ScotBookFlood

St Kilda: Last and Outmost Isle

St Kilda: Last and Outmost Isle (Historic Environment Scotland) is a beautiful book which I’d like to gift to my parents, as they’ll both be interested. Lucky enough to be able to visit St Kilda for a day in July this year, and standing looking at the crescent of Village Bay – the one ‘street’, the houses, and the hills louring down – I felt as though I was on a film set, having only previously seen the islands on screen. This book is not only beautiful to leaf through but it sets this poignant group of islands in their historical, social, and archaeological perspective. Marion Sinclair, Chief Executive, Publishing Scotland
Ashland and Vine

I’d gift Ashland and Vine (Jonathan Cape) by John Burnside to one of my sisters (not sure which one yet… sorry, ladies!). What can you say about John Burnside – hugely talented and quite awesome – this is a thought-provoking, atmospheric read. Marion Sinclair, Chief Executive, Publishing Scotland
Stay with Me

Stay with Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò (Canongate Books). I received a copy of this as a gift and initially put it aside thinking it wasn't my cup of tea (or coffee in my case!). But after reading it I can understand why one reviewer described it as ‘a bright, big-hearted demonstration of female spirit’. It’s a beautiful book so I am going to hold on to my own copy and buy one as a gift for my eldest grand-daughter to read on a break from her studies. Barbara Bell, Finance Manager, Publishing Scotland
Left to their own Devices

Left to their own devices by Katherine Hill (Muddy Pearl). I am buying this book as a gift for my friend, who is increasingly worried and concerned about the amount of time her teenage grandchildren spend on the internet, especially social media, whilst in her care. The book is well-researched and easy to read. As well as being informative, it is warm and funny and but still manages to address the serious issues that concern us all. I think she will enjoy reading this book and gain a few helpful tips along the way. Barbara Bell, Finance Manager, Publishing Scotland
Maggie's Mittens

Maggie’s Mittens by Coo Clayton and Alison Soye (Black & White Publishing). I’ll be buying this for my Scottish niece who is 4 and lives in Perth Australia for a taste of her Scottish heritage and an insight into an alternative childhood if she was living in Scotland and actually needed some mittens, like her cousin does! Lucy Feather, Member Services Manager, Publishing Scotland
Badger/ Fox/ Barn Owl / Hare

I’ll also buy Badger/ Fox/ Barn Owl / Hare by Jim Crumley (Saraband) for my Mum who, living all her life in rural Devon, has a real interest and fondness for nature. They are short and easy to read as well as beautifully written so hopefully something she will enjoy dipping in and out of. They also look lovely! Lucy Feather, Member Services Manager, Publishing Scotland
A New Era: Scottish Modern Art 1900-1950

A New Era: Scottish Modern Art 1900-1950 – Alice Strang (National Galleries Scotland). This will be a present for my husband Greg but one which I will almost definitely dip into first! I have studied history of art and he is learning about it, so it will be of great interest to both of us, and one which we can look at all year round. The cover is stunning too. Eleanor Logan, Trade Liaison Manager, Publishing Scotland
The Mighty Women of Science

The Mighty Women of Science – Clare Forrest & Fiona Gordon (BHP Comics) will go to my granddaughter Eila. Aged 6, her favourite subject (after Sylvanian Families…) is science and I am sure this book will inspire her to pursue a career as a scientist! So an inspirational gift for a possible future path. Eleanor Logan, Trade Liaison Manager, Publishing Scotland
Goblin

I'll be gifting Goblin by Ever Dundas (Saraband). This clever, intriguing, captivating book features an outcast’s adventures and creation of a compassionate and meaningful life out of very little. It is set in modern-day Edinburgh and war-time London and Cornwall. I enjoyed it very much and I hope that my student nephew does too. Joan Lyle, Training and Information Manager, Publishing Scotland
The Book of the Bird

I'll also be gifting The Book of the Bird: Birds in Art by Angus Hyland and Kendra Wilson (Laurence King Publishing) to my Mum. She loves birds and spends a lot of time watching them from her window. On days there aren’t many around she can enjoy looking at them in this really beautiful book. Joan Lyle, Training and Information Manager, Publishing Scotland
Into the Mountain

My partner is the biggest book lover in my life. I’ll be gifting him Charlotte Peacock’s Into the Mountain: A Life of Nan Shepherd, the new biography of author Nan Shepherd (Galileo Publishing). He introduced me to Shepherd a couple of years ago and is a big fan of her writing, so I know he’ll enjoy this first full-length study. Gill Tasker, Book Marketing Manager, Publishing Scotland
Nasty Women

I’ll also be buying Nasty Women (404 Ink) for my brave (or perhaps more accurately zany!) auntie who performed in a stand-up comedy show in Edinburgh this summer, as part of the Fringe, called Nasty Women. It’s too good a link to bypass and I know she’ll enjoy the diverse contributions from various voices in Scotland and beyond. Gill Tasker, Book Marketing Manager, Publishing Scotland

Publishing Scotland will be taking part in Book Week Scotland this year by encouraging thoughtful book giving - ScotBookFlood! Inspired by the unique tradition of book gifting in Iceland, Jólabókaflóð (which translates roughly as 'Christmas book flood'), ScotBookFlood will celebrate Scottish-Nordic/Icelandic literary links and encourage thoughtful book gifting for loved ones in the run-up to Christmas.

Highlights will include:

Interview with best-selling author Matt Haig about his heart-warming new book for children Father Christmas And Me.
Exploring Edinburgh and Reykjavik as UNESCO status Cities of Literature.
Exclusive Scottish gin cocktail recipe, inspired by Iceland's volcanic outdoor pools.
Acclaimed author Kirsty Logan recalls sheep, wild swimming, and solitude in an article about her month-long writing residency in rural Iceland.
Publishers based in Scotland reveal what Scottish books they will gift this Christmas.
Exciting giveaways of books for adults and children.
Pinterest boards highlighting Scottish-Nordic literary links.

From Monday 27 November to Sunday 3 December we invite the public to join our conversation by using the hashtags #ScotBookFlood, #BookWeekScotland, and tweeting @scottishbooks.

What we are gifting

Our team have also selected some books that they will be gifting. The covers are shown above and the links below will take you to their publishers' websites.

St Kilda: Last and Outmost Isle by Angela Gannon and George Geddes (Historic Environment Scotland)
Ashland and Vine by John Burnside (Jonathan Cape)
Stay with Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò (Canongate Books)
Left to their own devices by Katherine Hill (Muddy Pearl)
Maggie's Mittens (Black & White Publishing)
Badger, Fox, Barn Owl and Hare by Jim Crumley (Saraband Books)
A New Era: Scottish Modern Art 1900-1950 - Alice Strang (National Galleries Scotland)
The Mighty Women of Science - Clare Forrest & Fiona Gordon (BHP Comics)
Goblin by Ever Dundas (Saraband)
The Book of the Bird: Birds in Art by Angus Hyland and Kendra Wilson (Laurence King Publishing)
Into the Mountain: A Life of Nan Shepherd by Charlotte Peacock (Galileo Publishing)
Nasty Women (404 Ink)

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Highlighted events

ScotBookFlood

St Kilda: Last and Outmost Isle

Ashland and Vine

Stay with Me

Left to their own Devices

Maggie's Mittens

Badger/ Fox/ Barn Owl / Hare

A New Era: Scottish Modern Art 1900-1950

The Mighty Women of Science

Goblin

The Book of the Bird

Into the Mountain

Nasty Women

Highlights will include:

What we are gifting