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 ReviewsThe Second Cut by Louise Welsh
Louise Welsh returns to the world of The Cutting Room in a noir that's as breathless and striking as you'd hope Read more »| 31 Jan 2022 -
Book ReviewsMona by Pola Oloixarac
Pola Oloixarac's Mona fearlessly confronts the absurdity of the literary establishment, and leaves the reader questioning whether all great art is inherently violent Read more »| 31 Jan 2022 -
FeaturesHow to be a modern man: Fuccboi and masculinity in fiction
As Sean Thor Conroe's Fuccboi arrives in a blaze of controversy, Katie Goh considers it in the context of the so-called crisis of male representation in contemporary fiction Read more »| 31 Jan 2022 -
FeaturesAndrés N. Ordorica on his debut poetry collection
Poet and fiction writer Andrés N. Ordorica discusses his debut collection, At Least This I Know, from his earliest memories of poetry to the ongoing journey of the self Read more »| 19 Jan 2022 -
Book ReviewsI Love You But I've Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness blurs the lines of fiction, non-fiction, what we leave behind and what travels with us Read more »| 12 Jan 2022 -
Book ReviewsIn the Seeing Hands of Others by Nat Ogle
Nat Ogle's startlingly original debut is an extremely compelling, genre-bending read Read more »| 11 Jan 2022
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Book ReviewsTo Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
To Paradise is a symphony of a novel whose parts come together to form an fractured portrait of America's past, present and future Read more »| 10 Jan 2022 -
FeaturesScottish Poetry News: January 2022
Prizes, writing courses, live events and new releases all feature in 2022's first poetry and spoken word round-up Read more »| 05 Jan 2022 -
Book ReviewsRefractive Africa by Will Alexander
Refractive Africa is a bold and dazzling culmination of Will Alexander's thinking Read more »| 05 Jan 2022 -
Book ReviewsOlga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
Xochitl Gonzalez’s exploration of identity among the Puerto Rican diaspora is irresistibly warm yet entirely uncompromising Read more »| 05 Jan 2022 -
FeaturesLooking back on 2021 through an apocalyptic lens
As we come to the end of another year that truly feels like the end of times are nigh, Katie Goh – author of The End: Surviving the World Through Imagined Disasters – looks back on 2021 through a literary apocalyptic lens Read more »| 14 Dec 2021 -
FeaturesThe Skinny's Books of 2021
Looking to end your year with a new book? Wanting the perfect gift for someone? The Skinny team are here to share their favourite books of 2021 Read more »| 08 Dec 2021 -
NewsScottish Poetry News: December 2021
December brings a bumper Edinburgh show with Hollie McNish and Kae Tempest, an exciting new poetry podcast, and a few Christmas present ideas as well Read more »| 02 Dec 2021 -
Book ReviewsLike a Tree, Walking by Vahni Capildeo
Like a Tree, Walking is another welcoming, disarming collection of poems from Vahni Capildeo Read more »| 01 Dec 2021 -
Book ReviewsOnly This Once Are You Immaculate by Blessing Musariri
The intricately constructed world in Blessing Musariri’s latest novel is unfortunately weighed down by emphasis and explanation Read more »| 30 Nov 2021