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 ReviewsDon't Try This at Home by Angela Readman
What if one summer your mum was Elvis? What if you met yourself in the future and you were homeless? What if you were born with the face of a dog, or became ... Read more »| 04 May 2015 -
EventsCulture at Cervantes – May 2015
Your guide to this month's highlights at the Cervantes Institute Read more »| 03 May 2015 -
Book ReviewsThe Wolf Border by Sarah Hall
Rachel Caine moves back to Cumbria after a decade spent protecting wolves on an Idaho reservation. Thomas Pennington – an earl – owns lots of the... Read more »| 01 May 2015 -
FeaturesJames Kelman: On Form
As his Lean Third short story collection is polished and republished, James Kelman, our grand master of literary fiction reflects on the craft and slog of experimental writing, class, culture and the high profile controversies surrounding his great works Read more »| 01 May 2015 -
Book Reviews
Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman’s latest publication is a collection of fanciful stories and poems designed to rivet and excite the reader with tales of transdimensional p... Read more »| 01 May 2015 -
Features
Sour Soul: Stuart Cosgrove on Detroit ’67
Stuart Cosgrove on his stunning new book Detroit '67, documenting the most significant 365 days in soul's history, which saw racism and riots rage, and commodified musicians come to tragic ends. Angry parallels to our current times become easily apparent Read more »| 01 May 2015
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Features
Last Orders: John Doran on Jolly Lad
One of the finest music critics of the past 20 years, some of John Doran's most scathing reviews would come to be about himself, in a series of columns that led to his debut book, Jolly Lad Read more »| 30 Apr 2015 -
Book Reviews
The Zoo by Jamie Mollart
James Marlowe is a marketing man at the top of his game. To all appearances, he's the very image of success: wowing big clients like clockwork, commanding th... Read more »| 30 Apr 2015 -
Features
Sex Work: Kirstin Innes on debut novel Fishnet
Kirstin Innes has spent years studying the Scottish sex industry and has now sewn these experiences into acclaimed debut novel Fishnet. She talks to The Skinny about her writing process, and the mixed morality surrounding the world's oldest profession. Read more »| 30 Apr 2015 -
Events
Northwest Book Highlights – May 2015
Liverpool celebrates its port-city heritage with a cultural festival dedicated to the transatlantic, while dead poets return to battle it out in Salford Read more »| 29 Apr 2015 -
Features
Echo Chamber: do we need more diverse voices in literature?
Liverpool’s annual literary festival Writing on the Wall takes over the city this month with events focusing on the Harlem Renaissance, race riots and multicultural England. Our Books editor considers race in literature and diversity in publishing Read more »| 27 Apr 2015 -
News
Me Write Pretty One Day: Writers' Essentials' Free Novel-Writing Classes
For those putting thoughts to page and laptop screen, then contemplating the frightening thought of taking them to a publisher, there are now twelve free classes on novel writing live in Edinburgh and online. Simply turn up or tune in. Read more »| 27 Apr 2015 -
Events
Inner City Rhythm: George the Poet spits words at Aye Write!
This weekend a 24-year-old with both a raw and refined way with words takes to the stage at Aye Write! We talk politics and poetry with BRITs 2015 Critics' Choice Award nominee George the Poet Read more »| 16 Apr 2015 -
Book Reviews
Detroit '67 by Stuart Cosgrove
Stuart Cosgrove's immaculately researched account of a year in the life of the Motor City manages a delicate balancing act. While his love for the ... Read more »| 07 Apr 2015 -
Features
Neu! Reekie! Waiting for the ink to dry
Edinburgh based poetry-music-animation curators Neu! Reekie! are publishing their first physical book. The Skinny catches up with them over a couple of weeks as they work towards its launch Read more »| 06 Apr 2015