Lindsay Littleson’s latest book Ice Cream Boy is a coming-of-age story focused on the Scottish-Italian community, which looks at dementia and our relationship to memory, family and identity. Here, Lindsay tells us about the inspiration behind the novel.   Ice Cream Boy By Lindsay Littleson Published by Floris Books   I began writing Ice Cream Boy soon after my mum’s death from Alzheimer’s disease and that aspect of Luca’s story feels very personal. It was not an easy subject to write about, particularly for children, as there are no positives to dementia. It’s a dreadful di ..read more

Christopher Brookmyre’s The Cracked Mirror looks set to be the most imaginative and entertaining crime novel of the year. He spoke to us about characterisation through memories and breaking boundaries in the crime genre.   The Cracked Mirror By Christopher Brookmyre Published by Abacus     Hello Chris! We at BooksfromScotland are totally intrigued by your upcoming novel, The Cracked Mirror, can you tell our readers what to expect?  in a nutshell, it’s a novel about a Miss Marple type character who finds herself having to team up with a hard boiled LAPD homicide detective wh ..read more

Set between the United States and México, Andrés N. Ordorica’s debut novel How We Named the Stars is a tender and lyrical exploration of belonging, grief, and first love―a love story for those so often written off the page.   How We Named the Stars By Andrés N. Ordorica Published by Saraband    If you asked me, I’d tell you: Cetus, the sea monster—which would no doubt prompt questions charged with panic and intrigue. It’s not a pretty myth, but I’d explain how the Aztecs knew the constellation as Axólotl. Perhaps, being native to México, that pink salamander with its sweet face ..read more

Polygon’s Darklands Tales series continues with the Queen of Crime, Val McDermid taking on the story of Lady Macbeth. It’s a story we think we all know, but this excellent novel will tell you otherwise. In this extract, Lady Macbeth, here known as Gruoch, is married to Gille Coemgáin, Mormaer of Moray. He is hosting a banquet and Gruoch meets Macbeth for the first time.    Queen Macbeth By Val McDermid Published by Polygon    There was roast lamb, wild boar and venison. Sides of salmon and sea trout, smoked fish and mussels. Porridge sweetened with apples baked in honey and ..read more

John Burnside is the winner of the David Cohen Prize for Literature. Ruin, Blossom is a remarkable new collection exploring ageing, mortality and environmental destruction. We’re delighted to share four poems from this striking new collection here at BooksfromScotland.   Extract taken from Ruin, Blossom By John Burnside Published by Vintage     ON THE CLICHÉ   Alone at last, I wanted something lovely to re-use and care for, hours of maintenance and finish, and the sense of déjà vu that comes of being true to what we know.  Lovely as sleep is lovely to the one ..read more

Climate catastropthe leaves the people of Earth fighting for oxygen in Alastair Chisholm’s gripping dystopian thriller, Reek. Illustrated by George Caltsoudas, this book has a dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock so that even more readers can enjoy it. We are delighted to share with you a chapter reading with the author! Reek By Alastair Chisholm Published by Barrington Stoke     Reek by Alastair Chisholm is published by Barrington Stoke in July, priced £7.99   The post Video Reading: Reek by Alastair Chisholm appeared first on Books from Scotland ..read more

The Paris Peacemakers follows three Scots as they attempt to pick up the pieces of their lives while the fabric of Europe is stitched together after the catastrophe of the First World War. Author Flora Johnston spoke to us about the place of women in 20th Century writing and her researching process.   The Paris Pacemakers By Flora Johnston Published by Allison & Busby     Hello Flora, congratulations on the publication of The Paris Peacemakers. Could you tell our readers what to expect?  The Paris Peacemakers is set in France and in Scotland in 1919, against the backdro ..read more

Tom Newlands’ debut novel Only Here, Only Now explores what it means to come of age in a forgotten corner of Scotland and dream of a life that feels out of reach. He spoke to us about exporing his hometown of Fife through writing, and the importance of neurodivergent representation.   Only Here, Only Now By Tom Newlands Published by Pheonix Books     Hello Tom, congratulations on the upcoming publication of Only Here, Only Now. Can you tell readers a little about what they can expect from the book?  Thank you! To introduce the book – Only Here, Only Now follows a young ..read more

Margaret McDonald’s striking debut novel explores the power of identity, community and the Scottish working class. The coming-of-age story is an incisive look at young masculinity and the way even the most fraught childhood is not without hope. Margaret McDonald explores her thoughts on using the Scots language.   Glasgow Boys By Margaret McDonald Published by Faber      Glasgow Boys and its Scots  When I was asked to write about how I use Scots in Glasgow Boys, I found myself drawing such a blank. I’ve never actually been taught Scots or even its history, so I felt ve ..read more

Citrus and spring sunshine are a brilliant mix, so BooksfromScotland thought it the perfect opportunity to share this recipe for St Clement’s shortcake biscuits, taken from Kith: Scottish Seasonal Food For Family and Friends, by Masterchef finalist, Sarah Rankin.    Kith: Scottish Seasonal Recipes By Sarah Rankin Published by Birlinn Ltd    Ingredients Makes 8-10 shortcakes; 16-20 individual biscuits  For the shortbread  226g butter 114g icing sugar 226g plain flour 114g cornflour 3 tbsp caster sugar 1 tbsp lemon zest 1 tbsp orange zest  For the lemon curd c ..read more