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Signing up for this level, books on my list for January

DNF Winter Tales - author Scottish

Good luck Mel - The House Between Tides sounds right up my street - let me know what you think of it :)

Ah yes, the first abandoned book.

Winter Tales by Kenneth Stevens was just terrible.

Just finished the Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane, the kid and I read it out to each other aloud. So lovely.

1. The Lost Words - author Scottish

2. A Mask of Shadows by Oscar de Muriel

Book 3 in the Frey&McGray series, a Victorian mystery series set in Edinburgh. Good fun, loads of banter. Liked it despite it being set in the theatre (not a fan of mysteries set in the stage setting normally), looking forward to release of book 4 later in the spring.

3. The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine

A dual timeline story, one set just before WWI and one in 2010. Really reminded me of Kate Morton and her House at Riverton in style. I quite enjoyed this one. It will not shatter literary history and create new norms in storytelling but it is certainly a nice, cosy type read. A tad long in places, but does surprisingly (for a novel of this type) shine a light on the unfairness of the laird system and the tenants being totally dependent on the whims of that one person. Set in the Hebrides.

4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (author lives in Scotland)

Finally. I had this book on my shelf for a while and every month, I would look at it and think: I need to read you soon. And now I did.
It is the story of Ursula, who is born in February 1910 on a very snowy night. She dies, the umbilical cord tied around her neck. She is born again on the same night in February 1910, but this time the doctor managed to arrive at her house and saved her life. Ursula continues to die at various points in her life and getting a do over, she does not consciously remember her other lives, but her intuition leads her often away from making the same mistake twice. The parts of the novel during the Blitz and London and also during the war in Germany were my absolute favourite bits, haunting and evocative. Also: I lived on the same road in Munich for a while as Ursula did.

Melanie wrote: "4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (author lives in Scotland)

Finally. I had this book on my shelf for a while and every month, I would look at it and think: I need..."

Wow, what a fascinating idea for a story. And a great link to Munich for you Melanie, it's always interesting/weird when stories come close to home.

I made a video yesterday about my Scotland TBR for this year and about this group :)

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (author lives in Scotland)

Finally. I had this book on my shelf for a while and every month, I would look at it a..."
I always find it fascinating when a place pops up, you know so well.

5. The Gabriel Hounds by Mary Stewart - (author lived in Scotland and was married to a Scot)

I adore Mary Stewart, she wrote from the 1950ies onwards, most cosy mysteries and a fantasy series. It was just perfect to escape dark, grey Birmingham and wander around the Middle East during the 1960ies.

6. Sealskin by Su Bristow

A story based on the Selkie myth. Set on the Hebrides. I really liked it despite not liking any of the characters, it was atmospheric, claustrophobic. A great read.

7. The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart

8. The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart, slowly making my way through all of her books :)

9. Sugar Money by Jane Harris, I really liked this one, never got on with Jane Harris before, but thought this was brilliant, also nominated for the Walter Scott Prize

10. The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsly, set in Eyemouth. Cosy mystery with some ghost element, I do like her books, especially those set in Scotland.

11. Marriage by Susan Ferrier A Scottish Classic, published in 1818. She is often compared to Jane Austen and I can see that, but I find Ferrier even funnier than Austen and a lot more snarky! Absolutely loved this.

Melanie wrote: "9. Sugar Money by Jane Harris, I really liked this one, never got on with Jane Harris before, but thought this was brilliant, also nominated for the Walter Scott Prize"

It's fab, it's it :) I went to see her talk about the book and loved how she invented Lucien's language, I loved his voice and character. I'm looking through your list for ideas, never heard of Susan Ferrier, I'm intrigued...

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "9. Sugar Money by Jane Harris, I really liked this one, never got on with Jane Harris before, but thought this was brilliant, also nominated for the Walter Scott Pri..."

Susan Ferrier was wonderful. Highly recommend her, so much amusement was had in her comparisons of Scots and English folk.

And Jane Harris' book was wonderful, I hope it wins the Walter Scott Prize.

12. Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole

I thought this was ok, some things in this book showed the author to have not that in-depth knowledge of Scottish folk 100 years ago (like lavish Christmas celebrations e.g.). The book is told in letters from various points of views and one timeline is set around WWI and the other around WWII. Both things, I am a bit tired of, so goodness knows, why I picked this up.

Melanie wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "9. Sugar Money by Jane Harris, I really liked this one, never got on with Jane Harris before, but thought this was brilliant, also nominated for the Wa..."

I'll look for her book, as an English person living in Scotland, I take the mickey out of my Englishness all the time (I'll never be as cool as the Scots!) so it sounds up my street.

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "9. Sugar Money by Jane Harris, I really liked this one, never got on with Jane Harris before, but thought this was brilliant, also nomi..."

Well, you have chosen to be as cool as the Scots by living there.

12. The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan. I remember reading this as one of my first adult books as a kid. Loved it, listened to the audiobook while going for walks and it was good fun if dated.

Melanie wrote: "12. The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan. I remember reading this as one of my first adult books as a kid. Loved it, listened to the audiobook while going for walks and it was good ..."

I read this three years ago. It's very much of its time but a fast read.

Does anyone know if The Thirty-Nine Steps was made into a movie?

Ellen wrote: "Does anyone know if The Thirty-Nine Steps was made into a movie?"

Several times I think. The first was directed by Hitchcock and starred Robert Donat. There was one in the 1950s with Kenneth More as Richard Hannay and another (in the 1970s?) with Robert Powell in the lead role. There was also a BBC two part adaptation about five years ago.

Thank you Jack. I noticed my library has both the book & the movie.

Ellen wrote: "Thank you Jack. I noticed my library has both the book & the movie."

Yes there was an adaptation with Rupert Penry Jones not so long ago, and several older ones, one from the 1930ies, which is very good.

13. My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart (author lived in Scotland all her life)

I just adore a Mary Stewart, cosy, mysterious, light reading for those weeks when work is close to overwhelming me.

Jack wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Does anyone know if The Thirty-Nine Steps was made into a movie?"

Several times I think. The first was directed by Hitchcock and starred Robert Donat. There was one in the 1950s with..."
The CD is very fast. I wonder how they were able to make it into a movie. Fast and quite enjoyable.

14. Borrowed Time by Jenni Daiches

Nice little book by a small Scottish press (Vagabond in Glasgow) about a women in her late 60ies moving to a remote area in Scotland to live in a Railway Carriage after her husband died. A bit confused in its themes, but still enjoyed it enough.

15. The Ghost of Helen Addison by Charles E. McGarry both book set in Scotland and author is Scottish and the publisher is Scottish.

I quite liked it despite the main character being a bit of an idiot. It's a murder mystery but the main character can use his psychic abilities to communicate with the ghost of the murder victim. This is book 1 in a series, book 2 comes out next month.

Melanie wrote: "15. The Ghost of Helen Addison by Charles E. McGarry both book set in Scotland and author is Scottish and the publisher is Scottish.

I quite liked it despite the..."

I like the sound of it, made me chuckle - ouija board detective!

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "15. The Ghost of Helen Addison by Charles E. McGarry both book set in Scotland and author is Scottish and the publisher is Scottish.

I quite like..."
haha a bit like that.

Book 16: Destroying Angel by S.G. MacLean

I love this author, her Alexander Seaton series (set in Scotland too) was one of my favourites and this series is set during Cromwell's Commonwealth. The author lives near Inverness and likes to cycle around the area and she is just adorable. And her books are wonderful, proper good historical mysteries. Highly, Highly Recommend. This is book 3 in the series. So start at the beginning.

Book 17 This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart. (author lived in Scotland)

Love these books, this one is set in Corfu and I nearly booked a holiday in Corfu. Still might.

Book 18: Airs above Ground by Mary Stewart (author lived in Scotland)
Still making my way through all her books

19. The The Anatomist's Wife

so-so romantic mystery which was perfect to read while lazing in the sun by a lake in the Black Forest :) But I can see myself continuing on with the series ;)

20. Women of the Dunes

Sarah Maine's new book, not as good as The House of Tides, but still a nice multi-timeline story.

Melanie wrote: "20. Women of the Dunes

Sarah Maine's new book, not as good as The House of Tides, but still a nice multi-timeline story."

That sounds pretty interesting. I don't normally go for crime novels but I quite like the premise.

21. Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart

Book and author Scottish

Set on Skye in the 1950ies, this is Stewart's darkest book so far. Creepy, well for her standards.

22. His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae by Graeme Macrae Burnet

This was just absolutely brilliant, if a searing read. It has been a long time since a book played so much with my emotions!

Melanie wrote: "22. His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae by Graeme Macrae Burnet

This was just absolutely brilliant, if a searing read. It has bee..."

It’s fantastic, isn’t it! Might read it again, one day, I get the feeling you could glean something different each time. All the tiny and conflicting details make it, I think. Can you tell I’m a fan? :)

Ellen wrote: "Melanie wrote: "22. His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae by Graeme Macrae Burnet

This was just absolutely brilliant, if a searing ..."

I am a fan too, such a brilliant, brilliant book. It will stay with me for a long time!!!

23. Thunder on the Right by Mary Stewart

24. Transcription by Kate Atkinson
25. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
26. A strange Scottish Shore by Juliana Grey

which means I have achieved the minimum target :)

Congrats Melanie :) That’s awesome! I’ve just taken out Case Histories from the library so will be reading it shortly...

27. The Debatable Land: The Lost World Between Scotland and England by Graham Robb
28. Stone Of Destiny by Ian R. Hamilton
29. Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
30. The Wind off the Small Isles by Mary Stewart
31. A Famine of Horses by P.F. Chisholm
32. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson
33. Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart
34. The Loch of the Dead by Oscar de Muriel

Quite pleased with this.