Books HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS, COMICS & EVENTS
Mike Scott The Waterboys mainman reads from his memoir, titled, for some unknown reason, Adventures of a Waterboy, and performs a short live set. Òran Mór, Glasgow, Fri 24 Aug.
Off the Page James Robertson, Mark Beaumont (pictured), Alan Bissett, Sally Magnusson, Julia Donaldson and Ian Rankin are among those appearing at this year’s Stirling programme. Various venues, Stirling, Sat 8–Sat 15 Sep. Grimms’ Fairy Tales A new exhibition of different translations and illustrations of the Brother Grimms’ beloved (and spooky) 200-year-old fairy tales. National Library of Scotland, Wed 19 Sep.
(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peaceniks, Love and Understanding A gala night in aid of the Middle East Alliance for Peace, fea- turing Emma Pollock (pictured). The Old Hairdressers, Glasgow, Wed 29 Aug.
Neu! Reekie! Avant- garde spoken word, film and music fusion night with a cracking line-up including Tom Leonard (pictured), Kid Canaveral and Teencanteen, plus the right honourable Duglas T Stewart of BMX Bandits. Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh, Fri 31 Aug. Milngavie Book and Arts Festival Among the literary events here are the Fish, Chips and Champagne Crime Night, Julia Donaldson and Sara Sheridan, plus music, workshops and exhibitions. Various venues, Milngavie, Tue 4–Sat 8 Sep.
Zadie Smith With the long-awaited NW, Smith further cements her reputation as one of Britain’s foremost literary talents. The story follows four London-based thirtysomethings whose lives become entwined. See review, page 38. Hamish Hamilton.
Bryan and Mary Talbot The golden couple of the graphic novel world (and joint authors of Dotter of her Father’s Eyes) do a book- signing for their adoring public. See preview in Festival Books, page 103. Plan B Books, Glasgow, Sat 25 Aug.
Bloody Scotland Every aspect of Scottish crime writing is celebrated in this exciting new event, with appearances from Denise Mina, Ian Rankin and William McIlvanney among the highlights. See preview, page 40. Various venues, Fri 14–Sun 16 Sep.
Pat Barker The Booker winner delivers another evocative wartime novel with Toby’s Room, in which a sister tries to find out how her brother (with whom she had a more taboo relationship) died on the battlefield. See review, page 38. Hamish Hamilton.
list.co.uk/books
FirstWrites INTRODUCING DEBUT AUTHORS
JULIA KELLER takes on this issue’s debut author Q&A. Her first murder- mystery novel has been hailed by Karin Slaughter and Scott Turow
Give us five words to describe A Killing in the Hills? Mountains, mayhem, monsters, mothers, memory.
What was the first book you read? If memory serves, it was The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss, which, by the way, I recall that I found profoundly disturbing.
What was the last book you read? I’m hopelessly promiscuous when it comes to reading; no serial literary monogamy for me. So: Broken Harbour by Tana French, Where the Bodies Are Buried by Christopher Brookmyre, and Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell. Which book makes you laugh? Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel. A tale of a psychic and her sidekick that is hilarious and gruesome, all at once. Everyone is rushing to praise Wolf Hall and its sequel, but her earlier novels (Beyond Black and Fludd) are, to me, still her masterpieces. Which dead author do you wish was still alive today? I’d love to see what Virginia Woolf would make of the contemporary world, not only its gadgets, which I believe she would describe with gorgeous rhetorical aplomb, but also the deep visceral feel of being alive at this complicated moment.
What plans do you have for book number two? I am just finishing it, as it happens. It is another mystery, and I love the challenge of creating a narrative about a puzzle, the solution to which must seem utterly surprising and completely inevitable. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ A Killing in the Hills is published by Headline on Thu 30 Aug. See list.co.uk for more of this interview.
23 Aug–20 Sep 2012 THE LIST 37