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 ReviewsYr Dead by Sam Sax
Yr Dead is a lyrical, dizzying portrait of the final moments of a man's life, and the moments – both personal and intergenerational – that have taken him to this point Read more »| 12 Aug 2024 -
FeaturesNisha Ramayya on her new poetry collection Fantasia
We talk with poet and academic Nisha Ramayya about her latest poetry collection Fantasia, and the constellation of influences and touchstones that inform her practice Read more »| 08 Aug 2024 -
FeaturesAndrés N. Ordorica on debut novel How We Named the Stars
Edinburgh-based poet Andrés N. Ordorica's debut novel retells the quiet queer awakenings of two lovestruck college freshmen in one’s eulogy to the other Read more »| 08 Aug 2024 -
FeaturesN.S Nuseibeh on Palestinian essay collection Namesake
We chat with British-Palestinian author N.S. Nuseibeh about her essay collection Namesake, and connecting her life and experiences with her warrior ancestor Nusayba Bint Ka’ab Read more »| 08 Aug 2024 -
FeaturesHannah Lavery on her new collection Unwritten Woman
We chat with Edinburgh Makar Hannah Lavery about her new collection Unwritten Woman, the power of retelling, and the ongoing influence of Edinburgh in her writing Read more »| 05 Aug 2024 -
Book ReviewsThe Pairing by Casey McQuiston
Two exes challenge each other to a hookup competition in this steamy fourth novel by acclaimed queer romance writer Casey McQuiston Read more »| 05 Aug 2024
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FeaturesIona Lee on her new poetry zine Beasties
Created out of a residency at Typewronger Books, poet Iona Lee's risoprint zine Beasties is an otherworldly examination of the dark side of scientific progress Read more »| 02 Aug 2024 -
EventsScottish Books Events: August 2024
There's two book festivals in town this month, as Edinburgh International Book Festival and Book Fringe take over Edinburgh. In Glasgow, meanwhile, the likes of Helen Charman and Emily Wilson launch books Read more »| 30 Jul 2024 -
Book ReviewsReal Boys by Thomas Stewart
In his debut poetry collection Real Boys, Thomas Stewart explores ideas of identity, masculinity and sexuality and the complications of grief and guilt Read more »| 29 Jul 2024 -
Book ReviewsThe Book of Disappearance by Ibtisam Azem
In her second novel, Palestinian author Ibtisam Azem imagines a near future where all Palestinians suddenly disappear Read more »| 29 Jul 2024 -
Book ReviewsClinical Intimacy by Ewan Gass
Ewan Gass's debut novel is a masterclass in storytelling, exploring one man through a series of interviews with people close to him, building a portrait of his character through negative space Read more »| 22 Jul 2024 -
FeaturesKate Zambreno on her memoir The Light Room
We speak to Kate Zambreno about her new memoir The Light Room and how to articulate moments of everyday in the midst of extreme crisis Read more »| 12 Jul 2024 -
FeaturesJen Hadfield on her Shetland memoir Storm Pegs
We talk to Jen Hadfield about her eco-memoir exploring the movements of land, people and languages on the Shetland Islands Read more »| 09 Jul 2024 -
Book ReviewsNapalm in the Heart by Pol Guasch
Politically wistful and brimming with queer desire, Pol Guasch's debut novel evokes an end of days which might not be far beyond us Read more »| 03 Jul 2024 -
EventsScottish Books Events: July 2024
There's lots of book launches this month, including The Skinny favourites Andrés N. Ordorica and Dean Atta, poetry readings at Lovecrumbs and Lighthouse, and a double launch of experimental writing at Good Press Read more »| 03 Jul 2024