Books HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
Michael Moore The rabblerouser who had an Oscars crowd baying for his blood makes a rare appearance on these shores to chat about Here Comes Trouble. Apparently this is not on Dubya’s Christmas list to Santa. Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Thu 20 Oct.
Francesca Simon The writer behind the Horrid Henry juggernaut launches her new literary endeavour, The Sleeping Army, based on the Lewis Chessmen. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Sat 22 Oct. Edinburgh Independent & Radical Book Fair Annual fair featuring stalls, screenings, workshops and author events with the likes of Liz Lochhead. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh, Wed 26–Sun 30 Oct.
Daniel Clowes Reprint of Clowes’ 2004 story The Death-Ray, in which slacker Andy discovers that a puff on a tab invests him with super-strength. But will he use that power wisely? See review, page 52. Jonathan Cape.
The Mulgray Twins The Portobello-based seventy-something twins fling their Customs and Excise investigator DJ Smith and her Persian cat Gorgonzola into a new adventure. Blackwells, Edinburgh, Tue 25 Oct. Carol Ann Duffy and Liz Lochhead The Poet Laureate and the Scots Makar pop into the evocative setting of the Scottish Bard’s crib to read from their own work. Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Ayr, Thu 27 Oct.
Celia Imrie The acclaimed actress from feel-good films such as Nanny McPhee and Calendar Girls and TV hits Dinnerladies and Kingdom chats about her glittering career. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Sat 29 Oct.
Lennoxlove Book Festival A beautiful setting and a fine line-up makes this a must-visit event in the book world’s autumn calendar. See listings preview, page 53. Lennoxlove House, Haddington, Fri 4–Sun 6 Nov.
Kirsty Logan & Michael Pederson Readings by Logan, the New Writers’ Award winner, and Pederson, the thrusting young chap behind Edinburgh’s Neu! Reekie! CCA, Glasgow, Thu 10 Nov.
Don DeLillo The Angel Esmeralda is the latest release from the US literary titan, a short story collection that spans his career and shows the breadth and depth of his unique authorial mind. See review, page 51. Picador.
list.co.uk/books
FirstWrites INTRODUCING DEBUT AUTHORS
Our debut author Q&As continue with V CAMPBELL, whose first book is a tale of action and adventure as 16- year-old Redknee seeks out his destiny on the shores of the Promised Land Give us five words to describe Viking Gold? Historical teen action adventure quest. Name one author who should be more famous than they are now? John Christopher for his young adult sci-fi. My husband and I read his books together and they left us talking for weeks about what we would do in an apocalypse! What was the first book you read? Probably a Ladybird book: Warwick the King Maker and The Adventures of Robin Hood remain in my mind. What was the last book you read? Dark Water by Caro Ramsay, a fantastic and scary Glasgow crime thriller. Which book makes you cry? I always cry at The Scarlet Pimpernel, which I think is a worrying trait, and I cried at the end of One Day, which is a slightly less worrying show of emotion. What one thing would you change about the publishing world? More (or any) parties on luxury yachts moored off Cannes. Which book makes you laugh? The Twits by Roald Dahl, because I’m naturally slovenly. What plans do you have for book number two? I’ve an idea for a second Viking adventure featuring the same characters, Redknee and Sinead, and for a contemporary murder mystery series. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ Viking Gold is published by Fledgling Press Limited on Mon 7 Nov; V Campbell is at Waterstone’s, Glasgow, Thu 10 Nov.
20 Oct–17 Nov 2011 THE LIST 49