Artists should resist the pressure to conform and make a profit – Laura Waddell

Tatjana Seran performs as Lady Macbeth during a dress rehearsal of Guiseppe Verdi's opera Macbeth, directed by Peter Stein and conducted by Ricardo Muti, in Salzburg, 2011. PIC: Wildbild/AFP via Getty Images
Tatjana Seran performs as Lady Macbeth during a dress rehearsal of Guiseppe Verdi's opera Macbeth, directed by Peter Stein and conducted by Ricardo Muti, in Salzburg, 2011. PIC: Wildbild/AFP via Getty Images

Book review: Lady MacBethad, by Isabelle Schuler

Eleanor Catton PIC: Murdo MacLeod
Eleanor Catton PIC: Murdo MacLeod

Book review: Birnam Wood, by Eleanor Catton

Steven Veerapen PIC: Kirsty Anderson
Steven Veerapen PIC: Kirsty Anderson

Book review: Of Judgement Fallen, by Steven Veerapen

The excuse that Ian Fleming was a product of his time is valid – but only to a point (Picture: McKeown/Express/Getty Images)
The excuse that Ian Fleming was a product of his time is valid – but only to a point (Picture: McKeown/Express/Getty Images)

As a fan of Bond novels, the real question is whether ‘woke’ edits go far enough

The toppled statue of Edward Colston now lies on display in M Shed museum in Bristol (Picture: Polly Thomas/Getty Images)
The toppled statue of Edward Colston now lies on display in M Shed museum in Bristol (Picture: Polly Thomas/Getty Images)

British empire can be looked at afresh after debate over slavers' statues

Nairobi, 13 December, 1963: Jomo Kenyatta, leader of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), holds the official document of Kenyan independence as he becomes President of Kenya. To his right is the Duke of Edinburgh, representing Queen Elisabeth for the ceremonies. PIC: AFP via Getty Images
Nairobi, 13 December, 1963: Jomo Kenyatta, leader of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), holds the official document of Kenyan independence as he becomes President of Kenya. To his right is the Duke of Edinburgh, representing Queen Elisabeth for the ceremonies. PIC: AFP via Getty Images

Book review: Untied Kingdom, by Stuart Ward

Olympic Gold Medallist, Greg Rutherford reads from the 'World's loudest ever comic strip', which is part of a World Book Day edition of the Beano, as part of the comic's 'Libraries Aloud' reading initiative in partnership with the National Literary Trust.
Olympic Gold Medallist, Greg Rutherford reads from the 'World's loudest ever comic strip', which is part of a World Book Day edition of the Beano, as part of the comic's 'Libraries Aloud' reading initiative in partnership with the National Literary Trust.

When is World Book Day 2023? What is it? Easy costumes, activities, books

World Book Day 2023 falls on March 2, 2023, so here are some Scotland-inspired costumes for you to try out.
World Book Day 2023 falls on March 2, 2023, so here are some Scotland-inspired costumes for you to try out.

World Book Day: 9 Cool costumes from Scottish authors or Scotland-related books

Leah Hazard Pic: Marilena Vlachopoulou
Leah Hazard Pic: Marilena Vlachopoulou

Glasgow midwife writes Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began

Kevin P Gilday
Kevin P Gilday

The Scotsman Sessions #353: Kevin P Gilday

Maxim Znek's colleciton of short stories was written in prison in Belarus, where he is still serving a ten year sentence.
Maxim Znek's colleciton of short stories was written in prison in Belarus, where he is still serving a ten year sentence.

Scottish publisher dilemma over stories penned in Belarusian jail

Stuart MacBride PIC: Mark Mainz
Stuart MacBride PIC: Mark Mainz

Book review: The Dead Of Winter, by Stuart MacBride

A pensive Sean Connery and You Only Live Twice co-star Donald Pleasence have perhaps learned about political correctness (Picture: Danjaq/Eon/Ua/Kobal/Shutterstock)
A pensive Sean Connery and You Only Live Twice co-star Donald Pleasence have perhaps learned about political correctness (Picture: Danjaq/Eon/Ua/Kobal/Shutterstock)

Editing James Bond books for 'sensitivity' rather misses the point – Aidan Smith

Sebastian Barry PIC: Joel Saget / AFP via Getty Images
Sebastian Barry PIC: Joel Saget / AFP via Getty Images

Book review: Old God’s Time, by Sebastian Barry

Books by Roald Dahl have been edited to remove controversial words with a modern audience in mind (Picture: Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Getty Images)
Books by Roald Dahl have been edited to remove controversial words with a modern audience in mind (Picture: Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Getty Images)

Cancel culture is getting out of hand – Christine Jardine

Sir Sean Connery as James Bond in You Only Live Twice
Sir Sean Connery as James Bond in You Only Live Twice

James Bond novels rewritten to remove racial references

Following significant backlash, Puffin has announced it will publish original Roald Dahl works alongside rewritten texts in new collection following a backlash over censorship claims after it was announced some books would be rewritten.
Following significant backlash, Puffin has announced it will publish original Roald Dahl works alongside rewritten texts in new collection following a backlash over censorship claims after it was announced some books would be rewritten.

Original Roald Dahl works to be published alongside rewritten texts

Joseph Fasano posing with copies of his book 'The Swallows of Lunetto'. Joseph who flew to Scotland to promote his latest novel enjoyed a "very funny moment" when he noticed the stranger sitting next to him on the flight was reading his new book.
Joseph Fasano posing with copies of his book 'The Swallows of Lunetto'. Joseph who flew to Scotland to promote his latest novel enjoyed a "very funny moment" when he noticed the stranger sitting next to him on the flight was reading his new book.

Author enjoys ‘magical moment’ on plane to Scotland - here's why

Aleksandar Hemon PIC: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images
Aleksandar Hemon PIC: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images

Book review: The World And All That It Holds, by Aleksandar Hemon

Fern Brady PIC: Raphael Neal
Fern Brady PIC: Raphael Neal

Book review: Strong Character, by Fern Brady

Kapka Kassabova PIC: Geraint Lewis/Shutterstock
Kapka Kassabova PIC: Geraint Lewis/Shutterstock

Book review: Elixir: In the Valley at the End of Time, by Kapka Kassabova

Rishi Sunak should be thinking about more serious matters than the wording of children's books (Picture: Justin Tallis/pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Rishi Sunak should be thinking about more serious matters than the wording of children's books (Picture: Justin Tallis/pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Rishi Sunak is the one who needs to stop gobblefunking around – Scotsman comment

Undated handout file photo of author Roald Dahl. The latest editions of Mr Dahl's children's books have been edited to remove language which could be deemed offensive. References within the classic children's books relating to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race have been cut and rewritten, the Daily Telegraph reported. Issue date: Saturday February 18, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ARTS Dahl. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Undated handout file photo of author Roald Dahl. The latest editions of Mr Dahl's children's books have been edited to remove language which could be deemed offensive. References within the classic children's books relating to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race have been cut and rewritten, the Daily Telegraph reported. Issue date: Saturday February 18, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ARTS Dahl. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

It's not 'woke' to think bullying isn't funny anymore

Author Roald Dahl. The latest editions of Mr Dahl's children's books have been edited to remove language which could be deemed offensive. Picture: PA/PA Wire
Author Roald Dahl. The latest editions of Mr Dahl's children's books have been edited to remove language which could be deemed offensive. Picture: PA/PA Wire

Rishi Sunak condemns rewriting of Roald Dahl's books as 'gobblefunk'

The latest editions of Mr Dahl's children's books have been edited to remove language which could be deemed offensive. References within the classic children's books relating to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race have been cut and rewritten, the Daily Telegraph reported. Issue date: Saturday February 18, 2023.
The latest editions of Mr Dahl's children's books have been edited to remove language which could be deemed offensive. References within the classic children's books relating to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race have been cut and rewritten, the Daily Telegraph reported. Issue date: Saturday February 18, 2023.

Critics reject ‘absurd censorship’ after Roald Dahl’s books rewritten

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Paisley Book Festival in Renfrewshire, where she chaired a discussion with author Chitra Ramaswamy about her book Home Lands. Picture date: Friday February 17, 2023.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Paisley Book Festival in Renfrewshire, where she chaired a discussion with author Chitra Ramaswamy about her book Home Lands. Picture date: Friday February 17, 2023.

Nicola Sturgeon tells audience she hopes to spend more time at book festivals

Stephanie Maia and her daughter Valentina experimen with dry ice at Summerhall, one of the venues in this year's Edinburgh Science Festival. Picture: Ian Georgeson
Stephanie Maia and her daughter Valentina experimen with dry ice at Summerhall, one of the venues in this year's Edinburgh Science Festival. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Edinburgh Science Festival reveals line-up for 2023 event

A young visitor holds a magic wand during the opening of the European exhibition of Harry Potter in Vienna. Picture: Andrea Klamar-Hutkova/AFP via Getty Images
A young visitor holds a magic wand during the opening of the European exhibition of Harry Potter in Vienna. Picture: Andrea Klamar-Hutkova/AFP via Getty Images

People are boycotting Hogwarts Legacy because of J.K. Rowling and so am I

Martin Patience PIC: Dave Bull
Martin Patience PIC: Dave Bull

Book review: ​​The Darker the Night, by Martin Patience

Martin MacInnes
Martin MacInnes

Book review: In Ascension, by Martin MacInnes

Paul Harding
Paul Harding

Book review: This Other Eden, by Paul Harding

Douglas Bruton
Douglas Bruton

Book review: With Or Without Angels, by Douglas Bruton

Jenny Niven is chair of Literature Alliance Scotland.
Jenny Niven is chair of Literature Alliance Scotland.

Report reveals Scottish literary and publishing workers on ‘financial precipice’

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks at a press conference. Picture: Mathis Wienand/Getty Images
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks at a press conference. Picture: Mathis Wienand/Getty Images

Woman who claims she took Harry's virginity 'surprised' to appear in book

Salman Rushdie PIC: Getty Images
Salman Rushdie PIC: Getty Images

Book review: Victory City, by Salman Rushdie

Nick Barley has announced his departure as director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Picture: Robin Mair
Nick Barley has announced his departure as director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Picture: Robin Mair

Edinburgh International Book Festival director Nick Barley to step down

Auditing one's collection of books helps free up space for more (Picture: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Auditing one's collection of books helps free up space for more (Picture: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Getting rid of unwanted books is a revealing process – Laura Waddell

Oisín Breen PIC: Robyn Thomas
Oisín Breen PIC: Robyn Thomas

Book review: Lilies on the deathbed of Étaín and Other Poems, by Oisín Breen

Victoria MacKenzie
Victoria MacKenzie

Book review: For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy..., by Victoria MacKenzie

Crime writer Ian Rankin. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Crime writer Ian Rankin. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Ian Rankin on the Rebus stage thriller that may never be performed in Edinburgh

Actors Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in the hit adaptation of the Outlander books, which have sold 25million copies worldwide. PIC: Jason Bell/2021 Starz Entertainment.
Actors Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in the hit adaptation of the Outlander books, which have sold 25million copies worldwide. PIC: Jason Bell/2021 Starz Entertainment.

Diana Gabaldon defends Outlander amid claims of 'deeply distorted' history

Tim Parks PIC: John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images
Tim Parks PIC: John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images

Book review: Hotel Milano, by Tim Parks

Caroline Steed PIC: Julie Broadfoot
Caroline Steed PIC: Julie Broadfoot

Book reviews: Home, by Cailean Steed | The Silence Project, by Carole Hailey

American journalist, abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass, working at his desk in the late 1870s, was a fan of Robert Burns' poetry (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
American journalist, abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass, working at his desk in the late 1870s, was a fan of Robert Burns' poetry (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Kenny MacAskill: Why Robert Burns does not deserve to be shamed over slavery

Outlander author Diana Gabaldon has suggested the decline of 'Scotch' as an alternative to 'Scots' or 'Scottish' coincided with rising support for the SNP
Outlander author Diana Gabaldon has suggested the decline of 'Scotch' as an alternative to 'Scots' or 'Scottish' coincided with rising support for the SNP

Scots or Scotch: what does Robot Robert Burns say? – Scotsman comment

Mario Vargas Llosa PIC: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Mario Vargas Llosa PIC: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Book review: The Call of the Tribe: Essays, by Mario Vargas Llosa

Sam Heughan speaks about his memoir Waypoints
Sam Heughan speaks about his memoir Waypoints

Sam Heughan talks about memoir Waypoints and Outlander season 7

The Scotsman Top Stories

Police and security staff escort a protester from the public gallery during First Minister's Questions. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Police and security staff escort a protester from the public gallery during First Minister's Questions. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Holyrood bosses announce crackdown after protesters disrupt FMQs

The deposit return scheme (DRS) could be paused by Humza Yousaf. Picture: PA
The deposit return scheme (DRS) could be paused by Humza Yousaf. Picture: PA

Humza Yousaf considering pausing deposit return scheme

New First Minister Humza Yousaf. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
New First Minister Humza Yousaf. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Analysis: Pity the poor schoolkids forced to stay and watch this FMQs