Books HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
Borders Book Festival A long weekend of literary and celebrity delights in the Borders with many high-profile guests, including Maureen Lipman, Michael Parkinson, Peter Snow, Sarah Brown and Alexander McCall Smith. Harmony Garden, Melrose, Thu 16–Sun 19 Jun.
Christopher Brookmyre In his new book, the Paisley-born crime writer lets us know exactly Where the Bodies are Buried. The Caves, Edinburgh, Wed 1 Jun; Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow, Mon 6 Jun.
Jon Ronson He’s poked around those who believe that giant lizards are taking over the world; now he’s wondering just how much of a psychopath is in all of us. See review, page 66. Picador. James Robertson The Fife author discusses his most recent novel, And the Land Lay Still, in which a series of photographs triggers deep reflections on Scotland since the war. William Patrick Library, Glasgow, Thu 23 Jun.
Geoff Johns Test pilot Hal Jordon is bequeathed the power of the Green Lantern by Abin Sur in this reissue of Johns’ adaptation of GL’s origins, just ahead of the blockbuster movie adaptation. See review, page 67. Titan. Iain M Banks Your chance to get IMB to scribble his name on your copy of his latest sci-fi culture novel, Surface Detail, where a brutal war is raging within the digital realms that store the souls of the dead. Waterstone’s, Edinburgh, Thu 9 Jun.
Meaghan Delahunt Edinburgh-based Aussie writer Delahunt launches her new novel, To the Island, the story of a woman’s search for her Greek birth-father. Word Power, Edinburgh, Thu 2 Jun.
Rendez-vous au café A hit at the recent Unholyrood Scottish PEN Event Dorothy- Grace Elder, Liu
gig, poet David Kinloch delves into the history of political and artistic bonds between Scotland and France. Institut Français d’Ecosse, Edinburgh, Thu 9 Jun. Xiaobo and Zoe Wicomb of the Writers in Prison Committee speak on behalf of persecuted and imprisoned writers around the world. Partick Library, Glasgow, Thu 23 Jun.
Tessa Ransford & Christine De Luca As part of the Leith Festival, these two popular figures in the Scottish poetry scene read selections from their extensive work. The Granary, Edinburgh, Wed 15 Jun.
list.co.uk/books
FirstWrites INTRODUCING DEBUT AUTHORS
Our debut author Q&As continue with ALICE OZMA, whose first book is about an unbreakable parent-child bond and the joys of growing up with literature
Give us five words to describe The Reading Promise? Books and love. Not sappy! Which book makes you cry? The Old Curiosity Shop is beat- you-over-the-head sad. I found American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld to be moving in a poignant, calm way. We fall in love with the character, and we cry over such little things; at least I did.
Which author makes you laugh? David Sedaris knows how to balance humour with pain; we sometimes go three or four pages without even chuckling, and then have to put down the book because we’re absolutely screaming with laughter. I love that back and forth. Which dead author do you wish was still alive today? I’d love to chat with JD Salinger. I always considered myself extremely outgoing, but being a writer has made me a bit more shy and self-conscious. I know he was a bit of a recluse, so I’d be curious to hear if he regretted that.
What one thing would you change about the publishing world? The amount of reading you end up doing about yourself. Every day my publicist, agent or editor will forward me an article, or a mention, and every time I am supposed to be thrilled. It feels egotistical. What plans do you have for book number two? I am about 65% sure I’d like to write another. For 23 years old, though, I’m happy with just one book for now. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ The Reading Promise: 3218 Nights of Reading with My Father is published by Hodder & Stoughton on Thu 9 Jun.
26 May–23 Jun 2011 THE LIST 65