Read Scotland 2018 discussion

The theme is: Fantastic Fiction

Read any fantastically fictional book - either set in Scotland or by a Scottish author - and add it to your reading challenge.

Nominate a book under this theme for the group to discuss. (Please try to use the html link to your book so there's no mix ups.) At the end of next week, we'll vote for our favourite...

My nomination is A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay. The blurb on Amazon states "A Voyage to Arcturus is a novel by Scottish writer David Lindsay, first published in 1920. It combines fantasy, philosophy, and science fiction in an exploration of the nature of good and evil and their relationship with existence. It has been described by critic and philosopher Colin Wilson as the "greatest novel of the twentieth century", and was a central influence on C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy. Also J. R. R. Tolkien said he read the book "with avidity", and praised it as a work of philosophy, religion, and morality".

Here's a fantasy I was interested in reading myself (published 2016)...
Unicorn Magic

Or a couple of older fantasy classics by George MacDonald...
At the Back of the North Wind
Lilith

Resurrection Men by Ian Rankin. Rankin is at the top of my list for Scottish authors and Resurrection Men is one of his best!

Ellen wrote: "Resurrection Men by Ian Rankin. Rankin is at the top of my list for Scottish authors and Resurrection Men is one of his best!"

An excellent book, but I don't think it qualifies as "fantastic fiction"?

John wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Resurrection Men by Ian Rankin. Rankin is at the top of my list for Scottish authors and Resurrection Men is one of his best!"

An excellent book, but I don't think it qualifies as "f..."

As long as it's not true crime, I think it counts. :)

Ah, I think myself and Tarissa have both interpreted "fantastic" in its more formal definition, eg imaginative or fanciful, remote from reality.

Given that I have misunderstood it, I'd like to withdraw my nomination and come up with a new one.

John wrote: "Ah, I think myself and Tarissa have both interpreted "fantastic" in its more formal definition, eg imaginative or fanciful, remote from reality.

Given that I have misunderstood it, I'd like to wit..."

I didn't think it through! I just meant any fiction you find fantastic, sorry for the confusion! Nominate anything you like :)

No problem Ellen.

I nominate Lanark by Alasdair Gray.

I'll stick with Resurrection Men by Ian Rankin.

Northanger Abbey, the modern re-imagining version by Val McDermid of course!

My nomination is Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Lorna in this group has already read it and it peaked my interest. My friend also read it recently and absolutely loved it :)

My nomination is a Sci-Fi novel by Scottish author Gary Gibson called Final Days

Ellen wrote: "My nomination is Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Lorna in this group has already read it and it peaked my interest. My friend also read it rec..."

I put in my request for this book on CD at my library. I don't know if i'll like it. It seems to be a far cry from Rankin or MacBride...but I'll give it a shot.

Tracy wrote: "Northanger Abbey, the modern re-imagining version by Val McDermid of course!"
I've enjoyed this one twice!

Ellen wrote: "Ellen wrote: "My nomination is Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Lorna in this group has already read it and it peaked my interest. My friend al..."

It does sound a bit different, not usually my chosen genre, but I've heard lots of good things and I'm intrigued. We'll have to compare notes :)

That's great everyone, I'll start setting up the poll....

Hey everyone, your fab books are now in the group poll.

Go vote here: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/4...

Its already looking like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is going to be the clear winner, so I've started reading it now. Snowed in here in Glasgow at the moment, although two wee grandchildren stranded with us, so there's probably not going to be much time for reading. How is everyone else being affected by the weather at the moment?

John wrote: "Its already looking like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is going to be the clear winner, so I've started reading it now. Snowed in here in Glasgow at the moment, although two w..."

Stay safe, John, I've seen crazy photos of snow in Glasgow, it's unreal! Your grandkids will be enjoying it no doubt :) If you have time, enjoy our new read...

John wrote: "Its already looking like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is going to be the clear winner, so I've started reading it now. Snowed in here in Glasgow at the moment, although two w..."
Wishing you such good luck! Here in Boston (US) we are enjoying a quiet day before a possible "beast from the Northeast" tomorrow. The forecast guess at the moment is rain and heavy wind(gusts from 55-85, not kilt wearing weather!).

Kirk wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Northanger Abbey, the modern re-imagining version by Val McDermid of course!"
I've enjoyed this one twice!"

Oh it must be good then! Glad I've placed a reservation on it at the library.

Tracy wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Northanger Abbey, the modern re-imagining version by Val McDermid of course!"
I've enjoyed this one twice!"

Oh it must be good then! Glad I've placed a reservation on it..."

Love the library - enjoy it Tracy :)

I've sent out a message but just to clarify that our voted for book is Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

You can join in the discussion at: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and hope it lives up to the high praise I've heard about it...