Soon it will be April when fellow Thornberrian Simon Hacker and I are joining forces for a World Book Night event, and so I thought it was about time I read Polar Nights, his comedy thriller set in the far North of Scotland which came out last month. From the outset it was clear that … Continue reading Northern Lights, Polar Nights
Knowing this Scottish historical novel by Margaret Skea had battled through the scrutiny of Authonomy authors and the Alan Titchmarsh People’s Novelist Competition, I was really keen to read it, but at first I was uncertain. The writing was polished and clearly backed up by detailed research but could I be gripped by this tale … Continue reading Turn of the Tide: Scottish history comes to life
Picking up The Stone Gallows by C. David Ingram (Myrmidon, 2009) I wasn’t at all sure this was going to be my cup of tea. I don’t as a rule read crime, and although I make an exception for Rebus (mainly because Rankin’s voice resonates with me on some deep level) I’m finding I’ve started to lose interest in the … Continue reading The Stone Gallows
An extended sojourn with Scottish literature has kept these half-forgotten words crowding in thick and fast. Here are a few that might require translation. Cowp – spill or tip Warsle – wrestle or struggle with Fykie – fiddly Fankled – tangled (especially of wool or thread) Havers, havering – rubbish, ranting, talking like a mad … Continue reading Scottish season
Ali Bacon / Books Etc 