Books
The Skinny book guide – bringing you book reviews, features, events, reviews and author interviews. Find previews and on the ground reporting from festivals of literature and poetry in Scotland and beyond.
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Book ReviewsThe Hajar Book of Rage, ed. Farhaana Arefin
The first in Hajar Press' new elements anthology series, this book takes as its subject the power and politics of fiery rage Read more »| 27 Oct 2025 -
FeaturesThe Next Generation of Scottish Writers
To celebrate 20 years of The Skinny we look ahead, presenting our Next Generation of Scottish Writers: 12 poets, novelists and essayists who are shaping the future of Scotland's literary landscape. We asked them to write about each other Read more »| 09 Oct 2025 -
Book ReviewsThe Four Spent the Day Together by Chris Kraus
Expansive, self-reflective look at contemporary America from I Love Dick author Read more »| 07 Oct 2025 -
Book ReviewsLa Lucha ed. Carolina Orloff
Charco Press's latest is an incredible collection of essays destabilising traditions of Western feminism through transformative radical ideas Read more »| 07 Oct 2025 -
EventsScottish Books Events: October 2025
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival turns to the north this year, with a programme of events inspired by Nordic traditions. Elsewhere, there are launches at The Portobello Bookshop, Lighthouse Bookshop, Mount Florida Books and more Read more »| 30 Sep 2025 -
Book ReviewsMen in the Sun: And Other Palestinian Stories by Ghassan Kanafani
A remarkable collection of short stories by Palestinian author Ghassan Kanafani are brought together for the first time Read more »| 29 Sep 2025
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Book ReviewsWill There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood
Patricia Lockwood's highly anticipated follow-up to No One Is Talking About This is a formal and narrative masterpiece Read more »| 22 Sep 2025 -
Book ReviewsSomebody Is Walking On Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez
The first non-fiction book from acclaimed Argentine author Mariana Enriquez is an examination of the cultural residue of graveyards Read more »| 22 Sep 2025 -
Book ReviewsCursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
The highly anticipated sophomore novel from the author of My Sister, The Serial Killer is an enjoyable if politically thin read Read more »| 22 Sep 2025 -
FeaturesSelali Fiamanya on his debut novel Before We Hit the Ground
We chat with Glasgow-based debut author Selali Fiamanya, whose debut novel Before We Hit the Ground is a tender and wrenching account of immigrant family dynamics Read more »| 04 Sep 2025 -
EventsScottish Books Events: September 2025
In the quiet lull after the festivals, there's still plenty of book launches and poetry nights on offer across Scotland this September Read more »| 03 Sep 2025 -
Book ReviewsThe Devil Book by Asta Olivia Nordenhof
The eeriness of the pandemic is evoked in Asta Olivia Nordenhof's formally innovative narrative of an unsettling relationship Read more »| 01 Sep 2025 -
Book ReviewsShamiso by Brian Chikwava
An intimately told, raw love story between a Zimbabwean girl and a gender-fluid British person marks author Brian Chikwava as one to watch Read more »| 25 Aug 2025 -
Book ReviewsDiscontent by Beatriz Serrano
Read this book if you want to spend even more time hating your job than you already do Read more »| 20 Aug 2025 -
Book ReviewsLoved One by Aisha Muharrar
Two women try to piece together the life of a loved one in this sweet and funny take on grief and intimacy by Parks and Recreation writer Aisha Muharrar Read more »| 14 Aug 2025