Read Scotland 2014
Despite all my efforts to be sensible I've found another challenge I simply can't resist. Cath talked about it in November, and others have been signing up since. When Margaret at BooksPlease posted her plans for reading,I knew I was going to have to give in and sign up for Peggy Ann's Read Scotland challenge -- well, I can see it (Scotland, that is) when I look over the garden wall, and I grew up there, as did my sons... (in case anyone is interested, me nearly dead centre, sons in the southwest corner):
The challenge is just to read Scottish books, either by Scottish authors or set in Scotland. I've decided that I'm going to read books by Scottish women -- though I might sneakily decide that books about Scottish women count too! So far my possible reading list includes books by:
O Douglas
Jane Duncan
Lari Don
Linda Gillard
D.E. Stevenson
Josephine Tey
Margaret Elphinstone
and maybe Dorothy Dunnett and Margaret Oliphant -- a mix of the old and the new, and Highlands and Lowlands. I suspect a bit of M.C Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series might creep in there, as well and, if books about Scottish women count too, then Alexander McCall Smith's Isobel Dalhousie novels may get a look in; I've got at least one, if not two, to read, and I do love them.
I may also count Lillian Beckwith and Rowena Farre as a honorary Scots for the challenge, as I'd like to revisit their books, which I read and loved when I was growing up. Both wrote about Scottish childhoods, and on that subject, I'd like to re-read some of the memoirs of Elizabeth Grant, the eponymous "Highland Lady", books I'd recommend to anyone interested in the social history of Scotland. Particularly the first volume, which deals with her childhood, and is superb alongside A Childhood in Scotland by Christian Miller.
I shall going for the Highlander category, 5-8 books, since I grew up there. I'll be fascinated to read everyone else's reactions to the Challenge, and share some new perspectives on the country I love.
The challenge is just to read Scottish books, either by Scottish authors or set in Scotland. I've decided that I'm going to read books by Scottish women -- though I might sneakily decide that books about Scottish women count too! So far my possible reading list includes books by:
O Douglas
Jane Duncan
Lari Don
Linda Gillard
D.E. Stevenson
Josephine Tey
Margaret Elphinstone
and maybe Dorothy Dunnett and Margaret Oliphant -- a mix of the old and the new, and Highlands and Lowlands. I suspect a bit of M.C Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series might creep in there, as well and, if books about Scottish women count too, then Alexander McCall Smith's Isobel Dalhousie novels may get a look in; I've got at least one, if not two, to read, and I do love them.
I may also count Lillian Beckwith and Rowena Farre as a honorary Scots for the challenge, as I'd like to revisit their books, which I read and loved when I was growing up. Both wrote about Scottish childhoods, and on that subject, I'd like to re-read some of the memoirs of Elizabeth Grant, the eponymous "Highland Lady", books I'd recommend to anyone interested in the social history of Scotland. Particularly the first volume, which deals with her childhood, and is superb alongside A Childhood in Scotland by Christian Miller.
I shall going for the Highlander category, 5-8 books, since I grew up there. I'll be fascinated to read everyone else's reactions to the Challenge, and share some new perspectives on the country I love.
Jodie, I read all Lillian Beckwith's books! Loved them. I have a feeling I'll find so many new to me authors thru this to keep me reading Scotland for years to come!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading some of them again, Peggy Ann. It's a lovely challenge to look forward to.
DeleteAmused to see Jane Duncan on the list. I loved her books and was reading one before my son was born. In-laws were visiting and we couldn't agree on a name so in a snit I looked at the book I was reading and suggested Duncan - which is his name!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Mary Stewart? Married to a Scot and a long-time resident?
Duncan is lovely name! Oh yes, to Mary Stewart, I shall add her to the list.
DeleteDelighted that you're doing this one. And you've chosen some good authors. I'm planning to read some Josephine Tey myself as my daughter has a load of her books. Look forward to seeing what you read and I daresay I'll end up reading some of them myself. LOL.
ReplyDeleteThat'll work both ways, Cath! I'm looking forward to your choices too!
DeleteHello, I saw this challenge a few days ago and think it's a great idea, it looks like you've got plenty of good ones picked out. Lillian Beckwith is a favourite of mine. I definitely need to read more Josephine Tey, and should do this, but I've been so undisciplined in my reading lately that I'm not going to commit just yet!
ReplyDeleteI love Josephine Tey - my favourite is Miss Pym Disposes.
DeleteI'm so pleased you're doing this too! I'm tempted to revisit Lillian Beckwith's books too. I read some of them years ago and loved them.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be fun if other people are reading them during the year.
DeleteOoh, you know I am tempted! I didn't know I could use M.C. Beaton, so now I'm really feeling the pull. Especially as that new Ian Rankin still needs to be read, and I have the last two in the Peter May series on my pile....oh yes, I can do this one! Sir Walter Scott too, to read.....thank you for the post and the reminder. I hope you enjoy the challenge too :-)
ReplyDeleteI thought I could fill up on Hamish Macbeth if time got short :-) But I can't add Rankin because of only doing women. It'll be fun to have you doing it too.
DeleteWell I have enough challenges already, but this sounds great - I will look forward to hearing how you do. I keep hearing about O Douglas and hope to read some of her books this year. Good luck with your challenge. So although I'm not officially going to sign up, I may be joining you in one or two Scottish reads at some point. I'e neer read Josephine Tey either - maybe I should.
ReplyDeleteO Douglas is lovely and restful to read, and there's some on Project Gutenberg, which is useful. Josephine Tey's an interesting writer - my favourite is Miss Pym Disposes.
DeleteJohn MacNab by John Buchan or Sick heart river.... Treasure Island by Stevenson, Ivanhoe by Scott (although I suffer in Ivanhoe as I do in Mansfield Park of rooting for the wrong person)... I could try this challenge myself if I wasn't so totally rubbish at Challenges
ReplyDelete