Scotland Book Highlights – November 2014
With autumn upon us and leaves dying, words are coming to life. This season promises Scotland so many on page, on public walls and in the air around us, so we'll keep it brief
Book Week Scotland takes place from 24-30 November with The Scottish Book Trust delivering its diverse programme of book-related events, projects and activities across the country. In an age where libraries are under threat, we’re asked to declare our true feelings for these temples of words and ideas through Love Letter to Your Library, with authors and celebs revealing their own throughout the week. The Trust will bring things to a close by revealing the nation’s favourite character from Scottish books – get involved by voting online from a shortlist of 50, or by suggesting your own favourite.
You may have noticed Waverley – the world’s only train station named after a work of literature – wrapped in the words of Sir Walter Scott during October. It marked a celebration of the 200th anniversary of his book which shares its title, alongside the 10th of Edinburgh’s designation as the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature. Auld Reekie looks to another great name in November with Robert Louis Stevenson Day on the 13th, a 'tache twirling day of walks, talks, tales and teas in his honour. On this day the National Library of Scotland will hold a special talk, looking at Stevenson's time in the South Seas and the stories it generated. Then on the 14th you can experience a one-off performance of The Laird of Samoa, the play that brings Stevenson's travels to life. There are many more events throughout the month.
For those who prefer their words breathed full of life, the news of Rally & Broad’s combined October launch (Glasgow, Stereo) and re-launch (Edinburgh, Bongo Club) was cause to party – I dropped by the Bongo, it was immense. November is their month of 'Eureka' moments at both venues, with performances from the lyrical ladies themselves alongside Aidan Moffat, AJ McKenna and many more.
Finally, The Saltire Society announced its literary awards shortlist in October, to be presented on 11 November at Dynamic Earth. Director Jim Tough tells us that this year "Scotland’s most prestigious literary awards are being taken to a new level." There are new catagories for Poetry and Literary Book of the Year while their regular First Book Award boasts an ever exciting line-up. Kirsty Logan’s highly acclaimed The Rental Heart sits in a tight field alongside friend of The Skinny Anneliese Mackintosh and her stunning emotional debut Any Other Mouth.