Homecoming Reads
We've selected a few Edinburgh reads to celebrate the Year of Homecoming - a mix of titles to give a flavour of writing from and about the world's first UNESCO City of Literature. You can find more Homecoming Reads at our sister site www.BooksfromScotland.com and through Reading Roots, the Scottish libraries Homcoming compilation.
God, the Poet & the Devil: Robert Burns & Religion - Donald Smith
Author Donald Smith is the Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre. You can read an online interview with the author at our sister site, www.booksfromscotland.com. The book is published by Edinburgh-based Luath Publishing.
Reading Round Edinburgh - A Guide
Take a fresh look at Scotland's capital through the eyes of the many children's books set in the city. Use the friendly maps to take themed walks around different areas of Edinburgh, reading extracts about the town from local authors, the books they love and the books they have written. The book is published by Edinburgh-based Floris Publishing.
Fleshmarket - Nicola Morgan
The dark side of Edinburgh's past is explored in this gruesome tale of 1820s Edinburgh. Looking at the true tale of the infamous serial killers Burke and Hare, who sold their murder victims to the brilliant anatomist Dr Robert Knox, this tale may be aimed at teenagers but is not for the faint-hearted. Author Nicola Morgan chairs the Society of Authors in Scotland.
Kidnapped - R L Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of adventure has been re-worked into a stylish graphic novel, available in English, Scots and Gaelic and created by artist Cam Kennedy and script writer Alan Grant. Originally commissioned in 2007 as part of One Book - One Edinburgh, the City of Literature Trust's citywide reading campaign, the artwork has now been purchsed by the National Library of Scotland.
Luckenbooth - An Anthology
This Edinburgh anthology includes key poets such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Norman MacCaig, Muriel Spark, Janet Paisley, Stewart Conn, Meg Bateman, Liz Lochhead, Iain Crichton Smith and Hugh MacDiarmid.
back to top
The Edinburgh Literary Companion - Andrew Lownie
A guidebook to Edinburgh that focuses on the literary links of the city, unlike than the conventional historical guidebooks. Learn to look at the city in a new light, and envisage that famous footsteps that have walked in the city's streets. Contains a detailed biography of books inspired by or set in Edinburgh, or written by those who live in the city.
back to top
Hamish McHaggis & the Clan Gathering - Linda Strachan & Sally Collins
In this the year of Homecoming, Hamish and his grandpappy, Rory McHaggis (the clan chief), have invited the McHaggises from all over the world to come back to Scotland, to Coorie Doon for the McHaggis Clan Gathering. With Scots words to learn and a simple glossary in the back, this is another delightful romp with the Angus, the cheeky pine marten, Jeannie the osprey and Rupert the travelling hedgehog from Kent, and of course Hamish himself.
One Good Turn - Kate Atkinson
Set in Edinburgh during the height of the Festival season, One Good Turn is part of Atkinson's successful Jackson Brodie series. As well as conveying the buzz of an Edinburgh August, Atkinson's novel is another beautifully crafted piece of crime fiction from the acclaimed author of Case Histories.
back to top
The Sound of My Voice - Ron Butlin
A major piece of fiction and contemporary classic by Edinburgh's current Makar, The Sound of My Voice is the haunting story of one man's inner struggle to pull his life back from a pathway of self-destruction. The recent edition has a foreword by Irvine Welsh.
back to top
100 Favourite Scottish Love Poems
A collection of well loved poems on a romantic theme, ranging from traditional Scots ballads to literary greats like Hogg and Byron. Published by Luath Press.
Our City - An Anthology
A collection of newly commissioned stories from some of Scotland's top children's writers, compiled as a sequel to the massively successful One City charity book that featured Rankin, Welsh, McCall-Smith and J K Rowling. Published by Edinburgh's Polygon, an imprint of Birlinn.
back to top
The Literary Traveller in Scotland - Allan Foster
Birthplaces, childhood homes, graves - follow the lives of writers in Scotland throughout the centuries. Visit the landscapes that they immortalised, the cafes and bookshops they frequented, the museums that commemorate them. Follow the trails that their stories take - from The 39 Steps and the voyage of Stevenson's Kidnapped to enduring sites of inspiration like Rosslyn Chapel, featured in The Da Vinci Code.
Of course, there are many more famous titles to come out of Edinburgh: Alexander McCall-Smith's 44 Scotland Street series, Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus calls Auld Reekie his home and Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting explores the darker side of the Scottish capital.