Books HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
Adam Ross His debut novel Mr Peanut went down a storm in 2010 and the US writer should receive equal adoration for his short story collection, Ladies and Gentlemen. See review, page 68. Jonathan Cape.
PlayGroup Jo Clifford’s adaptation of Faust is up for discussion, ahead of a matinee performance of The Tree of Knowledge (pictured – see review, page 113). Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 15 Dec. Charles Stross The fourth in his Laundry series, Stross reads a section from The Apocalypse Codex, before leaping into a Q&A session and signing. Pulp Fiction, Edinburgh, Sat 17 Dec.
Ian Rankin A signing gig for The Impossible Dead which, according to one critic, will have us looking at the SNP in a very different light. Waterstone’s, Edinburgh, Sat 17 Dec.
Simon Armitage After the glorious reception that greeted his Sir Gawain and the Green Knight translation, the much- loved Yorkshire poet, playwright, and novelist applies the same technique to the King Arthur legend. See review, page 68. Faber. Miranda July The modern day Renaissance Woman (writer, director, playwright, actor) delivers another weird and wonderful artefact with It Chooses You, which starts off as an act of procrastination but results in genius. See review, page 68. Canongate.
Short and Sweet It’s National Short Story Day on the shortest day of the year (coincidence? We think not) and this is a chance to listen to some trimmed tales and/or bring your own. Glasgow Women’s Library, Wed 21 Dec.
West Lothian Write! Enjoy spectating on this evening of poetry, readings and storytelling, hosted by Magi Gibson, or register at the box office and get your own six minutes to shine. Howden Park Centre, Livingston, Fri 16 Dec.
Ron Butlin The Edinburgh Makar, author of the inspirational and influential Sound of My Voice, chats about how he writes across some very different literary disciplines. See caption, page 69. CCA, Glasgow, Thu 5 Jan.
Inky Fingers Open Mic Another opportunity for local writers-performers to unleash their rant, poem, ballad, diary entry, haiku or short story. Expect some sort of subversion of festive traditions. The Third Door, Edinburgh, Thu 22 Dec.
list.co.uk/books
FirstWrites INTRODUCING DEBUT AUTHORS
Our debut author Q&As continue with ALLAN WILSON, whose first book is a collection of vignettes about love, lies, break-ups and betrayal
Give us five words to describe Wasted in Love? Raymond Carver shagging Arab Strap.
Name one author who should be more famous than they are now and why? Agnes Owens. Funny, tender and honest, her writing is about the lives of everyday people and the little tragedies within relationships that to most human beings are more important than political thrillers or vampires or Jeffrey fucking Archer. What was the first book you read? The Mr Men books. I couldn’t get enough of Mr Happy. Every pet I’ve ever had I named Happy. Happy the hamster, Happy the rabbit. Had another hamster and called it Happy as well.
What was the last book you read? This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff.
Which book makes you cry? The Incredible Adam Spark by Alan Bissett, because we as the reader are more aware of what’s going on in Adam’s world than he is. We can see the bad things that await him and will them not to happen. But we’re powerless. It’s the happy bits that get me, when he overcomes his problems and things go right for him. He’s a fictional character but I believe in Adam completely. What plans do you have for book number two? I don’t want to say too much because it’ll kill it before it’s finished. But I’m excited about it and I’m having fun. If I’m enjoying writing it then hopefully people will enjoy reading it. If not, at least for a wee while I’ll have been happy. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ Wasted in Love is out now published by Cargo.
15 Dec 2011–5 Jan 2012 THE LIST 67