I don’t know if you’ve ever read D. E. Stevenson, but she’s Scottish! She published books from the 1930-70s. The last one I read, Music in the Hills, takes place in Scotland. I don’t know what it is about her writing, but I just love it!
For a newer book that sounds old, I highly recommend The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. Her prose is really beautiful and I kept thinking as I read it that it seemed like something that had been written a long time ago.
I love anything by Alexander McCall Smith. A friend recommended his 44 Scotland Street book series before I went to Scotland for the first time and it has been a great read. He writes people really well and it was fun to “make some (book) friends” in Edinburgh before we went.
Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald is a favorite Scottish book of mine. I have heard it compared to Dostoevsky’s The Idiot. Definitely worth the read, in my opinion. I read the English "translation", which really helped with the strong Scots dialect.
Long distance is very hard. I have one very vivid memory of me falling asleep mid Skype conversation with my (then fiancé) while we were long distance. I was student teaching and planning a wedding, he was running a 100 miles a week. We would trade driving back and forth the 4.5 hours on weekends (my current self: how were we alive??)
I will say that it forced communication that has served us well over the years. Prayers for all of you as you look forward to this wedding !
It’s wild how God gives us the grace to endure things when we need it, but then later we can look back and wonder how on earth it all happened… I still remember us leaving each others’ apartments insanely late in the morning and going to work a few hours later. How?!
Tsh, I recommend anything by George MacDonald in relation to Scotland. His novels are slow but rich. Also enjoy hearing the wedding updates, as we are in a similar season. Getting ready for the first of our children to get married- we have a daughter who is getting married in May! So far its been fun and not stressful... but it does seem like as it gets closer there are a lot of things to do, especially as she is working hard to stay on budget, which requires some DIY! May all go well with yours, and its fun to hear about:)
Thanks for sharing my piece, Tsh!
I'm really excited for your family about your daughter's wedding. I really enjoy reading the little updates as it approaches!
Aw, thanks! Trying to savor these months since I know it won’t happen again…
I don’t know if you’ve ever read D. E. Stevenson, but she’s Scottish! She published books from the 1930-70s. The last one I read, Music in the Hills, takes place in Scotland. I don’t know what it is about her writing, but I just love it!
I haven’t yet, but I’ve heard good things about her—thanks for the rec!
I just saw that George Saunders released his new book called, Vigil.
Wedding final countdowns are so exciting!
They are!
For a newer book that sounds old, I highly recommend The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. Her prose is really beautiful and I kept thinking as I read it that it seemed like something that had been written a long time ago.
I’ve heard good things about that one; thanks!
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
I love anything by Alexander McCall Smith. A friend recommended his 44 Scotland Street book series before I went to Scotland for the first time and it has been a great read. He writes people really well and it was fun to “make some (book) friends” in Edinburgh before we went.
I love his no. 1 ladies’ detective agency series, but haven’t ever looked into anything else. Thanks for sharing!
Oh fun idea — thank you!
Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald is a favorite Scottish book of mine. I have heard it compared to Dostoevsky’s The Idiot. Definitely worth the read, in my opinion. I read the English "translation", which really helped with the strong Scots dialect.
Long distance is very hard. I have one very vivid memory of me falling asleep mid Skype conversation with my (then fiancé) while we were long distance. I was student teaching and planning a wedding, he was running a 100 miles a week. We would trade driving back and forth the 4.5 hours on weekends (my current self: how were we alive??)
I will say that it forced communication that has served us well over the years. Prayers for all of you as you look forward to this wedding !
It’s wild how God gives us the grace to endure things when we need it, but then later we can look back and wonder how on earth it all happened… I still remember us leaving each others’ apartments insanely late in the morning and going to work a few hours later. How?!
Tsh, I recommend anything by George MacDonald in relation to Scotland. His novels are slow but rich. Also enjoy hearing the wedding updates, as we are in a similar season. Getting ready for the first of our children to get married- we have a daughter who is getting married in May! So far its been fun and not stressful... but it does seem like as it gets closer there are a lot of things to do, especially as she is working hard to stay on budget, which requires some DIY! May all go well with yours, and its fun to hear about:)
Congratulations also to you and your daughter! It’s quite the whirlwind, eh?
And I’ll admit that George MacDonald had long been on my to-read list, so thank you for this nudge!