Folks, I’ve agreed to take part in this year’s Caledonian Challenge, walking 24 miles in 12 hours through Glencoe in June. I’m part of a Bloody Scotland team that also includes Chris Brookmyre, Craig Robertson, Matt Bendoris and Gordon Brown, and we’re raising money for Foundation Scotland. If you can, please nip over to our fundraising page and donate. Much appreciated!
Very excited to be appearing at the Ullapool Book Festival this Friday evening with pal Helen FitzGerald. It’s a brilliant festival, see the full weekend programme here.
illustration by Dom McKenzie
Trying to keep more up to date with my review column in Big Issue, so here’s the latest, reviews of novels by Neil Mackay and Lucy Ribchester. Enjoy!
So yesterday was my last day as Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Queen Margaret University. I was there for two years, helping students and staff with all aspects of academic writing. I’m still going to be working with the RLF on other projects, but that’s my time up at QMU. I’ll miss the students, staff and cool campus (see pic) – good luck to all with their studies!
Doug
It’s the book that keeps on rolling. Here’s a brand new lovely review of Gone Again by Sarah Hardy over at By The Letter blog. Thanks, Sarah!
illustration by Dom McKenzie
Here are a bunch of new book reviews that I wrote for The Big Issue. Enjoy!
In Her Wake (Orenda) by Amanda Jennings
The Sunlight Pilgrims (William Heinemann) by Jenni Fagan
Dodgers (No Exit) by Bill Beverly
Patience (Jonathan Cape) by Daniel Clowes
Dog Run Moon (Granta) by Callan Wink
Treats (Freight) by Lara Williams
Quicksand (Harvill Secker) by Henning Mankell
Nobody Told Me (Blackfriars) by Hollie McNish
So after nine years of writing for them, this is likely my last book review in the Independent on Sunday. A lovely and very funny novel by Kevin MacNeil. Enjoy!
Dx
I’ve reviewed six books in The Big Issue recently. Namely:
The North Water by Ian McGuire
Dinosaurs on Other Planets by Danielle McLaughlin
Shame and Wonder by David Searcy
If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes
So while I’m in an info-dump kind of mood, here’s my Indy on Sunday review of Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins, a dystopian doo-dah I didn’t really dig.
Doug Johnstone 