Books HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
Alistair Urquhart and Tom Renouf Trevor Royle chairs a discussion between Urquhart (pictured) and Renouf, two genuine troopers who survived tough times behind enemy lines. Blackwells, Edinburgh, Thu 5 May.
Denise Mina The new DS Morrow story has the pregnant copper investigating the case of a murdered young woman while links are made to the hung corpse of a banker. See review, page 37. Orion; Central Library, Dundee, Thu 19 May. Adrian Tomine With Scenes from an Impending Marriage, the talented comics guy answers his wife-to-be’s request within the graphic novel and creates a lasting monument to the build-up. See review, page 38. Faber.
Words Per Minute More spoken word, music, film and performance hosted by Glasgow-based writer- performers Kirsty Logan, Helen Sedgwick and Kirstin Innes. The Arches, Glasgow, Sat 7 May.
Lin Anderson The creator of the acclaimed Rhona MacLeod novels meets her public as she discusses the latest in her series of books involving her forensic scientist. Waterstone’s, Edinburgh, Thu 12 May. The Road North Alec Finlay (pictured) and Ken Cockburn perform works inspired by their travels around Scotland in the company of Japanese poet Basho. The Hidden Gardens, Glasgow, Sun 15 May.
Jane Harris Her follow-up to the massively successful The Observations is Gillespie and I, a fictional memoir which slides between 1880s Glasgow and contemporary London. See review, page 37. Faber.
Boswell Book Festival A long weekend of literary and showbiz delights including Candia McWilliam, Bill Paterson, Kate Adie, Diana Athill and Lynne Truss. Auchinleck House, Cumnock, Fri 20–Sun 22 May.
Mark Radcliffe The ever-popular radio guy is Reelin’ in the Years for which he looks back at his life’s soundtrack, choosing a defining record for each of his 52 years. See profile, page 39. Waterstone’s, Edinburgh, Sat 21 May.
Des Dillon The acclaimed Coatbridge author conducts An Experiment in Compassion, another of his stark yet warm tales this time featuring an alcoholic slipping in and out of sobriety. See review, page 37. Luath.
36 THE LIST 28 Apr–26 May 2011
list.co.uk/books
FirstWrites INTRODUCING DEBUT AUTHORS
This issue’s debut author is FELIX RILEY, whose novel features a man trying to save the US from a devastating attack. Unfortunately, he’s on the run from the NYPD having been framed for murder
Give us five words to describe The Set Up? Break neck secret service thriller.
What was the first book you read? The first book I can remember was The Phantom Tollbooth. Sublime word play for children. What was the last book you read? Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes. A powerful and original account of the Vietnam War.
Which book makes you cry? The Grapes of Wrath. The milk of human kindness runs so very deep. Which book makes you laugh? Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The only book I’ve ever read where I’ve caught myself thinking, ‘You can’t say that!’
Which author should be more famous than they are now? Richard Condon, author of The Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi’s Honor. The latter is a masterclass in how to write a character-centric thriller. That said, he also wrote some weird shit.
Which dead author do you wish was still alive today? Shakespeare. I’d ask him, ‘Bill, which one is it: to be or bloody not to be? Make your mind up.’ What one thing would you change about the publishing world? I wish it would come together and launch the definitive iBook website before Apple and Amazon turn publishing into their bitch.
What plans do you have for book number two? It’s finished. My main character has to put his life on the line defending people he’d rather not. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ The Set Up is published by Michael Joseph on Thu 28 Apr.