Wednesday, February 16, 2011

What to Read to your Scottish Deerhound

Break out the shortbread and tea or, even better, a single malt Scotch and haggis treats, the Scots have conquered Westminster again this year (Dog Show, that is.) Congratulations to Hickory Wind, the Scottish Deerhound who won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show last night. Last year Scottish Terrier Sadie won Best in Show. This calls for a list of Scottish authors to read, with or without your Scottish dog by your side. Some of our favorites here at BHPL are:


The librarians here have almost a cult following for Kate Atkinson's novels, try Case Histories for starters.

If you like Kate Atkinson's dark, intricately plotted mysteries, try Val McDermid. For lighter fair, read Isla Dewar.

M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth mystery series for fans of "cozies" make sentimental Americans want to move to the Highlands (well, maybe not in winter). BHPL also has the DVD's of the BBC's Hamish Macbeth starring Robert Carlyle.

Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series takes you to an apartment house in Edinburgh and the lives of it's residents.

Iain Banks' The Crow Road tells the story of an eccentric family living near Glasgow.

Your Scottish dog might like you to recite the poetry of Robert Burns and if you can't get your mouth around those Gaelic sounds, this website has recordings of several of his poems.

And finally, I just discovered The Shetland series by Ann Cleeves. She is not a Scot, but the setting of the mystery series is.

Related Websites:


Tartan Noir


Burns Country


Books from Scotland

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