Read Scotland 2017 discussion

Hi! So I only found this group today (September 5th) but I'm really into it. So far this year I've read 13 Scottish set/ Scottish authored books-

Jack and the Devil's Purse: Scottish Traveller Tales - normally I'm not into short stories but I love love the 'Scottish folk devilry' trope. I did learn from this that I shouldn't read short stories all in one go like a novel, however.

QueerBashing - amazing, witty, crushing. About exactly what it sounds like. I'm going to be rereading this one a lot over my life I think.

Not My Father's Son - the first in a few Alan Cumming authored reads. It frustrates me that he can be such a good actor *and* a good author. I've also listened to some of the audio book, which he reads, and it's entrancing even though the story is very stressful.

Be Near Me - This is a reread, but I'm afraid I didn't like it any more than the first time I read it. Uncomfortable narrative about a priest who is sort of falsely accused of child abuse, but definitely made a lot of bad decisions he should have known better than.

Tommy's Tale - The second of my Alan Cumming books. His only fiction book, the experiences of the narrator are so wild and far from my frame of reference, but it has a great tone and is fun to read.

44 Scotland Street - Was scraping the barrel of Scottish books at my friend's local library. The style of this author wasn't really for me, but I knew that going in.

The Professor of Truth - I find James Robertson books to be incredibly compelling, and this was no exception. The story of a professor's journey to uncover what really happened when his wife and child died in a plane crash, and how much the truth really matters anyway.

The Crow Road - The descriptions of Iain Bank's books all sounded to bizarre to me, but I was glad I tried this one at least. A very charming sort of mystery, it was also about so much more of humanity. I loved it.

To Be Continued - another James Robertson book! His newest in fact. Definitely at his most absurd, but missing none of the heart and existential reflection one expects from him.

His Bloody Project - everyone loved this and I did not, but that's okay.

The Highland Witch - Great concept, weird execution. Entertaining, but not much more.

You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams: My Life in Stories and Pictures - and my third Alan Cumming book of the year. More picture heavy than word heavy so it feels a little cheaty, but it was very sweet.

The Bonnie Road - Set in the little Scottish town that I went to university, St Andrews, and where I fell in love with Scotland as a whole. This book was more than just nostalgia fodder though, it was a beautiful and well woven story about magic and faith and witches and history and much more. I highly recommend it.


So that's what I've read so far! Next on my list is probably Dragonfly in Amber the next book after Outlander . To be honest I read Outlander in 2012 and I didn't love it, but I want to give the series a second chance.

Ali wrote: "Hi! So I only found this group today (September 5th) but I'm really into it. So far this year I've read 13 Scottish set/ Scottish authored books-

[book:Jack and the Devil's Purse: Scottish Travell..."

Wonderful list, Ali! And welcome,to,the group❤️

Fab list Ali, I shall be looking at some of these books. I have His Bloody Project on the shelf, but it's really the husbands.

I'll definitely be looking out for some of these, I like the sound of the first one. Glad you liked To Br Continued - I think James Robertson is a fantastic author :)

Melanie - your husband need never know! ;)

The Bonnie Road sounds like a good one. I just looked it up and found the Kindle edition at a bargain price, so I am adding it now to my list. Thank you!