Read Scotland discussion

I could have sworn I already signed up but I don't see my post so maybe I dreamed it. I already have 23 unread qualifying books on my Kindle and my goal is to read those. I set ambitious goals for some other challenges too so I am really going to have to keep up the pace this year! I had a long flight this weekend and got a head start by finishing my first two books.

Book 1 - Sixty Degrees North: Around the World in Search of Home by Malachy Tallack. My first book for the challenge this year was one that I absolutely loved. I had high hopes for it, because the idea is so interesting; the author, who grew up in Shetland, writes about his journey around the 60th parallel. He talks about the people and the natural environment in Shetland, Greenland, Russia, Finland, Scandinavia, Canada, and Alaska, exploring what it is that ties these places together. A beautifully written travel memoir.

Book 2 - Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide by J. K. Rowling. A short but fun collection of background information on Harry Potter's school, some of which is not included in the books themselves. I'm a school librarian, so I get to count this as professional reading.

Book 3 - The Accident on the A35 by Graeme Macrae Burnet. I didn't get to participate in the group read last year so was pleased to see this come up recently as a bargain book on Amazon. I read a lot of crime/mystery books and it is really wonderful to find an author who approaches the genre differently. The author has hinted that there will be another book in this series (this is the second one to feature Chief Inspector Gorski); I will be watching for it.

Book 4 - The Disappearance of Adèle Bedeau by Graeme Macrae Burnet.

Book 5 - Deadly Code by Lin Anderson. I didn't think I wanted to read any more in this series, but when I learned that this third book was set in the western islands I decided to give it one more try. There are some things about the writing I don't care for (going back to describe events in past tense instead taking the reader through as things happen; skipping over key parts of conversations, making it hard for the reader to know what the characters know) but the setting on Skye drew me in. My suspension of disbelief was threatened for a while when it seemed there were way too many connections and coincidences, but toward the end when more was explained it seemed more plausible. The story does involve some large-scale conspiracy elements, not usually my thing either, but I kept on turning the pages.

Lorna wrote: "Book 1 - Sixty Degrees North: Around the World in Search of Home by Malachy Tallack. My first book for the challenge this year was one that I absolutely loved. I had high hopes for ..."

This sounds right up my alley, adding it to my list to pick up.

Book 6 - Edinburgh - My Story by Graeme E. Pearson. I picked this book up because its author is a musician whose work I have enjoyed for almost ten years; whenever I find myself in Edinburgh I seek him out at whatever pub he's playing in. Graeme specializes in Scottish songs - mostly traditional, a few of his own invention - and the book tells the story of how he came to do what he does. It won't win any literary awards but I have to admire anyone who is able to sit down and write a book-length memoir (or any kind of book). I also admire Graeme Pearson for writing his own story in the sense of making a life and a living for himself as an independent performer, doing what he loves to do. That takes not just talent but ingenuity and persistence.

Lorna wrote: "Book 3 - The Accident on the A35 by Graeme Macrae Burnet. I didn't get to participate in the group read last year so was pleased to see this come up recently as a bargain book on Am..."

Did you enjoy it? I enjoyed both his A35 and Adele Bedeau novels. Quirky, so odd at times, but refreshing like you say :)

Ellen wrote: "Lorna wrote: "Book 3 - The Accident on the A35 by Graeme Macrae Burnet. I didn't get to participate in the group read last year so was pleased to see this come up recently as a barg..."

Yes, I liked it a lot - I hope this isn't a spoiler, but I thought it was so interesting that the mystery (mysteries) that get solved aren't really an answer to the initial question; more like the accident was a catalyst that set the other revelations in motion. I hope there will be a third book in this series.

Book 7 - Laidlaw by William McIlvanney. I read this one for the May/June group read. I'm a fan of Ian Rankin's Rebus series, and I knew that this book is considered the one that launched the "Tartan Noir" genre. I had wanted to read it for some time but at first I wasn't sure I liked it much. Similes and metaphors are piled on so thick that sometimes it's hard to figure out what the author is trying to say. But I warmed up to it. It's also not a traditional mystery in that you know within the first few pages who did it, what they did, and probably why. The interesting part is following how the investigation proceeds, and the related intrigues and connections among the associates of both victim and perpetrator. The book is loaded with local Glasgow color in its places, people, and language.

Book 8 - Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies by J. K. Rowling. Another collection of articles from the Pottermore website, background reading for my reread of the Harry Potter series this year.

Book 9 - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling. I read each book of this series at the time it was first released, but in the case of the first couple of books that's been over 20 years now and I thought it was time to give them a second look. I wasn't sure at first whether to count them as Scottish reads, but as the author lived in Scotland while she was writing them, and Hogwarts school (where much of the action takes place) is set in a somewhat imaginary Scotland, I am going to add them here. Yeah, the first book was as good as I remembered it.

Book 10 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling. This one might be my least favorite of the series, mainly because it follows the pattern of the first book so closely. Still good. I am impressed by how much foreshadowing there is regarding events that won't happen until much later in the series.

Book 11 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling. This is one of my favorite books in the series. I just think the time-turner thing is so clever. I am watching the film versions after reading each book; the Prisoner movie is good, but it leaves out some important background and dialog from the book. (Halfway to reading goal!)

Lorna wrote: "Book 11 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling. This is one of my favorite books in the series. I just think the time-turner thing is so clever. I am watching the film..."

Halfway! Well done Lorna! :)

Book 12 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling. This one is much better than I remembered it. I remember thinking this story was too long and that it wandered off in too many directions but with the reread I have to say I am enjoying every word of the series.

Book 13 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling. This book was my least favorite of the series the first time through, but Harry's self-centered whininess seems entirely justified to me now. It's an important part of the development of his character.

Book 14 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling. Still the best book of the series, imho. One more to go.

Book 15 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. Late in posting, I read this back in November. Series finished in time for a real-life visit to some Harry Potter sites in London, York, and Edinburgh.

Book 16 - The Public Image by Muriel Spark. I had to read this one for work (advising a student who was writing an essay about it); probably wouldn't have chosen it but it got me a little close to my Scottish reading goal.

Lorna wrote: "Book 16 - The Public Image by Muriel Spark. I had to read this one for work (advising a student who was writing an essay about it); probably wouldn't have chosen it but it got me a lit..."

Heck, Lorna, you got to 16! That's not missing it by a mile in my book, lol. Good luck this year.

Carol wrote: "Lorna wrote: "Book 16 - The Public Image by Muriel Spark. I had to read this one for work (advising a student who was writing an essay about it); probably wouldn't have chosen it but i..."
Thanks!