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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Book ReviewsHawthorn & Child by Keith Ridgway
It begins with a shooting in North London, with detectives Hawthorn and Child trying to work out what’s happened. Early on, though, Ridgway derails the... Read more »| 01 May 2013 -
Book ReviewsThe Humans by Matt Haig
Any writer who can fuse maths and peanut butter in his opening paragraph is a certified genius in his own right. In his book, Matt Haig introduces us to a ch... Read more »| 01 May 2013 -
FeaturesWilliam McIlvanney: Laying Down The Law
As Canongate prepare to re-publish the complete works of William McIllvanney, starting with his Jack Laidlaw detective novels, we talk to “the Clark Gable of Scottish crime fiction” about inspiration, influence, and the importance of imagery Read more »| 01 May 2013 -
Book Reviews
Drugs 2.0: The Web Revolution That's Changing How the World Gets High by Mike Power
Like its subject matter - at least as self-confessed popper Mike Power would have us believe - Drugs 2.0 is a stimulating read, providing a timeline of chemi... Read more »| 01 May 2013 -
Features
Better on Paper: Victoria Baths Fanzine Fair
The upcoming Victoria Baths Fanzine Fair is just one of an ever-increasing number of events in the Northwest celebrating and encouraging self-publishing. We speak to some of its participants about the apparent resurgence of independent media Read more »| 30 Apr 2013 -
Features
Granta Best of Young British Novelists: Jenni Fagan
Jenni Fagan is the sole Scottish writer included in Granta's once-a-decade Best of Young British Novelists list. We catch up with her shortly after the announcement to discuss dancing celebrations, her new novel and the future. Read more »| 29 Apr 2013
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Features
(New)man vs Establishment: Rob Newman on his new novel
In which we try to discover what a politically-charged comedian like Rob Newman is doing writing a swashbuckling, historical adventure novel Read more »| 29 Apr 2013 -
Book Reviews
Aye Write! The Road to War, 20 Apr
History made its presence felt in the Mitchell Library’s grand hall as two historians discussed the road to 1914. Charles Emmerson and Christopher Clar... Read more »| 23 Apr 2013 -
Book Reviews
Dead Water by Ann Cleeves
Ann Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope novels were dramatised for TV in 2011, and last year Detective Jimmy Perez, the patient, enigmatic investigator at the heart... Read more »| 22 Apr 2013 -
Book Reviews
Aye Write! Best Scottish Poems Launch
Annually the Scottish Poetry Library releases an online publication entitled Best Scottish Poems. Now in its ninth year, Best Scottish Poems 2012 offers... Read more »| 22 Apr 2013 -
Book ReviewsLaidlaw by William McIlvanney
It has been said that there is not a single Scottish crime writer publishing today who does not owe William McIlvanney and his eponymous hero, Laidlaw, a sty... Read more »| 22 Apr 2013 -
Features
Aye Write! Leveson Six Months On
The debate surrounding the Leveson report into media standards is more heated now than it was six months ago when the report was published. Leveson has made ... Read more »| 19 Apr 2013 -
Festivals
In Other Words, 23 Apr-19 May
Between World Book Night and the reopening of the city's Central Library, Liverpool celebrates all things literary with a new festival, In Other Words Read more »| 15 Apr 2013 -
Features
World Book Night 2013
Now in its third year, World Book Night returns on 23 April with a whole host of nationwide events designed to celebrate reading and encourage those who do not regularly read to get involved Read more »| 12 Apr 2013 -
Festivals
Aye Write! Glasgow's Book Festival
This April sees Aye Write! return to the Mitchell Library for its eighth year, supplying Glasgow with a wealth of literary talent Read more »| 11 Apr 2013