Books HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
Colm Tóibín The acclaimed author of Brooklyn and The Blackwater Lightship reads from ‘Dream Space in Slow Time’, a story penned to mark the current exhibition by Richard Forster. Edinburgh Art Festival Pavilion, Fri 26 Aug.
Neu! Reekie! Festival Showcase An excellent line-up including Aisle 16 chap Ross Sutherland, Des Dillon (pictured) and a film by Ewan Morrison. Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh, Fri 26 & Sat 27 Aug.
George Pelecanos The blazing new crime novel from the noir scribe and Wire writer is The Cut, a snappy and resonant tale about an Iraq vet returning to DC with little purpose but many newfound skills. See review, page 83. John Connolly The Burning Soul is the latest Charlie Parker crime mystery in which a web of deceit gets in the way of him investigating a missing teenager. Waterstone’s, Glasgow, Fri 2 Sep; Waterstone’s Edinburgh, Sat 3 Sep.
Alan Bissett A busy time for the Falkirk scribe as he releases Pack Men, plus he’s helping launch the latest edition of New Scotland Writing. See feature, page 82. Hachette; Waterstone’s, Glasgow, Thu 25 Aug, 1 Sep; Waterstone’s, Falkirk, Sat 3 Sep. Milngavie Book and Arts Festival This year’s event features the likes of James Robertson, Sally Magnusson, RM Hubbert (pictured), Sue Peebles, Postman Pat and Chris Brookmyre. Various venues, Milngavie, Tue 6–Sat 10 Sep.
Alexander Masters His follow- up to the brilliant Stuart: A Life Backwards is The Genius in My Basement in which Masters recalls the mathematics expert and ‘happy man’, Simon P Norton. See review, page 83. Titan.
Janice Galloway In this ‘An Evening With’ event, the Ayrshire author launches the second part of her memoirs, All Made Up, which tackles her tricky teenage years. See Festival Q&A, page 21. Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Thu 8 Sep.
Off the Page Chris Brookmyre, Haunted Stirling, Cathy Cassidy, Gavin Francis, Mark Billingham and some workshops about The Gruffalo all play a part in Stirling’s literary beanfeast. Various venues, Stirling, Sat 10–17 Sep.
DisComBoBuLatE In a special night, regular host Ian Macpherson presents a memoir of Ireland’s Greatet Living Genius. Who just so happens to strike a remarkable resemblance to Macpherson himself . . . CCA, Glasgow, Thu 8 Sep.
list.co.uk/books
FirstWrites INTRODUCING DEBUT AUTHORS
Our debut author Q&A makes a happy return with BELINDA MCKEON, whose first book is about a battle between the rural and urban, and the past and present
Give us five words to describe Solace? Of love, loss and change.
What was the first book you read? Something starring Peter Rabbit. Which book makes you cry?
A surprising number of them do, which either says something about me or literature in general.
Which book makes you laugh? Anything where Flann O’Brien is lurking nearby.
Which dead author do you wish was still alive today? Irish novelist John McGahern because I miss him, and there are many things I’d like to know his take on these days.
Name one author who should be more famous than they are now? The 19th century novelist Maria Edgeworth, often called the Irish Jane Austen (though Anglo-Irish would be more accurate). Austen herself regarded Edgeworth’s novels of social change and manners as favourites. What one thing would you change about the publishing world? For the people who are getting books out to readers not to be so stretched by doing the jobs of several people, as they often now are due to cutbacks.
What plans do you have for book number two?
To finish it! I’m interested in the many sediments of Irish people living in that city. I wouldn’t be the first to have such an interest, of course, but it’s the most recent wave of immigrants I’m most concerned with. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ Solace is out now published by Picador.
25 Aug–22 Sep 2011 THE LIST 81