Tuesday 7 December 2010

Warm Hearts, Cold Snow, Bad Lungs, Good Music

First of all, thanks to everyone so far for your on- and offline responses to my Alternative World Book Night post. We might not make 1 million books, but it looks as though we'll make a good dent. Thank you.

The poor Glasgow gangland snowman in a nearby garden that I mentioned earlier took a pounding yesterday when we had fresh snow. Lots of fresh snow - enough to bring Glasgow to a standstill. He's now looking the worse for wear - as though he has been having a good bevvy down the pub, fell over in the snow, and got a kicking from some Buckfast-fuelled neds.

Luckily for me, I have had a relapse and am still stuck inside with the bloody pneumonia (which has now outstayed its welcome like an annoying aunt who re-arranges your spice rack and your knicker drawer). It meant that I unfortunately missed the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club gig last night which I'm gutted about, but, on the plus side, I am warm and toasty and working on a screenplay. I have the internet, antibiotics, orange juice, warm socks, books and Sonic Youth playing in the background. Bliss, or what?

Alexander McCall Smith at the Bath LitFest on 3rd March.

Marilyn Stasio of the New York Times includes some Scottish crime fiction in her best of list for 2010. And here's a handy round-up of many of the 2010 favourites features in the Press.

A few reviews - first of all Gillian Galbraith's BLOOD IN THE WATER over at the Mystery and Suspense Blog. Rundpinne reviews THE SHERLOCKIAN by Graham Moore. Amused By Books enjoys Kate Atkinson's BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM, Scotland on Sunday reviews Catriona McPherson's DANDY GILVER AND AN UNSUITABLE DAY FOR A MURDER. Heaven-Ali on M C Beaton's AGATHA RAISIN AND THE HAUNTED HOUSE. And the lovely Dorte reviews Aline Templeton's COLD IN THE EARTH.

The Novel Road interviews Ken McClure.

Stuart MacBride on having cabin fever.

Morrigan Books - the talented people behind the excellent short story anthology REQUIEMS FOR THE DEPARTED are looking for submissions for their new e-book range.

And, finally, Un:Bound now has a new online video magazine-style show webcast-y thing, for genre fiction news, reviews and interviews.

4 comments:

  1. I misread 'annoying aunt' there.. Get well soon.
    27 x

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  2. LOL 27 you mean you read it as ant? :o)

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  3. Thanks for linking to my review! You are correct, I did enjoy Kate Atkinson!

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  4. Amused - you are most welcome!

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