Books 31-45

FC Barcelona are the greatest football team in the world, the greatest for a generation and possibly the greatest of all time. This is the inside story of how the team came to redefine how the game is played, told by the journalist closer to it than any other. This edition contains a new epilogue reflecting on the departure of Pep Guardiola and Spain's victory at Euro 2012.

Keepers of the Light by Malcolm McPherson (Brown, Son and Ferguson Ltd). There are well over 200 lighthouses positioned around Scotland’s breathtaking and energetic coastline, from the Solway Firth, through the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Pentland Firth, Orkney and Shetland Islands, Moray Firth, Tay and Forth Estuaries. The author has captured 33 of these dramatic Scottish lighthouses in watercolour for this first volume of his original paintings. Each painting is accompanied by a brief description of the lighthouse giving details of location, dimensions, history, and technical information. The introductory section gives background information on the lighthouses and on the engineers who designed and built these lighthouses, some in very remote places where weather conditions and the difficulty of obtaining raw materials had to be overcome.

Birdwatching on Mull and Iona by David Sexton and Philip Snow (Brown & Whittaker Publishing). This guide welcomes you to the UK’s premier wildlife watching location. It’s designed to help you get the most out of a visit and to maximise your chances of seeing (or at least hearing) Mull and Iona’s best birds even if you are only there for a day or two. The maps will guide you to the top spots. Time to get out there!

Introducing the Glasgow Boys by Jean Walsh (Glasgow Museums). The Glasgow Boys were true artistic pioneers pursuing naturalist subject matter with strong, clean fresh colours. This is the book of the exhibition which looked at their body of work from 1880 until 1900 when it was at its most innovative and exciting.

Scotland the Best by Peter Irvine (HarperCollins). The true Scot's insider's guide to the very best Scotland has to offer. Whether you live in Scotland or are visiting, why settle for anything second-rate when you can be guided to so much that is superb? Peter Irvine's personal guide points you towards the best places to stay (whatever your budget), the best beaches, the best ice-cream, the best hill walks, the best bakers, the best spooky places, the best seafood, the best places for kids, the best ceildhs, and so the list goes on. Quirky, personalized and informed, Peter Irvine's guide gives you what other travel guides only claim to - a true Scot's insider's guide.

S J Peploe by Alice Strang (National Galleries of Scotland). This title is devoted to the artist Samuel John Peploe and throws new light on his life, the influence of France on his work, and on his posthumous reputation.

The Living Collection by David Rae (RBGE). A comprehensive account of the history, accession, care and maintenance of RBGE's living plant collection across its four Gardens. Here, David Rae offers a new way of seeing the extraordinary diversity of plants cultivated outside or under glass, but he is careful not to take the metaphor too far. The Director of Horticulture at RBGE also guides the reader behind the scenes to reveal the skilled work involved in caring for a world-famous collection and then explains exactly why it matters.

Scotland's Landscapes by James Crawford (RCAHMS). Over the past 10,000 years, every inch of Scotland - whether remote hilltop, fertile floodplain, or storm-lashed coastline - has been shaped, changed and moulded by its people. The third book in a series showcasing Scotland's National Collection of Aerial Photography, 'Scotland's Landscapes' tells the enduring story of this interaction between man and his environment.

Walks Orkney by Felicity Martin (Hallewell Publications). This guide brings together a selection of the best walks in Orkney. The walks include cliff-top and beach walks, as well as routes through farmland and hill climbs.

Truly Clyde Built by William Kane (Brown, Son and Fergusson Ltd). Scott's of Greenock grew from a small family business building and repairing Herring Busses in 1711 to leading the world in both merchant and naval shipbuilding, building surface and subsurface vessels to the highest standards.

Nora by Andrew Weale (Acair). 'S e glamaiseire uabhasach a th'ann an Nora a' Chriomòmola. Aon oidhche, an dèidh a ruagadh dhan leabhaid gun ghrèim suipeir, tha i a' dèanamh biast de cheapaire dhi fhèin leis a h-uile seòrsa rud. Ach dhan turas seo tha a sùil nas motha na a brù... Nora is always hungry. But what happens when she is sent to bed without any supper? This a hugely enjoyable Gaelic version of a hilarious story, translated by Tormod Campbell.

The Gruffalo’s Wean by Julia Donaldson (Black & White Publishing). The Gruffalo books are among the most popular children's titles ever published, and James Robertson's Scots translations of them capture their warmth and excitement while adding a special Scottish dimension that weans and grown-ups alike just love.

Crow Boy by Philip Caveney (Fledgling Press). Young Tom Afflick has never felt so alone. His parents have split up and his mother has relocated him, hundreds of miles away from his home in Manchester to the unfamiliar city of Edinburgh. At his new school, Tom is simply known as ‘The Manc’ – a blow-in, an outsider. On a routine school trip to the historic site of Mary King’s Close, Tom follows the ghostly figure of a young girl – only to find himself transported back in time to 1645, the year of the Edinburgh plague. Apprenticed against his will to a violent plague doctor, Tom needs to use all of his modern-day skills in order to survive, while he desperately searches for a way back to his own time. This children’s historical novel is a departure for Philip Caveney – acclaimed author of the Sebastian Darke thrillers for children and the Alec Devlin mysteries – and is sure to be a hit with them.

The Wee Seal by Janis Mckay (Floris Books). Set in the Scottish islands, this picture book tells the story of a tender relationship between a young boy and wild baby seal.

An Illustrated Treasury Of Scottish Folk And Fairy Tales by Theresa Breslin (Floris Books). Slithering stoorworms, mischievious brownies, fierce kelpies and magical selkies -- these are the creatures of Scottish folklore. Award-winning children's author Theresa Breslin has collected the best-loved tales from all over Scotland. Retelling each in its own individual style, she presents funny tales, moving tales and enchanting fairy tales. Soar with the goshawk, dive with selkies and battle with the stoorworm, as each story is brought to life with exquisite illustrations by Scottish fine artist Kate Leiper, which brim with otherworldly beauty. A wonderful gift, this is a truly stunning book to be treasured for a lifetime and will be enjoyed by parents and grandparents as well as children.