THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

“Every year for as long as I could remember, I dreaded the shortening days, the fog and the rain. But what if I went outdoors instead?” 

Helen Moat used to hide from winter: she would hunker down inside, yearn for the sun, and wait it out. So when she heard others call it their preferred season, she went on a mission to discover what they saw in the months she found so difficult.

Trying to understand why some of the darkest and coldest countries in the world have the lowest rates of seasonal depression, she dives into cultural practices from warming winter food to traditional book gifting and finds that forcing herself her outside in the harshest conditions unexpectedly pushes her into deepened human connections.

Journeying across Japan, Iceland, Scotland and, just once, escaping to the warmth of Spain, While the Earth Holds its Breath nurtures resilience and determination. Ultimately, it finds a positivity that does not ignore the darkness, but finds something to love there.

When the internet collapsed, it took the world with it, leaving its digital ghosts behind – and they are hungry. Former photojournalist Katerina fled the overrun cities to the relative safety of her grandmother’s village on the edge of a forest, where she lives a solitary life of herbal medicine and beekeeping.

When a wordless boy finds her in the marketplace with nothing but her name in his pocket, her curiosity won’t allow her to turn him away. But haunting his arrival are rumours of harvest failure and a rampant digital disease stirring up the ghosts, and the mood in the village starts to sour.

Accused of witchcraft, Katerina and Stefan escape into the forest, searching for his missing father and the truth behind the disease. If there is a cure, Katerina alone might find it, but first she must find the courage to trust others – because the ghosts that follow her aren’t just digital.

The last decade has seen countless cases of women being fired, disciplined, protested or no-platformed for their views on sex and gender. Whether high-profile celebrities or previously unknown feminists, such women’s vocal non-belief in ‘gender identity’ as a universal human condition bears a high social cost. These ‘houndings’ are often presented starkly, clinically, in headlines or fleeting social media moments, stripped of the true cost of holding such beliefs.

But what is the reality behind the headlines and noise? What are the true consequences of holding – and living with – such seemingly now-heretical thoughts?

Hounded charts the often hidden and unspoken harms women face for prioritising and defending sex-based language and rights. Outlining the often-bewildering array of tactics used by opponents against such women, as well as the resilience required to refuse to be silenced, Lindsay presents a compelling argument for recognition of the individual and social harms that are being enacted under the auspices of ‘gender identity activism.’

This debut non-fiction book by award-winning poet and essayist Jenny Lindsay, whose own ‘hounding’ offers a unique perspective, is a solid, sane, witty but also compassionate account about the very human cost of this extraordinary cultural and political schism.

Simultaneously a touching human story, a meditation on art and science, and a primer on Beethoven’s life and work, Andrew Crumey’s ninth work of fiction skilfully weaves history, music, erudition and humour in a page-turning mystery that will resonate in the reader’s mind long afterwards. A lost opera and a dark conspiracy lie at the heart of this philosophical comedy which views Beethoven through the eyes of multiple characters across time, linked by strange events at a rambling country house. Nowadays a retreat for artists, scientists and researchers, the house was formerly an asylum with a clairvoyant inmate, and before that, a location for esoteric experiments. As labyrinthine as the architecture is a plot whose themes include Crusader legends and 1920s literary London, mesmerism and freemasonry, psychoanalysis and theosophy. Holding everything together is a present-day scholar whose pandemic disasters propel him into the byways of history and towards an untimely demise.

‘Crumey presents in Beethoven’s Assassins, a deliciously intellectual, ambitious book that explores time, metaphysics, narrative and pretty much everything, all at once.’ – Ruth McKee in The Irish Times

From prehistory to the present day, the story of Edinburgh is packed with incident and drama. As Scotland’s capital since 1437, the city has witnessed many of the key events which have shaped the nation. But Edinburgh has always been much more than just a political centre. During the Enlightenment, it was one the intellectual powerhouses of Europe, and in the twentieth century it became the arts capital of the world with the founding of its many festivals. Finance, religion, education and industry are also important parts of the story.

Alistair Moffat explores these themes and many more, showing how the city has grown, changed and adapted over the centuries. He introduces Edinburgh’s famous places and people – including monarchs, murderers, writers and philosophers – as well as the ordinary citizens who have contributed so much to the life of one of the world’s best-known and most beautiful cites.

The darkness of the night represents something unknowable – even frightening – to many. But when we really look up and into it, we can find celestial light shows, whole ecosystems, and, perhaps, a new perspective. 

The night sky offers something essential – a connection to something bigger than ourselves that can, in turn, help us understand ourselves and each other better. Humans have recognised and tried to make sense of this feeling since ancient times. For so many – from physicists and astronauts to astrologists and artists – the night sky has been a source of inspiration, wonder and exploration.

But now our relationship to dark skies is changing as our access to them is depleted. Light pollution all over Earth can be seen from space, altering the landscape and outlining the coasts. And if we look from Earth into space, we can see artificial light there, too. In this short volume, Anna Levin looks at how we can learn from and nurture our relationship with the night sky even and especially in the context of our changing world.

As you learn how to see and treasure the night sky, a sense of wonder about the universe will help you to understand more about our own pale blue dot.

Gaza I Spy is a powerful and poignant photography book in a luxurious coffee table book style, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of children in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel war. Through over 200 striking images, captured from October 2023 to the present, this book documents the resilience, innocence, and strength of Gaza’s youngest residents as they navigate life among the rubble.

Bound in elegant linen with a handcrafted back cover, Gaza I Spy juxtaposes the opulence of a coffee table book style with the raw reality of war, inviting readers to explore a world that is often inaccessible. The title, inspired by the familiar childhood game “I Spy,” reflects the layers of hidden truths and untold stories within the images.

From one of the earliest mentions of its name in the sixth century to the Covid lockdowns of the twenty-first, this is a magnificent portrait of one of the world’s great cities in its many iterations, from ‘Edinburgh, the sink of abomination’ to the Athens of the North and everything – including the home of the Enlightenment, the Festival City, the Aids Capital of Europe and a Mecca for tourists seeking tartan tat – in between.

As the nation’s capital it has been critical to its progress and a witness to epochal events, such the tumultuous reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Reformation, the Forty-Five rebellion, the Disruption of the Church of Scotland and the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament. All of these and more feature. But this is not simply a book about the great and good, the famous and infamous. There is testimony aplenty from ordinary folk who may not have made their mark on history but who have contributed to Edinburgh’s ever-expanding tapestry.

There are stories body snatching and murder, drunkenness and drug-taking, sex and shopping, as well rants against inclement weather and the city council.

From the bestselling ‘Queen of Colouring’, a gorgeous new colouring book that explores fairytale worlds and intricate magical vistas.

Magical Worlds is a colouring book of faraway lands, enchanted castles, and inky realms, all featuring Johanna Basford’s trademark illustrations. Let your creativity take you on an incredible journey as you add colour to underwater cities, tiny, cosy cottages, and marvellous tree houses.

A beautiful lay-flat binding, thick cream paper and cover laced with delicate gold foiling make this book a treasure to bring to life with colour.

A feel-good, uplifting tale of two women who make a life-changing connection. 

In Ethiopia, beautiful Sylvie’s successful life is derailed by a disastrous childbirth. With no money and no hope, all seems lost.

In London, feisty Juliet is struggling with the many challenges facing a female surgeon as well as inner traumas of her own. Unsure how to balance career, love and life, she escapes to Ethiopia.

Under the vast African sky, these two women’s lives are unexpectedly brought together. Can they help each other come to terms with their pasts? And will they be able to see a bright future on the horizon?

Published with the support of global best-selling writer Alexander McCall Smith.

Proceeds from this book go to the Uganda Childbirth Injury Fund https://www.ucif.co.uk/

Meet Black British expat Greg Abimbola – a seemingly mild-mannered Russian language teacher with terrifying secrets – in this stunning mystery set in Pittsburgh, the City of Bridges: Agatha Christie meets John le Carr.

Greg Abimbola is many things. He’s Black, British and fluent in Russian. He’s a snappy dresser, a reasonable teacher, and an unenthusiastic sports fan. But most of all, he’s exceptional at keeping secrets. Like, who he really is, and the things he’s done.

Determined to keep his head down after helping solve a murder in the school basement, Greg fears a trap when Sergeant Rachel Lev of the Pittsburgh police corners him in his apartment. Because his refusal to take credit isn’t modesty, it’s a survival tactic.

But Rachel is here on another matter entirely. She needs his help. She’s lead detective on the homicide of an unidentified man fished from the Allegheny River. With clues scant, and surrounded by colleagues who’d love to see her side-lined, Greg is her final roll of the dice.

Scotland is renowned for its rich tradition of baking.

In this follow-up to The Scottish Vegan Cookbook, you will find all the recipes you might need for making vegan versions of classic Scottish bread, biscuits, fruit loaves, tarts and cakes. The book begins by outlining the baking substitutes you will need for dairy butter, eggs and milk as well as alternative sweeteners, spices and flours. It then provides recipes for Basics, including Lemon Curd, Sweet Wholemeal Shortcrust Pastry, Whipped Cream and Salted Date Caramel that you can use time-and-time again.

The following sections cover Biscuits – from Abernethy Biscuits to Shortbread; Bread, Buns, Oatcakes and Fruit Loaves – including Baps, Barm Loaf and the famous Selkirk Bannock. Further sections cover Cakes such as Dundee Cake and Sticky Gingerbread; Scones; Tarts – including Border Tart and Ecclefechan Tart – and lastly Tray Bakes such as Flapjacks and Tiffin. The book closes with suggestions for holding your own ‘Cookie Shine’ – a Scottish vegan ‘afternoon tea’.

Shifting between English and North-east Scots, Bloodsongs is an ode to matters of the blood: queer carnality; black rage; the crude power of myth; and how history is felt in the body. Offering retellings of legends and biblical stories as well as perspectives on injustices faced today, Mae Diansangu’s radical debut collection marks the arrival of an exciting new voice in Scottish poetry.

NOVA SCOTIA Vol 2 celebrates the depth and breadth of Scotland’s dazzling science fiction and fantasy landscape from its haunted islands to its transformed cities and everything in between.

Featuring: Ken MacLeod, Eliza Chan, Lorraine Wilson, Morag Edward, David Goodman, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Andrew J. Wilson, Pippa Goldschmidt, Dilys Rose, Eris Young, Ali Maloney, Russell Jones, Lindz McLeod, Grant Morrison, Neil Williamson, CL Hellisen, Rhiannon A Grist, Doug Johnstone, T.L. Huchu, Ever Dundas, Jane McKie, Chris Kelso, James Kelman, Carole Johnstone, E.M. Faulds, Jeda Pearl.

We are a nation of crisp obsessives. Squashed into sandwiches on our lunch breaks and torn-open as centrepieces on pub tables, we buy tens of millions of packets every single day. But how did the humble potato snack become a national dish?

CRUNCH: AN ODE TO CRISPS is journalist Natalie Whittle’s love letter to the salty siren. She traces their evolution from the simplicity of salt sachets in the early 20th century, to 80s childhood favourites such as Hula Hoops, to the popularity of ‘hand-cooked’ gourmet flavours today.

Along the way, Natalie will get to the heart of her own lifelong passion for crisps – exploring why they are bound up in ideas of childhood, nostalgia and comfort. Featuring crisp collectors, potato growers, flavour wizards and more, CRUNCH is a moreish read spanning 150 years of crisp history.

A dangerous cult craves a dark power. The Legacy of Arniston House is the spellbinding fourth instalment of the Edinburgh Nights series by T. L. Huchu. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things and Rivers of London.

‘Engrossing and entertaining . . . with genuine emotion – and genuine betrayal’
Genevieve Cogman, author of the Invisible Library series

Ropa Moyo is a wannabe magician, can speak to the dead, and has officially given up being an intern. Leaving Scottish magic behind, she now works for the English Sorcerer Royal. But just as she adjusts to working for the English, an old enemy reveals a devastating secret about her Gran, and Ropa’s world falls apart.

Outraged, she rushes home, but finds her grandmother dead – murdered – with no killer in sight. What’s more, she’s the prime suspect. In her quest to find the true murderer, Ropa becomes caught in the dark tendrils of a cult, hell-bent on resurrecting an ancient power. Ropa must use her wits, her magic, and call in all favours to stop the ritual – and clear her name.

Take a tour of the past and uncover stories of the women whose lives and achievements have shaped our modern world. In Life Lessons from Historical Women, Eleanor Morton celebrates the ordinary women whose decisions and accomplishments in their everyday lives resonate with us today.

Taking inspiration from the thriving self-help genre, Morton reasons that the greatest lessons can be taken from the female forebears who have come before – women whose actions inspire purpose, creativity and rebellion… without a side of pseudo psychology and judgement…

Covering the full gamut of the female experience, and women from all corners of history and the globe, Life Lessons from Historical Women includes chapters on ‘How To Thrive’ with Judith Kerr, ‘Think Like an Entrepreneur’ with Mary Seacole, and ‘How Not to Give a Fuck’ with the famous suffragette martyr Emily Davison.

Whether it’s what we can learn from the first woman to summit Everest or the trailblazing ladies who confirm that pockets have always been must-have in women’s clothing, Eleanor writes with humour and a sincere respect for our history, and imparts valuable lessons for the modern female.

Chief Inspector Gorski returns … 

In the unremarkable French town of Saint-Louis, a mysterious stranger stalks the streets; an elderly woman believes her son is planning to do away with her; a prominent manufacturer drops dead. Between visits to the town’s hostelries, Chief Inspector Georges Gorski ponders the connections, if any, between these events, while all the time grappling with his own domestic and existential demons.

Graeme Macrae Burnet once again pierces the respectable bourgeois façade of small-town life in this, the concluding part of his trilogy of Gorski novels. He injects a wry humour into the tiniest of details and delves into the darkest recesses of his characters’ minds, but above all provides an entertaining, profound and moving read.

‘From the Scottish islands with love, a treasure trove of recipes and folklore’ – DIANA GABALDON, author of Outlander

Fàilte, I’m Coinneach, the Hebridean Baker. Welcome to my Scottish kitchen.

Mastering the art of Scottish baking is more than just perfecting shortbread, scones and clootie dumpling. It’s about capturing the heart and soul of Scotland in every dish. This cookbook is a celebration of Scotland’s timeless culinary traditions and an introduction to new recipes sure to become future family favourites.

Hebridean Baker, The Scottish Cookbook invites you to explore a delightful array of heart-warming soups and pies, show-stopping desserts and mouth-watering cakes, along with irresistible biscuits perfect for dunking in a cup of tea.

Join me on a Scottish island adventure as I share a collection of recipes, flavours, stories, people and memories with you – one delicious bite at a time.

O brave new world, that has such people in’t.

Once upon a time not very far from now, two children come home to find a line of wet red paint encircling the outside of their house.

What does it mean?

It’s a truism of our time that it’ll be the next generation who’ll sort out our increasingly toxic world.

What would that actually be like?

In a state turned hostile, a world of insiders and outsiders, what things of the past can sustain them and what shape can resistance take?

And what’s a horse got to do with any of this?

Gliff is a novel about how we make meaning and how we are made meaningless. With a nod to the traditions of dystopian fiction, a glance at the Kafkaesque, and a new take on the notion of classic, it’s a moving and electrifying read, a vital and prescient tale of the versatility and variety deep-rooted in language, in nature and in human nature.