Books
The Skinny book guide – bringing you book reviews, features, events, reviews and author interviews. Find previews and on the ground reporting from festivals of literature and poetry in Scotland and beyond.
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FeaturesAmy Abdelnoor on her debut novel Ever Land
Ahead of her appearance at this year's Book Fringe, Amy Abdelnoor introduces her debut novel Ever Land, a haunting ghost story set in Palestine Read more »| 20 Aug 2026 -
FeaturesLucia Odoom on her novella Cosmos
We speak to Ghanaian-Danish writer Lucia Odoom about her novella Cosmos, and how the contemporary epistolary form can allow for an interrogation of belonging and intimacy Read more »| 13 Aug 2026 -
Book ReviewsShorelines by Alycia Pirmohamed
Poet Alycia Pirmohamed turns to prose in her debut nonfiction book, an exquisite memoir that resists the demands of the genre Read more »| 11 Aug 2026 -
Book ReviewsBury Your Dead by Ana Paula Maia
Ana Paula Maia's follow up to Of Cattle and Men is another taut and grotesque investigation of violence Read more »| 11 Aug 2026 -
FestivalsLoud and Proud: Celebrating ten years of 404 Ink
After a decade of publishing, the duo behind one of Scotland's most seminal indie presses, 404 Ink, look back at an impressive career and legacy Read more »| 07 Aug 2026 -
FeaturesBeth Frieden on Gaelic poetry and new pamphlet Acair san Talamh
We chat with Beth Frieden, a Glasgow-based poet and New Scottish Writers Award winner for Gaelic Poetry in 2021, about her debut pamphlet, Acair san Talamh, ahead of her appearance at Govanhill Book Festival Read more »| 05 Aug 2026
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EventsScottish Books Events: August 2026
Edinburgh Book Festival returns this August, and it's joined by the Book Fringe and Govanhill Book Festival Read more »| 03 Aug 2026 -
Book ReviewsNo God But Us by Bobuq Sayed
A delicate two-hander following a pair of queer refugees who meet in Istanbul, Bobuq Sayed's debut novel embraces queerness in all its complexity Read more »| 27 Jul 2026 -
Book ReviewsFour Terrible Parents by Calla Henkel
Two chaotic couples move back to their hometown and attempt to raise a family in this witty and incisive exploration of modern relationships Read more »| 27 Jul 2026 -
Book ReviewsAsh by Louise Wallace
A volcano becomes an apt stand-in for female rage in this blistering novella by Louise Wallace Read more »| 20 Jul 2026 -
Book ReviewsThe Past Pursues Us Like Detectives, Debt Collectors, Thieves by Juan Pablo Villalobos
Murder mystery meets migration tale in this witty new novel from Mexican author Juan Pablo Villalobos Read more »| 17 Jul 2026 -
FeaturesTazmyn-Mei Gebbett's favourite Edinburgh spots
We chat with Tazmyn-Mei Gebbett, a new Edinburgh transplant, about their favourite spots in the city so far Read more »| 02 Jul 2026 -
Book ReviewsCanon by Paige Lewis
Canon, the debut novel from poet Paige Lewis, is an outrageous and subversive new kind of biblical epic tale Read more »| 29 Jun 2026 -
FeaturesWord on the Street: A guide to literary Edinburgh
Book lovers rejoice – Edinburgh has you covered. From museums and libraries to monuments and bookshops, Scotland's capital well earns its status as the world's first UNESCO City of Literature Read more »| 25 Jun 2026 -
Book ReviewsSkin Contact by Elisa Faison
A married couple decide to open up their relationship in this timely exploration of non-monogamy, parenthood and intimacy Read more »| 23 Jun 2026