Read Scotland discussion

Did this last year and hope to do it again this year.
Starting my year with Lanark goodness knows what I will make of it.

Here is a link to my Scottish Bookshelf for this year so far. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I need to research more books, me thinks.

Melanie wrote: "Did this last year and hope to do it again this year.
Starting my year with Lanark goodness knows what I will make of it.

Here is a link to my Scottish Bookshelf for this year so f..."

Wow Melanie, you are so organised!

Haha John. I try to be.

John wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Did this last year and hope to do it again this year.
Starting my year with Lanark goodness knows what I will make of it.

Here is a link to my Scottish Bookshelf fo..."

Ditto, my thoughts exactly! I don't even know what day of the week it is :)

Nice list. I read The White Company last year, and really enjoyed it. I hope you find it just as fun to read!

Elliot wrote: "Nice list. I read The White Company last year, and really enjoyed it. I hope you find it just as fun to read!"

Yes, I have high hopes, going to read it for Victober this year.

1. Agnes Moor's Wild Knight



This is a historical romance written by a female author of colour, I am trying to up my reading of non-white authors this year from 25% to about 40% so was delighted to find this. Only a short novella, but if you like steamy romance, then this may be for you.

Book 2



Considered "the" Scottish book of the 20th century by many, I have had this book on my TBR for years. And by years, I mean a decade. I am not often intimidated by books but this book has made hesitant to pick it up. Now that I read it though, I am so glad did.

This is definitely one of those books that has a "specialised appeal" rather than a universal one. More plainly put: This is not for everyone. I adored it, but then I love Guenther Grass and Kafka and it is very much in that kind of spirit. It's weird and odd and post-modern and a bit surrealist, but I LOVED this.

Melanie wrote: "Book 2



Considered "the" Scottish book of the 20th century by many, I have had this book on my TBR for years. And by years, I mean a decade. I am not often intimidated by books but this book has ..."

You've convinced me, I definitely want to try this now!

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Book 2



Considered "the" Scottish book of the 20th century by many, I have had this book on my TBR for years. And by years, I mean a decade. I am not often intimidated by books bu..."

It is weird, but worth a try, I did not think I would like it, but ended up loving it.

3. The Lost Queen



I was super excited about this book, so much so I even paid full whack for a hardback. Truth is that I should have waited for the paperback.

It is Historical Fantasy imagining that Arthur was Scottish (very much inspired by Adam Ardrey's books Finding Arthur/Finding Merlin). It follows the story of Langueroth and Lailoken, the latter becoming the Merlin at some point. The first half of the book dragged a bit, the second half really saved it. Still, I am pro a Scottish Arthur so that was interesting. It's the first book in a trilogy, at the moment I don't think I will continue.

4. The Way of All Flesh



Set in the 1840ies in Edinburgh, we follow the story of a young housemaid in the house of a doctor and the said doctor's apprentice. A mystery coupled with a lot of medical history, especially that of childbearing and anaesthetic advances. Do not read if you are pregnant. Do not read if you are squeamish. Liked this well enough, although the middle part dragged a bit. I often wonder if editors feel that this type of historical fiction always has to be over 500 pages and thus, we experience the lull in the middle. It is not that I expect just plot, plot, plot, I like a character driven book like the next person, but when literally nothing is going on for about 80 pages, no character stuff, no plot, then one must wonder. Apart from that: Good and well worth a try.

5. The Firebird



This is part 2 in the Slains Duology, but I was surprised that it also had links to Shadowy Horses (set in Eyemouth). I absolutely loved this, Kearsley's books are comfort reads for me. Dual timeline, one set back in the 18th century around the Scots that tried to get King James on the throne. Proper escapism and now feeling slightly bereft. Only one Kearsley book left to read for me now and then I read them all. Boo.

Book 6: Scotland's answer to the whole Hygge thing, liked it.

7. The Ghosts of Tullybrae House



I could not sleep last night and so I picked this up last night, it has been lurking on my kindle as a "it's not Susanna Kearsley but similar" option and well it was nothing like it but I read this short book in one sitting, not because it was brilliant, but because it was accidentally funny. The main character drives e.g. from Argyll to Aviemore in 30 minutes. Skills. It was very silly but it chilled me out and so I managed to go to sleep after finishing it.

8. Der Pfau by Isabel Bogdan



An odd choice, I guess: A book set in Scotland by a German author, but it was hilarious. The author clearly knows Scotland very well, nothing felt out of place or wrong. Really impressed.

9. The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant



Nice little middle grade adventure story, I would say for readers 8 and up. I enjoyed it and have bought a couple of copies to give as gifts to kids in that age range this year.

10. The Outrun: A Memoir by Amy Liptrot

image:

Absolutely loved this one.

10. Lady Rose and Mrs. Memmary by Ruby Ferguson

image:

„A 1937 fairytale with an uneasy crash into social reality“ it certainly was that. Apparently, a favourite of the Queen‘s mother. A quick read and I enjoyed it, but the switch in tone just over half way through caught me a bit off guard.

11. Into the Fire by Manda Scott



This was the worst book I read in a long while

(author Scottish)

Melanie wrote: "11. Into the Fire by Manda Scott



This was the worst book I read in a long while

(author Scottish)"

I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but the quote alone kind of makes me shudder a bit.

Katrina wrote: "Melanie wrote: "11. Into the Fire by Manda Scott



This was the worst book I read in a long while

(author Scottish)" yup, should have listened!

I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, b..."

The Bear Pit: The Seeker 4 by S.G. Maclean



Book 4 in the Seeker series, and looooved it. The author is Scottish and lives near Inverness. She also has an amazing series set in Scotland, Book 1 is called the Redemption of Alexander Seaton

13. The Hidden Ways: Scotland's Forgotten Roads by Alistair Moffat



Moffat takes walks on “lost routes” in Scotland and tells us about their history. I never really know how much I can trust his writing as entertaining as it is (and I am not just saying this because of the controversy around his DNA company and claims). He seems to hit on a hypothesis, starts by telling you “he thinks” that this is how it may have been but then in the course of writing he ends up convincing himself that it could have not been any other way. Entertaining yes, but also sometimes a tad annoying. Certainly gave me an idea where to holiday next in Scotland though. So there is that.

(also halfway point reached)

14. Another Time, Another Place by Jessie Kesson



Jessie Kesson was borne in the Inverness workhouse in 1916, denied education due to her station in life, she married a cottar in North-east of Scotland. This book is set in 1944 when three Italian POW come to a cottar community and the young wife of the cottar feels her whole world changing. I really adored this. What a wonderful little thing.

Melanie wrote: "14. Another Time, Another Place by Jessie Kesson



Jessie Kesson was borne in the Inverness workhouse in 1916, denied education due to her station in life, she marri..."

Sounds wonderful, is it autobiographical?

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "14. Another Time, Another Place by Jessie Kesson



Jessie Kesson was borne in the Inverness workhouse in 1916, denied education due to her station in..."

I think there are biographical elements in it, but it's not fully autobiographical. All her books are about people in her "station" in life, I believe, she wrote what she knew about.

15. The Story Keeper by Anna Mazzola

16. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson



After not liking book 2 in the Jackson Brodie series, I was hesitant going on, but so glad that book 3 was just brilliant. Loved it.

17. Auntie Robbo by Ann Scott-Moncrieff



Fun re-edition of a kid's book from the 1940ies

18. Madam, Will You Talk?



Not my favourite by her

19. Underland: A Deep Time Journey

Absolutely adored this

Melanie wrote: "19. Underland: A Deep Time Journey

Absolutely adored this"

Wow, this looks amazing! I follow him on Twitter, (I think, if it’s the same guy) he always tweets beautiful and interesting things.

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "19. Underland: A Deep Time Journey

Absolutely adored this"

Wow, this looks amazing! I follow him on Twitter, (I think, if it’s the same guy) he always tweets beau..."

Definitely the same guy :) I read all his books and love them, one of the few male authors I still read.

20. The Darker Arts by Oscar du Muriel



Book 5 in a series of mysteries set in Victorian Edinburgh/Scotland. Love them.

21. This Golden Fleece: A Journey Through Britain's Knitted History by Esther Rutter



Scottish author and lots of it about Scottish history of wool/knitting/weaving. Absolutely adored this book. Not just because I am a knitter, but also because it reflects so much of women's history.

22. Shaun Bythell Confessions of a Bookseller

Absolutely loved this one :)

23. House-Bound by Winifred Peck

Not what I expected, in fact the ladies of this imaginary Edinburgh really got on my nerves in places. Set during WWII about some posh ladies who had to start looking after their own houses and actually cook a meal.

3 books to go :) I can do this :)

Melanie wrote: "22. Shaun Bythell Confessions of a Bookseller

Absolutely loved this one :)"

I am just finishing this book (halfway through December). I have been reading it off and on and over the course of the year. The diary layout of the book lends itself to this style of read. I agree, this was an enjoyable book. It was a window into the bookselling business while exposing undesirable aspects of human nature. The better parts of human nature are there too. A fun read.