I have a post in draft form about my visit to London to meet up with online bookgroup friends of nearly 15 years, however, I’ve had to up stakes and change plans entirely. I’m not long for the UK, friends. The Landlaird’s broken this camel’s back via a grievous breach of privacy and… Read More May be a bit of a lag.
Needing a break from the relentless beauty of Edinburgh, last week I took a few days away to visit pretty Perth, Scotland. The Scottish Landlaird and I weary of each other’s company, turning a wee snippy and unpleasant left together too long; it’s not a bad thing separating us by a few hundred… Read More The Fair Maid of Perth, Scotland
If I am asked for advice I always say, “Don’t give up the day job”, no matter what it is, because however well your first book did, however large a sum of money you may have made, one swallow does not make a summer or one successful book a long and lucrative career. -Susan… Read More Jacob’s Room is Full of Books by Susan Hill
Not currently employed outside freelancing – not outside the home, I mean – how I spend my time is at my own discretion. A rabid reader, it’s not a stretch guessing what I’ve been doing with my free time these past seven or eight weeks. You betcha! Cups of coffee and toast crumbs… Read More Mrs Gaskell & Me by Nell Stevens
I first met Ian Rankin in 2006 on his Chicago tour stop. I’d been a fan of his John Rebus detective series a short while, as much for the familiar Edinburgh setting as the writing. I fell all over myself talking to Rankin, stuttering and turning red. His accent and rugged good looks made my… Read More An evening with Ian Rankin: Music and Murder
I’m blaming dismal cold and wet weather on my grumpy reading mood. I have never suffered mediocre books gladly. I do not hesitate to throw dull books aside with such force they dent the walls. The older I grow, the less latitude I’m willing to give as time grows shorter. Reviewing books more… Read More Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey
“When you steal from the library, you are preventing anyone else from reading that book, and the very notion makes me want to drop you in the Void.” Piers Anthony Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been, oh, a week since my last confession. The sin’s the same, which should make… Read More New books!: a Confessional
Life’s been challenging for Chris and me this past week. Outside forces have been exerting a lot of negative energy, leaving us two anxiety-ridden insomniacs walking around like yawning zombies. The onset of autumn hasn’t helped. Shortening days coupled with cold winds and driving rain don’t improve the mood. But then it’s Scotland,… Read More Daily Scotland: Excursions to Haddington, East Lothian and Dean Village, Edinburgh
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell is published by Profile Books (£14.99). Monday, 3 March Online orders: 9 Books found: 8 Another beautiful day, marred at an early stage by a customer wearing shorts and knee-length woollen socks who knocked over a pile of books and left them lying on the floor.… Read More The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
Assimilation into Scottish life and culture has been hampered by the obviousness of my American accent. It’s not obnoxiously regional (sorry, fellow countrymen), more News Anchor American. Still. American. I hope it’s my imagination all noise around me stops when I open my mouth, like a space alien has just spoken, causing jaws… Read More Daily Scotland: Accent(uate) the positive.
