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.
-
FeaturesLet's Talk About Sex, Baby: Rachel Thompson interview
We chat with author and journalist Rachel Thompson about her new book Rough: How Violence Found Its Way Into the Bedroom, ways of addressing sexual violence within society, and the importance of going beyond consent Read more »| 14 Sep 2021 -
Book ReviewsSeveral People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
Calvin Kasulke's new novel is a surreal, witty, existential look at the way that apps control our lives Read more »| 09 Sep 2021 -
Book ReviewsNever Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian
When at its strongest, Never Saw Me Coming is dark, complex, gripping and difficult to step back from Read more »| 09 Sep 2021 -
Book ReviewsKeeping the House by Tice Cin
Tice Cin's debut novel is a refreshing and unique look at London life through the eyes of its Turkish Cypriot community Read more »| 07 Sep 2021 -
Book ReviewsBeautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
Beautiful World, Where Are You is everything Sally Rooney does so brilliantly, but her third novel also asks itself bigger questions about storytelling in a time of crisis Read more »| 03 Sep 2021 -
FeaturesScottish Poetry News: September 2021
Rhyme Watch is back to bring you the good news of poetry publications, events (online and in-person, exciting!), and all other things poetic/poetry adjacent in Scotland Read more »| 31 Aug 2021
-
FestivalsEdinburgh International Book Festival: Week two recap
As the Edinburgh International Book Festival draws to a close for 2021, we recap a handful of highlights from their second week of hybrid literary entertainment Read more »| 31 Aug 2021 -
FeaturesPower in a Union: Eve Livingston on Make Bosses Pay
Political journalist and author Eve Livingston on her union manifesto, Make Bosses Pay Read more »| 30 Aug 2021 -
Book ReviewsAll the Names Given by Raymond Antrobus
Raymond Antrobus' new collection is a meditation on communication: not only on what is communicated, but also how Read more »| 30 Aug 2021 -
FestivalsEdinburgh International Book Festival: Week one recap
As Edinburgh International Book Festival returns in hybrid form for 2021, The Skinny team have been diving into some of the programme highlights – here's our recap of week one Read more »| 23 Aug 2021 -
FestivalsInua Ellams on A Toast to the People
Poet and playwright Inua Ellams chats about politics, performing and working with Saul Williams for Edinburgh International Festival's new spoken word series, A Toast to the People Read more »| 18 Aug 2021 -
FilmOn the set of Our Ladies with author Alan Warner
Back in 2018, the film adaptation of Alan Warner's The Sopranos was filming in Edinburgh. Three years later, the film – now titled Our Ladies – finally reaches Scottish cinemas. Here's our on-set chat with the author, over a bracingly expensive whisky Read more »| 17 Aug 2021 -
FestivalsOnwards & Upwards: Edinburgh Book Festival preview
As the Edinburgh International Book Festival returns for 2021 in a new location with a new hybrid set-up, we dive into the highlights of their programme, which looks to celebrate the ideas and stories for a changing world Read more »| 10 Aug 2021 -
Book ReviewsGirl One by Sara Flannery Murphy
Combining mystery, sci-fi and social commentary, Girl One is a testament to the importance of female relationships Read more »| 05 Aug 2021 -
FeaturesNina Mingya Powles on Small Bodies of Water
Nan Shepherd Prize winner Nina Mingya Powles discusses her new book Small Bodies of Water, periods, nature writing and colonialism Read more »| 05 Aug 2021