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 Patriots by Sana Krasikov
A 538-page debut novel set across continents and over 74 years of personal and political turmoil certainly shows intent. Largely living up to it, Krasikov&rs... Read more »| 24 Feb 2017 -
EventsAye Write! 2017: Glasgow meets the world
Glasgow's book festival Aye Write! has spread its wings from the Mitchell Library in 2017, just to fit its packed programme into the city – one that includes old favourites like Ian Rankin and Christopher Brookmyre alongside Bowie, fitba and Tim Burgess Read more »| 23 Feb 2017 -
Book ReviewsSt Peter's, Cardross: Birth, Death and Renewal
The recently awarded A list status of Leith’s iconic Banana Flats shows just how much interest there currently is in the brutalist architecture of the ... Read more »| 21 Feb 2017 -
Book Reviews
A Line Made By Walking by Sara Baume
Finding only anxiety and unhappiness in the city, Frankie moves to her late grandmother’s bungalow in the country. There she will find the healing powe... Read more »| 16 Feb 2017 -
Features
Poetry News – Scotland, February 2017
Our poetry columnist lips her hat to StAnza and Woman Scream, then offers some insight on the best page poetry around at the moment Read more »| 13 Feb 2017 -
NewsCharity Sex: 50 Shades for a Cause
The Skinny Books editor takes on the 50 Shades trilogy for a good cause. And doesn't enjoy it one single bit. No siree, honest, he swears. Not even the naughty parts Read more »| 13 Feb 2017
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Features
StAnza 2017 preview: Strong Words, Strange Times
Our poetry columnist provides a run-down on Scotland's international poetry festival, StAnza, featuring such luminaries as Costa Prize-winner Alice Oswald, T.S Eliot prize winner Sarah Howe and our Makar Jackie Kay Read more »| 08 Feb 2017 -
Festivals
Super Weird Substance brings Alan Moore to Liverpool
Author John Higgs and playwright Daisy Campbell will also be present for the 14 Hour Super Weird Happening Read more »| 07 Feb 2017 -
MusicKate Tempest shares blistering Europe is Lost video
The insanity of our current political climate is documented in the video for the powerful Kate Tempest piece Read more »| 03 Feb 2017 -
Book Reviews
This is How it Always is by Laurie Frankel
Claude Walsh-Adams was born a boy… but she isn’t entirely comfortable with the arrangement. Her four brothers and two loving, liberal parents em... Read more »| 03 Feb 2017 -
Book Reviews
Swallowing Mercury by Wioletta Greg
Wioletta Greg's Swallowing Mercury (beautifully translated by Eliza Marciniak) captures the almost dreamlike quality of childhood memories. Following th... Read more »| 01 Feb 2017 -
Features
David Keenan on This is Memorial Device
Author Andrew O'Hagan suggested he wouldn't like anyone who doesn't love it, claiming it 'the sound of young Scotland distilled' – This is Memorial Dev... Read more »| 30 Jan 2017 -
Book Reviews
Perfect Remains by Helen Fields
One of Scotland's most popular literary genres, Helen Fields' new novel, Perfect Remains, brings new possibilities for narrative style and plot to ... Read more »| 26 Jan 2017 -
Features
Australia Day: A New Narrative
As the troubled narrative of Australia Day continues, let's use this opportunity to provide an introduction to five Indigenous writers whose outstanding works are too often marginalised Read more »| 26 Jan 2017 -
Features
Kapka Kassabova on borders: "A powerful political tool"
Kapka Kassabova captures cold war history and the current refugee crisis on the blurred borders of the Balkan peninsula. The poet and travel writer's beautiful, tragic and universal new book may just be the most important you read in this year of Brexit Read more »| 23 Jan 2017