Voice for the voiceless
By . Published 12 August 2009
Rapper Emmanuel Jal has rebuilt a shattered life after fighting in Sudan's civil war as a child, appearing at Live 8 and publishing an acclaimed autobiography. Ed Ballard finds out...
Books > Features
Frank Skinner: Back on the road
By . Published 09 August 2009Ahead of his appearence at the Book Festival, Frank Skinner tells Jenny Baldwin about the lure of the Fringe, memoir therapy, and why the Credit Crunch is good news for...
The Book Festival's Own Wee Fringe
By . Published 07 August 2009The West Port Book festival is in its second year, and is packed with nimble and nifty events. Something for everyone here - read on...
Sultan of swing
By . Published 04 August 2009Two years ago, Ewan Morrison's Swung won high praise for its deft treatment of sexual insecurity. With a third novel now under his belt, he's still determined to normalise, he...
David Simon: Journalism's Loss, Television's Gain
By . Published 28 July 2009The Skinny is sponsoring The Wire creator David Simon's event at the Edinburgh international Book festival. Peter Geoghegan spoke to him about his books, his TV shows, and his views...
Tipped at the Top: Richard Holloway on his Highlights for the 2009 Book Festival
By . Published 23 July 2009Richard Holloway was appointed as Guest Director of this year’s Book Festival after departing Director Catherine Lockerbie had picked the programme. Still, who better to pick from the big names...
David Sedaris and David Simon: A cheat's guide.
By . Published 07 July 2009Going to see David Sedaris or David Simon, but don't quite know what you're letting yourself in for? Here's a rough guide to them.
It's Book Festival Time Again...
By . Published 25 June 2009Next month it’s time again for the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which runs 15 – 31 of August. Tickets are on sale now, so with that in mind, here’s our...
What is The Moth?
By . Published 25 June 2009There's always a cool event in any festival that only a privileged few know about – want to become one of the few...?
From Public Sex to Phone Sex via Language
By . Published 23 June 2009I recently joined goodreads.com. 'Another social networking site?', you might well ask: 'Aren’t there enough of the bloody things already?' This one has a specific purpose, though, which I rather...
The Skinny’s Events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival: David Sedaris and David Simon.
By . Published 11 June 2009Sedaris. Simon. Skinny.
Six Questions in Search of An Author (Now with bonus online questions!)
By . Published 01 June 2009The Scottish Mortgage Trust Book Awards are awarded in four categories: for best non-fiction, best fiction, best first book, and best poetry. One of the category winners will be awarded...
Roberto Bolano: Master of Tragic Realism
By . Published 01 May 2009Chilean author Roberto Bolano is the literary discovery of the minute. His works are just now being translated in to English, and so English language critics are just now raving...
Highlights of Aye Write!
By . Published 05 March 2009Glasgow's literary festival is back.
StAnza - Poetry, Anyone?
By . Published 03 March 2009If you've any interest in poetry at all, the StAnza festival should be right up your street.
Evolve Your Reading!
By . Published 04 February 2009This year's big reading project is The Lost World Read, where we'll all be encouraged to get involved with one aptly chosen book...
Scottish Comics Roundup!
By . Published 12 December 2008Yes, Scottish Comics. Having received a few of those titles lately, and seeing that none of them were The Broons or Oor Wullie, we decided to check them out...
Books For Your Stockings...
By . Published 25 November 2008Books are the Fast Food of Christmas presents - Easily picked up, and appreciated by all but the most dedicated whingers. If you're stuck for present ideas, here are a...
Allergic To Poetry?
By . Published 06 November 2008Ryan Van Winkle – Reader-in-Residence at the Scottish Poetry Library and Edinburgh City Libraries flags up unique ways to get poetry into your life.
Ever Had a Day Like These?
By . Published 02 October 2008Here’s one from the department of phenomenally good ideas: The Scottish Book Trust and BBC Scotland have teamed up for a project called ‘Days Like This’, inviting members of the...
