THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

In a world where magic has gone mainstream, a policewoman and a group of petty criminals are pulled into a heist to find a forbidden book of spells that should never be opened.A new adventure begins in the world of the Laundry Files.Dead Lies Dreaming presents a nightmarish vision of a Britain sliding unknowingly towards occult cataclysm . . .’Grim, hilarious, inventive – make the video game now please’ Tamsyn Muir

‘Universal truths . . . An unbuttoned sense of humour . . . Engaging and eventful’ – Wall Street Journal’Absorbing . . . no run-of-the-mill tartan noir’ – The TimesWhen a light aircraft crash-lands at Machrie airport, Daley and Scott rush to the scene. But it soon becomes clear that both occupants of the plane were dead before take-off . . .Meanwhile, tending to his lobster creels, Hamish finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and back at the County Hotel, Annie is beginning to suspect her new boss Ian Macmillan may not be as he first appeared. And a face from the past has returned to haunt Carrie Symington, but is it a case of better the devil you know?Daley and Scott find themselves battling retired terrorists and climate-change activists as the action spills across the North Channel to County Antrim – all under the scrutiny of the Security Services. Faced with so many questions, how will Daley uncover good from bad, right from wrong? The search is on for any other truth.

Megan Melvick has spent years avoiding her inheritance, the dark and disquieting family estate Benbrae, now home only to her distant, aristocratic father, and her sister Melissa, dying quietly in an upstairs bedroom. Trapped behind her unreliable hearing aids and vulnerable to what others want her to see, Megan is unable to find the answers she wants: why is there a new woman on her father’s arm? And why has their absent mother not returned to say a final goodbye to Melissa?Benbrae has always been a place of loss and misfortune for Megan, but as the Melvick family diminishes still further, she must ask one final question. If there is a curse on the house, will she be its next victim?

In a world where women have more choices than ever, society nevertheless continues to exert the stigma and pressures of less enlightened times when it comes to having children. We define women by whether they embrace or reject motherhood; whether they can give birth or not.Behavioural Scientist Pragya Agarwal uses her own varied experiences and choices as a woman of South-East Asian heritage to examine the broader societal, historical and scientific factors that drive how we think and talk about motherhood. She looks at how women’s bodies have been monitored and controlled through history, and how this shapes the political constructs of motherhood and womanhood now.Extremely open in its honesty and meticulously researched, (M)otherhood probes themes of infertility, childbirth and reproductive justice, and makes a powerful and urgent argument for the need to tackle society’s obsession with women’s bodies and fertility.

Halfway through her PhD and already dreaming of running her own lab, computer scientist Asha has her future all mapped out. Then a chance meeting and whirlwind romance with her old high-school crush, Cyrus, changes everything.Dreaming big, together with their friend Jules they come up with a revolutionary idea: to build a social networking app that could bring meaning to millions of lives. While Asha creates an ingenious algorithm, Cyrus’ charismatic appeal throws him into the spotlight.When the app explodes into the next big thing, Asha should be happy, shouldn’t she? But why does she feel invisible in the boardroom of her own company? Why are decisions being made without her? Gripping, witty and razor-sharp, The Startup Wife is a blistering novel about big ambitions, speaking out and standing up for what you believe in.

The Secret History of Here is the story of a single place, a farm in the Scottish Borders. The site on which Alistair Moffat’s farm now stands has been occupied since pre-historic times. The fields have turned up ancient arrow heads, stone spindles, silver pennies and a stone carved with the rune-like letters of Ogham. Walking this landscape you can feel the presence and see the marks of those who lived here before.But it is also the story of everywhere. In uncovering the history of one piece of land, Moffat shows how history is all around us, if only we have the eyes to see it. Under our feet, carved into the landscape, in the layout of paths and roads, in the stories we pass down, our history leaves its trace on the land.Taking the form of a journal of a year, The Secret History of Here is a walk through the centuries as much as the seasons. We hear the echo of battles long since fought, of lives lived quietly or scandalously, of armies, of kings, of the common folk who mostly inhabited this land, and a little of those that live here now.

The Secret History of Here is the story of a single place, a farm in the Scottish Borders. The site on which Alistair Moffat’s farm now stands has been occupied since pre-historic times. The fields have turned up ancient arrow heads, stone spindles, silver pennies and a stone carved with the rune-like letters of Ogham. Walking this landscape you can feel the presence and see the marks of those who lived here before.But it is also the story of everywhere. In uncovering the history of one piece of land, Moffat shows how history is all around us, if only we have the eyes to see it. Under our feet, carved into the landscape, in the layout of paths and roads, in the stories we pass down, our history leaves its trace on the land.Taking the form of a journal of a year, The Secret History of Here is a walk through the centuries as much as the seasons. We hear the echo of battles long since fought, of lives lived quietly or scandalously, of armies, of kings, of the common folk who mostly inhabited this land, and a little of those that live here now.

Andrew Grant Forsyth’s Scottish photographs show the changing locomotive scene throughout that country after the Nationalisation of the railways in 1948. Forsyth visited Scotland almost every year between 1948 – 1966 to take photographs of his beloved locomotive stock. Illustrated are the graceful-looking ex-Great North of Scotland 4-4-0’s, the ex North British Railway ‘Glen’ and ‘Scott’ 4-4-0’s, the Caledonian 4-4-0’s and numerous 0-6-0 and tank locomotive classes remaining from both those companies. Also reproduced are many examples of the London and North Eastern Railway express locomotive fleet together with locomotives of former London Midland and Scottish Railway and examples of the post-nationalisation Standard locomotives of British Railways.

‘There was not a soul to be seen, up or down; and the trees stood like ghosts, and the silence was terrible, and everything clear as day. You don’t know what silence is until you find it in the light like that, not morning, but night, no sun-rising, no shadow, but everything as clear as the day.’Despite being a household name during the latter half of the 19th century, few today are aware of the thrilling tales of Margaret Oliphant, and yet they are ripe for rediscovery. From suspenseful hauntings to strange tales of afterlife and the emotional echoes of ghosts beyond simple frights, Oliphant’s stories possess a unique style and nuanced voice to deliver thoroughly unnerving and unforgettable moments.This newly edited collection features many of her ‘Seen and Unseen’ series – her most popular in her day – and rare tales newly revived from the Library collections.

First published in 1914 and praised by John Buchan as ‘one of the finest romances of our time’, The New Road is a classic suspense thriller. The new road of the title refers to the military road which General Wade carved into the Highlands to destroy the clans, and it is along this road that events unfold.It is 1773, thirty years after the Jacobite rebellion and the time of the Highland Clearances. When two adventurers, Ninian Campbell and Aeneas MacMaster, travel north on a clandestine mission to investigate rumours of a planned uprising, they find themselves pursued by mysterious enemies and drawn into a web of intrigue and corruption.The New Road was Neil Munro’s last and most accomplished novel.

All over the world people associate the bagpipes with Scotland. In this informative and entertaining book Stuart McHardy introduces Scotland’s national instrument – its history, development and repertoire – and examines the part that the piper himself has played in Highland and Lowland society over the centuries.The main bulk of the book is a series of thematically grouped tales from all periods and parts of the country in which we see aspects of traditional lore in stories of warriors, musicians, ghostly battles, the hand of friendship, exemplary heroism and the cost of supernatural help. There are tales of the MacCrimmons, the most famous island pipers of all, as well as Habbie Simpson, who was possibly the most famous of all the Lowland pipers. Whether dealing with great bravery or contemptible jealousy, the supernatural or the mundane, these stories reflect the central role that the bagpipes have played, and continue to play, in Scottish traditional culture.

His name and image are everywhere – from Bank of Scotland fivers to the bizarre monument in Edinburgh’s city centre. Scott-land presumes that the reader will have only a hazy awareness of Sir Walter Scott, and, although Stuart Kelly will offer insights into Scott’s works and biography, this is emphatically not a conventional literary biography, nor is it a critical study. Partly a surreptitious autobiography – Stuart Kelly was born near Abbotsford – his examination of Scott’s legacy and character come to change his own thoughts on writing, reviewing, being Scottish, and being human.

Since the middle ages, Orkney has proved remarkable for the volume and the quality of its literary output. From the skalds and sagamen of the Viking age, through to the colourful folklorists, polemicists and translators of the Victorian era, and the internationally acclaimed poets and novelists of the twentieth century, Orkney has continually and self-consciously developed a unique literary culture of its own. This clearly defined artistic territory resembles a sub-nation at times, and is characterised not by insularity, but by what might be termed a positive ‘insularism’ – defining, reinventing and presenting itself to the world.The History of Orkney Literature is the first full survey of literary writing from and about the Orkney Islands. The book presents readings of uncomplicatedly Orcadian writers such as Walter Traill Dennison, Edwin Muir, Eric Linklater, Robert Rendall and George Mackay Brown. It also considers major texts written by ‘outside’ authors which are nevertheless demonstrably Orcadian in terms of their setting, style and influence. The History of Orkney Literature charts the development of this distinctly Orcadian strand within Scottish Literature, and shows how the archipelago, rather than the nation, can indeed be the defining locus of a compact and vibrant literary tradition.

In 1971 Alec Crawford is determined to make his fortune from ship salvage. Early attempts lead nowhere until he teams up with a new partner, Simon Martin. Diving in Hebridean waters, they explore remains of the Spanish Armada, and the wreck of the SS Politician, the vessel made famous in the Whisky Galore. But money is scarce and irregular, and the work is fraught with danger and disappointment.

Until they hear of one of the most incredible wrecks of all time – the White Star Liner Oceanic, which, when built in 1899, was the biggest and most luxurious ship in the world. Widely regarded as an ‘undiveable’ wreck, lying somewhere off the remote island of Foula, they decide to take the challenge. They face unbelievably dangerous waters and appalling weather conditions, and when a large salvage company takes action against them, they also have a huge legal fight on their hands. But if they succeed, the rewards will be enormous…

Taking classic stories from Asia and the West, Pop! Lit for Kids reimagines them into easy-to-read stories that provide the perfect introduction to classic tales. The most well-loved stories from around the world have been adapted into a form that will excite and entertain children everywhere. Readers can embark on new adventures with famous beloved storybook characters. In addition, the books come to life with augmented reality features, giving readers an enhanced experience that they’ll never forget!Follow the world’s most famous detective as he solves three of his greatest mysteries: The Adventure of the Speckled Band, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, and A Scandal in Bohemia. In their efforts to uncover the truth, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson encounter all kinds of mystery, murder, and impossible crimes.

Anna’s anxious when she’s picked to befriend the new girl in her class. For a start, Ellie is ill and can’t come to school herself. So Anna has to communicate with her through a new kind of robot. But Anna is also worried that her life’s too small and boring to be of interest to her new friend. Compared to the other girls, she doesn’t have anything exciting to talk about and so when Ellie asks her a question, a little white lie pops out. Then another and another. When Ellie finds out the truth, can their friendship survive …?Inspired by a true story, a groundbreaking robot helps friendship blossom in this poignant and uplifting novella from bestseller Lisa Thompson.

There are many reasons why Tansy dreads Aunt Emma coming to visit. She’s rude, she’s boring, and Tansy has to give up her room so Aunt Emma can sleep there. And every year Dad makes Tansy promise to be nice – even when Aunt Emma is awful. But this year, when Tansy is left alone with Aunt Emma, she decides she’s going to be the nicest she’s every been – so sickly sweet that it’ll drive Aunt Emma crazy! Let the games begin …Kindness is key in this funny new family drama from perennial bestseller and award-winning author Anne Fine.

Today’s the day – it’s the tea party parade! The kids are in their costumes and the teachers are marching too. Teacups are twirling, cake slices are spinning, and the big finale is going to be the best show of all! Join in with all the fun of the parade in Nick Sharratt’s beautiful new Little Gem. Bursting with lots of rhyme, rhythm and energy for little ones to enjoy, it’s the perfect book for a young reader’s first steps on the path to reading independence.

Follow the cuddly little alien ‘Dillie Dally’ as he flies to Planet Dream and meets the super soft Bedtime Sheep in their propeller hats and the cuddly multi-coloured Chumbles. A TV tie-in board book to accompany the successful CBeebies animated series as seen on Bedtime hour.Full of high quality and textured visuals, each book contains lyrical text emphasising the key benefits of reading, rhythm,language and singing to your little ones. With familiar characters representing a little ones bedtime routine, Hushabye Lullabye encourages a calming experience while positively promoting language development and secure bonding parent/child attachment.The first title in the series ‘Goodnight Dreams’ will explore a little ones journey to sleep and introduce traditional lullaby rhythms to soothe a contemporary audience.

Join in with the Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay’sfun in this fabulous sticker activity book based onthe bestselling book The Scarecrows’ Wedding, by the duobehind The Gruffalo and Stick Man.Can you complete the scenes with their puzzle stickers? Can youfind all the things Betty and Harry need for their wedding? Andwhat would be on your list if you were to get ready for an importantday? Draw your own scarecrow, unjumble words and match the pairswith this treasure trove of endless fun!Jam-packed with sticker activities themed around the originalbook, this is the perfect companion activity book for fans ofJulia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.Includes over 400 stickersHours of fun are guaranteed with colouring-in, dot-to-dots, spotthe difference, mazes, simple word searches and more!A must-have for fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’swork