Read Scotland 2014 discussion

Tell us something about yourself!

All right, Peggy....you've talked me into it. I'm going to join in for the lowest level and see how that goes. (I'm hoping I've got some qualifying books on the TBR stacks...).

Oh...and, Hi everybody! I'm Bev from Indiana. I have a book blog (My Reader's Block) where it doesn't take long for you to see that I'm kind of a challenge maniac. Just dangle one in front of me and I jump right in. Peggy's been good about joining in on my challenges, so I'm going to see what kind of Scottish books I can find so I can participate in hers.

Bev wrote: "All right, Peggy....you've talked me into it. I'm going to join in for the lowest level and see how that goes. (I'm hoping I've got some qualifying books on the TBR stacks...).

Oh...and, Hi ever..."

So glad you joined, Bev! I'm sure you'll have Scottish authors on your shelf!

Thanks for organising this, Peggy. I'm joining in at the Hebridean level as I have several books by Scottish authors and some of my favourite authors are Scottish.

I feel a bit of a fraud as I'm not doing this challenge so I hope it's still OK to join, Peggy? I'm just so interested to see what you all read. :-)

Cath wrote: "I feel a bit of a fraud as I'm not doing this challenge so I hope it's still OK to join, Peggy? I'm just so interested to see what you all read. :-)"
Of course your welcome to just 'sit' in, Cath!

Margaret wrote: "Thanks for organising this, Peggy. I'm joining in at the Hebridean level as I have several books by Scottish authors and some of my favourite authors are Scottish."
So glad your joining in, Margaret! Can't wait to see what you bring to our reading table!

Of course your welcome to just 'sit' in, Cath!"

Well, having said that I've been giving it some thought and think I may well take part. It would be an ideal opportunity to read some travel books about Scotland or by Scottish authors. Watch this space. :-)

From Edinburgh and reading a great Scottish noir book right now already :

The Necessary Death of Lewis Winter

Also recommend Peter May's Lewis Trilogy of which this is the first:

The Lewis Man


You should really start up a monthly/quarterly poll of Scottish books to read to make this group really interesting, btw...

Stephen, So glad you joined! Peter May is definitely on my radar! I have been on Goodreads for sometime but not really very active. Blogging takes up a lot of my time so figuring out how to do all this is new to me. I will add a poll for this challenge, thanks! I have to figure out how to do it. Stay tuned! I think this group is going to teach me lots of new things:)

Thanks so much for doing this, Peggy! Looking forward to reading a few writers I've been curious about, but never got around to sampling. I never realized how many fine authors are/were from Scotland! After doing a little research, I came up with a huge list of possible choices - but I'm staying conservative and going for the "Highlander" level. Should be a fun challenge.

Joy wrote: "Thanks so much for doing this, Peggy! Looking forward to reading a few writers I've been curious about, but never got around to sampling. I never realized how many fine authors are/were from Scotla..."
Your very Wlecome, Joy! Glad you joined us!

Ritchie wrote: "Hi from Glasgow, the Ben Nevis challenge is appealling to me, Ian Rankin's books alone should cover this!"
Absolutely, Ritchie! I just read my first Rankin a month ago! Have you read the new author, James Oswald, dubbed 'the new Ian Rankin'? He's very good too! Great new series. Thanks for signing on!

Hello! I am also from Indiana (small world, eh Bev?)! I am looking very forward to this challenge, however will probably be popping in and out. If that is not alright, no problem! Good luck with the vote by the way! We are rooting for an Independent Scotland!

Katie wrote: "Hello! I am also from Indiana (small world, eh Bev?)! I am looking very forward to this challenge, however will probably be popping in and out. If that is not alright, no problem! Good luck with th..."

Hi, Katie! Small world, indeed. I'm in Bloomington now--originally from northern Indiana.

I'm also in Bloomington! Wow! Graduated almost two years ago from IU with an English degree (medieval Brit Lit specialty), but work for the University now.

From Leighton Buzzard, down in Bedfordshire. I have a big love of Crime Fiction and there's a lot of exciting stuff from Scotland at the minute......Liam McIlvanney, plus the re-issues of his father, William's Laidlaw books, Malcolm Mackay, Tony Black etc

Aim high, I'll try for 13!

Not to be outdone, I'm going for the 13 too !

Katie wrote: "I'm also in Bloomington! Wow! Graduated almost two years ago from IU with an English degree (medieval Brit Lit specialty), but work for the University now."

Katie...I'm the Grad Secretary for the MA/PhD program in English at IU. Now we're talking a very teeny-tiny world. :-)

Peggy wrote: "Ritchie wrote: "Hi from Glasgow, the Ben Nevis challenge is appealling to me, Ian Rankin's books alone should cover this!"
Absolutely, Ritchie! I just read my first Rankin a month ago! Have you re..."

James Oswald just accepted my Goodreads friend request so I've invited him to join this group.

Stephen wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Ritchie wrote: "Hi from Glasgow, the Ben Nevis challenge is appealling to me, Ian Rankin's books alone should cover this!"
Absolutely, Ritchie! I just read my first Rankin a month ag..."

Great Stephen! James is a super guy and a great reader. Although he complains a lot about not having time to read much anymore between the farm and writing. If you do Twitter you should follow him there @SirBenfro. He is very funny and is a farmer fulltime too. I love following his tweets about the coos and the sheep. He is a very accessible fellow too. He also has a lamcam running when the sheep are lambing. Now he has a buildcam up to watch the progress on his home he is building. He's been making the rounds in your area at bookstores. Stop in and see him when you get a chance! I'm in the States so a friend of mine in Kirkcaldy went and got a book autographed for me. She said he was a great chap!

My wife is doing your challenge via your blog so thought I would join in too. She is doing 1-4 but I think I can come up with at least 5 with a whole year to do it. Really like Scotland as a setting.

GlenK wrote: "My wife is doing your challenge via your blog so thought I would join in too. She is doing 1-4 but I think I can come up with at least 5 with a whole year to do it. Really like Scotland as a setting."

So glad you joined in Glen! Looking forward to getting to know the 'better half' of Tracy:)

Hi, my name is Laurie and I could not pass up this challenge. I will be vacationing in Scotland in May and want to read some books set in Scotland to put me in the mood for my trip. I have not decided on my challenge level yet, but will soon.

Laurie wrote: "Hi, my name is Laurie and I could not pass up this challenge. I will be vacationing in Scotland in May and want to read some books set in Scotland to put me in the mood for my trip. I have not de..."

Wish I could hide in your suitcase, Laurie! Not sure when I'll get over there, although a trip is being planned! One of my favorite settings for a book. What genre do you like to read the most?

By the way, when this is on is a good time to visit:

https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/

Peggy wrote: "Laurie wrote: "Hi, my name is Laurie and I could not pass up this challenge. I will be vacationing in Scotland in May and want to read some books set in Scotland to put me in the mood for my trip...."

Hi Peggy, I read a variety of genres, but my favorites are historical fiction and the classics.

Stephen wrote: "By the way, when this is on is a good time to visit:

https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/"

Wow, sounds like a terrific festival, Stephen. Have you ever been?

Laurie wrote: "Stephen wrote: "By the way, when this is on is a good time to visit:

https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/"

Wow, sounds like a terrific festival, Stephen. Have you ever been?"

Yes, I go every year - went to hear Peter May and Ron Rash this year and have been to see Jo Nesbo and RJ Ellory in previous years, among many others..

Hi my name is Sue and I am from Glasgow. Going to give Ben Nevis a bash with so many great Scottish authors it should be easily done

Sue wrote: "Hi my name is Sue and I am from Glasgow. Going to give Ben Nevis a bash with so many great Scottish authors it should be easily done"
Hi, Sue! Glad your on-board with us! Looking forward to checking out what everyone is reading and meeting lots of new people!

Hi.My name is Lorraine and I live in Pa. I follow Katrina and Evee's book blogs from Scotland and Margaret's blog from England. I will join at the Hebrides level. I already have a pile of books and journal prepared. Glad to be doing this challenge with a group. I'll have to post be e-mail-just the books I read.Thanks.

Lorraine wrote: "Hi.My name is Lorraine and I live in Pa. I follow Katrina and Evee's book blogs from Scotland and Margaret's blog from England. I will join at the Hebrides level. I already have a pile of books and..."
Welcome Lorraine! I live in Pennsylvania too! just north of Pittsburgh. And I follow those same blogs!

Is there a general place for us to put book titles that fit the general category of Scottish authors or locations? I've been reading and trying to find other titles of, books about or taking place in Scotland ever since we spent 5 days there in 2007. I also have some wonderful coffee table type books with gorgeous photography of some of the most beautiful places in Scotland. And, do we have to pick the Highlands or Islands, or can we do both? My name is Julie and I live in the Chicago suburbs, and heard about your blog from a member of our D. E. Stevenson Yahoo group. For many of us, our favorites of her titles, are the ones that have locations in Scotland. :)

Julie wrote: "Is there a general place for us to put book titles that fit the general category of Scottish authors or locations? I've been reading and trying to find other titles of, books about or taking place..."
Hi Julie. I started a 'possibilities' list under bookshelf here at the challenge if you want to look at it and feel free to add to it. On my blog I posted links to list of Scottish books and writers on the challenge sign up page. I will add them here in the 'a bit of crack' discussion folder also. You don't have to pick between highlands or islands the poll is just for fun to see which region folks like best. Just sign up for a challenge level that fits the number of books you want to read during the next year. Sign up for the challenge under the discussion thread for the challenge level you want to aim for A Keek: 1-4, The Highlander: 5-8, The Hebridean:9-12 or Ben Nevis: 13 or more. Then read any type of book fiction, non fiction, travel, as long as it it set in Scotland or written by a Scot. I am looking forward to reading DE Stevenson next year for this challenge! You can count any of her books even if not set in Scotland because she is a Scot! Stop over and read the sign up page on my blog, it might be easier to get the details. http://peggyannspost.blogspot.com/201...
Check the discussions for the lists I am going to post too! So glad to have you on board!

Laurie - we were going to go in june, but have put it off til a year from then. Taking our grown daughter with a concentration on the highlands and islands. Though, would love to see Sutherland and Shetlands and Orkneys! :)

Hello Julie! It's funny, I'd never heard of Muckle Flugga at all. Then earlier this week a question came up on a quiz programme I was watching, about where it is. My husband knew it was in The Shetlands, I didn't. (How shameful is that when I have Scottish blood and he doesn't? LOL) Now today I notice the book, It's a Long Way to Muckle Flugga on the group bookshelf. (I think it was you who added it?) How strange is that? I shall take it as an omen and see if I can get hold of a copy.

Hello! Teresa here, from Northern California! I am also an avid fan and reader of D. E. Stevenson and a "Dessie" friend of Julie, (Hi, Julie!), and thanks to Julie I found this page and challenge, how fun!!! I have a crazy fascination with Scotland...maybe somewhat genetic...my immigrant ancestor was a Scottish prisoner of war from the Battle of Dunbar on 3 Sep 1650. His name was John Hamilton. Anyway, not to digress...I have been wanting to, and trying to, read everything I can about Scotland and the Scottish people. I love this challenge! I will start at The Hebridean level. My first, and so far, only, trip to Scotland was in June 2011 when I had the good fortune of staying on the Isle of Iona for three days and two nights, what an amazing place!!! So, I will be reading fiction and non-fiction. Can't wait! Also, I had no idea about the Scottish blogs that others mentioned above. I would love to read some of these blogs. Where can I find them?

Teresa wrote: "Hello! Teresa here, from Northern California! I am also an avid fan and reader of D. E. Stevenson and a "Dessie" friend of Julie, (Hi, Julie!), and thanks to Julie I found this page and challenge, ..."

Welcome Teresa! Here are the links to the two blogs we mentioned. Katrina, who lives in Fife, has Pining for the West: http://piningforthewest.co.uk/ And Evee who lives in Peebles has a wonderful blog where she post beautiful photos on her blog Evee's Blog: http://evelyn186.blogspot.co.uk/ Enjoy!

Hi all. I am Jane from Memphis, TN, who was also informed about this group by Julie (Thanks Julie). I have been an avid reader of DE Stevenson for a good part of my life: DES is my comfort read. I've been in Scotland once on a 2-week driving vacation that took us from Glascow to the Western Counties and on to Inverness before a visit to the Isle of Skye and finally Edinborough. I've always been a reader of English history and historical fiction and now would like to delve into tales of Scotland.

For anyone with a Kindle or Ipad - amazon has 'miss buncle's book' by d. e. stevenson, free on kindle today -- i can't believe it. as Peggy said, it would count here since it is written by a Scot. It is very funny and one of my favorite stevenson books. i don't even know how many times i've read it.

HI, I'm Suzi, also resident of the outlying Chicago Suburbs and member of the DEStevenson group. I will go for the Highlander level, and warn you that lots will be re-reads of Stevenson, but this will help me to branch out. I just finished re-reading Rosamund Pilcher's Winter Solstice and am determined to visit or live in Scotland before I pass on! I have a non-fiction book on my shelf that I started a couple of years ago, so I think I will begin with that one: "How the Scots Invented the Modern World".

Suzi wrote: "HI, I'm Suzi, also resident of the outlying Chicago Suburbs and member of the DEStevenson group. I will go for the Highlander level, and warn you that lots will be re-reads of Stevenson, but this ..."
Welcome, Suzi! For all you gals that D. E. Stevenson as comfort reads you might like O. Douglas too! She is a Scottish writer of kailyards, comfort reads. Her real name is Anna Buchan, sister of Writer John Buchan. Several of her books are available free in digital form in various places online. Otherwise they are more difficult to find in the States. I've gotten all my books used online. Penny Plain and The Setons are free in digital. Check her out on my blog under the labels if you like. www.peggyannspost.blogspot.com

Julie wrote: "For anyone with a Kindle or Ipad - amazon has 'miss buncle's book' by d. e. stevenson, free on kindle today -- i can't believe it. as Peggy said, it would count here since it is written by a Scot...."
Thanks, Julie! I just got it. I've always wanted to read it! Got Miss Buncle Gets Married for just $1.99 too!

Hi to Peggy and my DES friends and others. I've never signed up for a challenge before and will do the Ben Nevis (what the heck). I would like to know more names of Scottish women writers - not gruesome crime, but do like a bit of suspense ala Kate Morton.

Linda Jacks
Northern Virginia

Linda wrote: "Hi to Peggy and my DES friends and others. I've never signed up for a challenge before and will do the Ben Nevis (what the heck). I would like to know more names of Scottish women writers - not g..."
Hi Linda! Welcome to the trek up Ben Nevis! The view will be beautiful! I think you might like Anna Buchan, aka, O. Douglas. She wrote kailyards, cosy tales, and is the sister of John Buchan of 'The Thirty Nine Steps' fame. I am in the process of collecting all her books! Check her out here http://peggyannspost.blogspot.com/201... also here is a link to a list of Women Scottish writers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category... Good Luck!

Wow! I hope my first time hosting in 2014 reels in this many! What a good variety of peers. I'm Carolyn in central Canada. I write any number of articles at 'RIEDEL Fascination' but it sways largely from the weight of these fine reading circles. :)

I'm dedicated to physical books (wrote an article why) and hope they never stop printing. However that means equal dedication to a nice clean place. Okay, I admit it's an entire outbuilding! It doubles as a great sitting room for the cats, when too dark to step out. ;) I trade or give away what I'm done with, store others. I've been to the Highlands and adore the country. My entries are here. http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2013/11...

Jane wrote: "Hi all. I am Jane from Memphis, TN, who was also informed about this group by Julie (Thanks Julie). I have been an avid reader of DE Stevenson for a good part of my life: DES is my comfort read. I'..."
Welcome Jane! There's nothing quite like a tale from Scotland! I'm looking forward to my first D.E. Stevenson book this year.

Hello all! I'm joining the challenge this year... sounds exciting! I've been interested in Scotland ever since my family brought a Westie into our family. :) That was over 11 years ago, and I'm just crazy about Scotland now.

This is my blog, where I've already shared my list of potential Scottish reads for 2014. http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/
I'll be sharing all about the books as I read them.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is reading too!!

Tarissa wrote: "Hello all! I'm joining the challenge this year... sounds exciting! I've been interested in Scotland ever since my family brought a Westie into our family. :) That was over 11 years ago, and I'm jus..."
So glad you are joining us Tarissa! Looking forward to seeing what you read.