The Wee Scottish Book Club

This week, Scott and Natalie are thrilled to be joined by debut novelist Sarah Smith. Sarah chats about all things Hear No Evil, the importance of libraries as a means of research, explains what flash fiction is and also brings along her own Scottish Book of the Week. Have a listen and if you'd like to keep up to date with all of Sarah's work, you can find her on Twitter (@truesarahsmith) and Instagram (@sarahsmithwriter).

Inspired by last week's guest, Karen Sullivan from Orenda, Scott and Natalie have a deep dive into indie publishers. The pair talk about their favourite books published by an indie, which indies they are attracted to, and why indie publishers are important in the book world. As always, you can get in touch with the show through Instagram - @Scott.You.Reading and @ScottiesandBooks, Twitter - @ScottShields90 and @Scottiesnbooks or through email - [email protected]

This week, Natalie and Scott are joined by the founder of Orenda Books, Karen Sullivan. Orenda is an indie publisher, founded in 2014, based in London. They publish a wide variety of books, many of which are in translation, but have a heavy emphasis on crime/thrillers. Karen discusses some of her authors, including some of her Scottish writers, gives us a great inside look at the publishing process and gives us some excellent book recommendations - so get your notepads ready. You can keep up to date with all all of the goings on at Orenda by; Visiting their website - www.orendabooks.co.uk Instagram - @orendabooks Twitter - @Orendabooks TikTok - @OrendaBooks

Join your hosts, Scott and Natalie, as they explore the world of empathy in literature. Empathy Day, brought to the podcast's attention by Hannah Gold, is a day that celebrates empathy on the 8th of June every year. This year's event is all available online at www.emathylab.uk/empathy-day-live This week, Scott shares a book that helped him empathise with others, Natalie shares a powerful poem, we learn a new Scots word and we are introduced to so many brilliant reads. As always, you can get in touch with the hosts on Instagram - @scott.you.reading and @Scottiesandbooks or on twitter @ScottShields90 and @scottiesnbooks. You can also get in touch with the show on our email [email protected]

This week, Scott and Natalie bring you the Top of the Pops of the book world. The pair chat about all things about music and books, music in books and music inspired by books. Also, which authors would make it into your ultimate dream band? Natalie and Scott build their ultimate writer/musician supergroup! Let us know who would make it into your band and what music filled books you love on Twitter (@scottiesnbooks and @scottshields90), Instagram (@scottiesandbooks and @scott.you.reading) or through email at [email protected]

This week, Scott and Natalie are joined by two VILs (Very Important Librarians). Heather and Laura are both in the same profession but have very different roles. The quartet talk all about the importance of libraries, the sense of community that these buildings bring and what they would like in their dream library. You can keep up to date with our guests reading ways through Instagram; Heather - @heatherguardianofbooks Laura - @readingisadoingword

Scott and Natalie are delighted to be joined by Scottish author, David F. Ross. He drops by to chat about his latest novel Dashboard Elvis is Dead, his collaborative approach to writing, his awesome book events and his love of a certain Belgian footballer. If you'd like to be in the know with all things David F Ross and read those daily Up. Morning. posts, you can find him on Instagram @davidfross10 and Twitter @dfr10 As always, you can get in touch with the show by email on [email protected]

One this week's show, Natalie and Scott discuss their love of their local libraries. They discuss a broad variety of library related topics, including; what services are available at their local library, controversial library closures, as well as some of their top library finds. Finally, as two library novices, the pair urge us to get out and visit our local library. As always you can get in touch through Instagram @Scottiesandbooks @Scott.You.Reading and Twitter @Scottiesnbooks and @ScottShields90 or through our email [email protected]

This week, Scott and Natalie are joined by debut novelist Kate Foster. Kate drops in to talk all things The Maiden, journalism, her love of listening to her children's musical 'talents' and why pancake day and signing bookplates is not a good mix. If you'd like to find out more about Kate Foster and keep up to date with her work, you can find her on instagram @katefosterauthor and Twitter @katefostermedia. You can also pick up your own copy of The Maiden NOW! As always, you can get in touch with the show through email at [email protected]

This week, Natalie and Scott are joined by a very special guest. Hannah Gold is a multi-award winning children's author who has released two amazing books, The Last Bear and The Lost Whale. With book number three, Finding Bear, starting to build its roar and join us in September, Hannah drops in to talk all things Bear and White Beak. As Earth Day is just around the corner, Hannah also discusses environmentalism and the role of readers in helping save the planet. Not only does Hannah take on Scott and Natalie's questions, she also fields some, much better, questions from the Primary Six learners from Scott's school. Remember, after listening to the podcast, you can check out the work that Hannah does with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, you can visit https://uk.whales.org/ and keep up to date on Social media through Instagram - @hannahgold_author Twitter - @HGold_author and on TikTok - @hannahauthorgold As always, you can keep up with Natalie and Scott on their usual socials (@scottiesandbooks and @Scott.You.Reading on Instagram and @Scottiesnbooks and @ScottShields90 on Twitter) and through [email protected] for any email enquiries.

Join your hosts, Scott and Natalie, as they explore the magical world of Middle Grade Reading! The pair discuss how they came about middle grade reads as adults, why they enjoy it and spend some time recommending some amazing books with some even better messages. As always, you can get in touch with the podcast through Instagram - @Scott.You.Reading and @Scottiesandbooks, Twitter - @ScottShields90 and @Scottiesnbooks, or through our email address [email protected]

This week your hosts, Scott and Natalie, dip back into the world of poetry. They discuss what it is they like about poetry, share their book recommendations, discuss their favourite poems (and songs in Scott's case) and do some readings of their favourites. We also revisit series one with a clip of Scotland's own Stephen Watt sharing one of his poems. As always, you can get in touch with the show through Instagram (@scott.you.reading and @Scottiesandbooks), Twitter (@Scottshields90 and @Scottiesnbooks) and through our email, [email protected]. We love hearing from you all!

Join your hosts, Natalie and Scott, as they explore the world of Sci-fi, Dystopia, STEAM and Soma. Why is Brave New World so weird? What Scottish Sci-Fi could Scott find? How did Natalie manage to fit a Scottish Word of the Week into such a niche category? All that and more will be answered on The Wee Scottish Book Club Sci-Fi Special! As always you can get in touch in the following ways; Twitter - @scottiesnbooks @ScottShields90 Instagram - @ScottiesandBooks @Scott.You.Reading Email - [email protected]

Join your hosts, Natalie and Scott, as they are joined by avid reader and middle grade fan, Michelle.  Michelle shares with us her love of Scottish literature, tries to explain Lanark to Scott and brings along a big pile of books to discuss. She also talks about middle grade fiction and how important that is not just personally, but also professionally.  As always, if you'd like to keep up with us, you can find Michelle on Instagram at @planteachread, Natalie @Scottiesandbooks and Scott @Scott.You.Reading. You can also keep up to date with Michelle's book Vlog on Youtube @ and you can always contact the show on [email protected]

Join your hosts, Natalie and Scott, on the picket line as they follow the rest of the country and go on strike. Well, they discuss industrial action and standing up for what you believe in anyway...they would never leave the podcast! Ever wonder what winds Natalie up when she is looking for some peace and quiet? How much trouble is Scott in when his wife listens to the show? Find out by joining the revolution and listen to this episode of The Wee Scottish Book Club! As always, you can get in touch with the show through Instagram - @scottiesandbooks and @Scott.you.reading Twitter - @Scottiesnbooks and @ScottShields90 and Email - [email protected]

This week, you can join your hosts, Scott and Natalie, as they celebrate women in books and the wider world. Who is an an influence on the pair? Why is the answer to that question Nicola Sturgeon on this week of all weeks? Find out as you listen to this special International Women's Day episode of The Wee Scottish Book Club. As always you can get in touch with the pair on their socials - Instagram @Scott.you.reading and @Scottiesandbooks and Twitter @ScottShields90 and @Scottiesnbooks and if you'd like to get in touch with the show, email us at [email protected]

Join your hosts, Natalie and Scott, as they look back on their reading year and decide which reads are worthy of the honour of being called a BBA (Braw Book Awards) winner. From debuts to weans, LGBTQ+ to Scots, this awards episode has it all. Who wins? Have a listen to find out.  As always, you can get in touch with Natalie (@Scottiesandbooks and @Scottiesnbooks), Scott (@Scott.you.reading and @ScottShields90), as well as contacting the show on [email protected]. Let us know what your favourite reads of 2022 were and see if we can make them award winners in 2023!

Merry Christmas from The Wee Scottish Book Club! May your day be merry and full of great reads! See you all in 2023 for even more bookish chat!

As the festive season really kicks into gear, Natalie and Scott, shine a light on The Scottish Book Trust's Christmas Appeal. Imagine living in a house with no books. This is the reality for lots of children in Scotland this year. Through their campaign this Christmas, The Scottish Book Trust is making sure that everyone has equal access to books this Christmas and beyond. Alongside this, Natalie and Scott have a good old chat about their current reads, a Scottish pick and a book that Scott likes to read with his children. Also, the pair have a look at their festive reading plans and the books they are looking forward to in 2023! If you would like to contribute to The Scottish Book Trust's appeal all of the information and links can be found on their website, or via the following link - Donate to Scottish Book Trust - Scottish Book Trust Email - [email protected] Instagram - @scottiesandbooks @scott.you.reading Twitter - @scottiesnbooks @scottShields90

This week there is something in the water. Natalie and Scott are on a mission to rant and rant they will! When the world bans books, our hosts ban the world. Why does Scott have it in for ladies of the older generation? How long until Elon Musk takes on Natalie on Twitter? They also tackle the topic of banned books, why they are banned, who bans them and what does a book ban ultimately achieve? Ultimately, if you like your Wee Scottish Book Clubs on a rager - then this episode is for you! Remember, you can always get in touch with the show via email, [email protected], Instagram @scottiesandbooks and @Scott.You.Reading or on twitter @Scottiesnbooks and @ScottShields90 

This week, Natalie and Scott are joined by Uddingston's finest, Elissa Soave. Elissa pops by to talk all things Ginger and Me, the Primadonna Prize, publishing, and, of course, Tunnocks cafe! If you'd like to find out more about Elissa Soave and keep up with her work, you can stalk her on Twitter at @elissa_soave and if you'd like to get in touch with the show please email [email protected]

Apparently there is a World Cup going on just now in a nation that shouldn't have such a global showcase. So, this week, Natalie and Scott dish the dirt on all things sport, they discuss their favouirte sporting books, sports and athletes - as well as slating Qatar for all it continues to do. Remember You can always get in touch with the podcast at [email protected] or on our socials @scottiesandbooks and @scott.you.reading on instagram and @Scottiesnbooks and @scottshields90 on Twitter.

This week on The Wee Scottish Book Club, Natalie and Scott managed to squeeze in some holiday chat before Natalie jets off for some autumnal sunshine. Have you ever wondered what the duo put in their suitcase for a mini-break? Are you done with the current dreich weather? Then this episode may be for you. Remember, you can always get in touch with the show through the email address, [email protected], through Instagram @scottiesandbooks and @scott.you.reading or Twitter @Scottiesnbooks and @ScottShields90

This week on The Wee Scottish Book Club, Scott and Natalie are joined by Scots teaching royalty, Scots Teacher o' The Year, Amanda Dunn. Amanda is a primary school teacher from Kilmarnock and she shares her love of Scots, teaching, reading and fitba - as well as breaking some of The Wee Scottish Book Club rules along the way.  As always, you can get in touch with the show at; Email - [email protected] Instagram - @dunn.with.books @Scottiesandbooks @Scott.You.Reading Twitter - @Scottiesnbooks @ScottShields90

Remember, remember, that time in November, where you like your books with a BANG! This week, Scott and Natalie talk all things explosive with a special bonfire night special. Have a listen to find out what Siri thinks of Natalie's Scottish Book of The Week, where Scott does his shopping, do the pair like a bang in their books and most importantly how many times Natalie and Scott laugh at the word "bang".  Also, why do we continue to do specials when we hate all 'holidays'? Remember, you can always get in touch with the show at [email protected] or through instagram @Scottiesandbooks or @Scott.You.Reading and Twitter @scottiesnbooks and @ScottShields90

Spooky season is here again and this week on The Wee Scottish Book Club, Natalie and Scott talk all things Thriller. What keeps them up at night? Why What makes a thriller thrilling? Want to hear Scott and Natalie fall out over a book? What has Patrick Swayze got to do with all this? All that and your usual favourites of Scottish Book of the Week, Name that Book, Done in 60 seconds and the usual news and nonsense that makes us the number one podcast that is called The Wee Scottish Book Club (as far as we are aware). As always, you can contact the show through [email protected] or through our socials.

This week, Natalie and Scott have possibly their most open and honest discussions to date. They talk all things mental health, wellbeing and looking after our heads. Scott also has all the dishy details from The Scots Language Awards, who was there, what was said and what his main takeaways were from the night. Why do Tuesdays suck so much? Has Natalie learned anything about Peter Pan? What does books, socialising and sport have to do with our mental health? If you want all these questions answered and more, have a listen. All that and your usual favourites of Scottish Book of the Week, Name that Book, Done in 60 seconds and the usual news and nonsense that makes us the number one podcast that is called The Wee Scottish Book Club (as far as we are aware). As always, you can contact the show through [email protected] or through our socials. 

Join your hosts, Natalie and Scott, as they speak to Scottish novelist, playwright and actor, Kenny Boyle.  Kenny Boyle is a writer and actor born on the Isle of Lewis. He trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and holds a masters in classical and contemporary text, as well as an honours degree in English, literature and theatre studies from the University of Strathclyde. He is the star, alongside Natalie Clark, of the multi-award winning short film Perfect Strangers (2015) and of the feature-film follow-up Lost at Christmas (2020). His plays include Playthrough and An Isolated Incident, and in 2021 he received a New Playwrights Award from the Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland. The Tick and the Tock of the Crocodile Clock is his debut novel. Having grown up equally in both the bustling city of Glasgow and the tiny crofting village of Cromore, he likes to write about mental health, isolation, identity and – most of all – hope. He spends way too much time reading comics and playing video games.

It is that time of year when The Wee Scottish Book Club hosts, Natalie and Scott, get their cosy blankets and hot chocolates out for the autumn season. Listen in to this autumn special where we discuss cosy book picks, when autumn actually ends, what we love about autumn and, most importantly, Natalie's new specs! Along with all the usual favourites - Scottish Book of the Week, Done in 60 seconds, Name that Book and a whole lot of laughs - let The Wee Scottish Book Club cuddle up fireside with you this autumn season.  Email - [email protected] Twitter - @scottiesnbooks @scottshields90 Instagram - @scottiesandbooks @scott.you.reading

What a week it has been (at the time of recording) and Scott and Natalie have it all covered. From Prime Ministers to royalty, there's nothing that escapes our hosts' attention. Along with all the regular news, nonsense and Scottish Book love, The Wee Scottish Book Club is bringing you a special episode where we discuss the importance of LGBTQ+ lit and how it is becoming more mainstream!

Natalie and Scott are back with another series of The Wee Scottish Book Club. It has been a long 'three month' break, so join the hosts as they let you know what they have been upty in the mean time. As always, there is plenty of book chat with our Scottish Book of the Week and Name That Book segments, lots of stories and loads ay laughs! Find out why Scott is taking on the media, why Natalie is now afraid of bins and how many times the pair can mention Douglas Stuart in one episode!  We love hearing from you, so please get in touch with the show through email - [email protected], Natalie (@Scottiesandbooks or @scottiesnbooks) and Scott (@Scott.You.Reading).

This week, Scott and Natalie talk to Dumbarton's finest - Stephen Watt. Stephen is a gloriously talented poet and has won countless awards, including; Poetry Rivals Slam Champion, StAnza Digital International Poetry Prize, tartan Treasures Award and many more! He has performed widely across the UK, including at Doune the Rabbit Hole, Eden, Wickerman and the Edinburgh Festival. In 2016 he was the first ‘crime poet’ at the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival, and his hometown team Dumbarton Football Club appointed him their Poet-in-Residence.  So, jump into the world of Punk Poetry. Learn what a football poet in residence is. Have a guess at what event made Stephen go viral. As always, you can get in touch with us at [email protected]

The postman has been back to visit Scott and Natalie this week as they dig into The Wee Scottish Book Club Mailbag (It's actually just an email account and our Instagram mailboxes). They answer all kinds of things, including; what is their favourite thing about Scotland? What are the top three books on their TBR? and What would they take on to a desert island? There is also some time for the important regulars - Scottish Book of the Week, Name that Book and Done in 60 Seconds. If you'd like to get involved for the next time we answer listener questions, email us at [email protected]

Happy new year to all of The Wee Scottish Book Club listeners!  New year, same auld us! Join your hosts, Scott and Natalie, as they take a look at the year ahead. In this episode we discuss all of the amazing books that are coming in 2022 (that we know of, so far) and give you a bit of information about them all.  As well as this, Scott brings you his Scottish Book of the Week and Natalie tells us which book got off to a good start...but maybe didn't end the way she had hoped. There is also the return of Done in 60 Seconds and if you can't get this one, are you even from Scotland? Please get in touch with us via our email [email protected] and check out the socials @Scottiesandbooks and @Scott.You.Reading 

As 2021 becomes 2022, join your hosts, Natalie and Scott as they host the inaugural (and very glamorous) Braw Book Awards (The BBAs). This is the prize that all the authors have been clamouring for all year and now, it is time to find out who the winners were!  Categories include (but are not limited to); Scottish Book Club Book of the Year, Illustrations of the Year, Debut of the Year, and Scots Language Book of the Year. You can see a list of all the books mentioned on the show on Instagram - @Scott.You.Reading or @Scottiesandbooks

It's Christmas time, Books and Baileys time,  Podcast blaring Christmas Rhymes, With Scott and Natalie,  Maybe Santa too,  Come find out,  What Scottish books we bring you...

Ever fancy a holiday with your pals and pod hosts, Scott and Natalie? Well, this week is your lucky week as they go global and take us on a worldwide adventure, visiting Sweden, Norway, Africa and Germany. Which books will they be discussing alongside the usual favourites and a chat about the recent Saltire Awards too? So, pack your bags, get your boarding passes ready and sook on your hard candies as we fly around the world on The Wee Scottish Book Club Airways. Check out @Scott.You.Reading and @Scottiesandbooks for the reading list from this week's episode later in the week. 

Join your podcast hosts, Scott and Natalie, as they chat with Scottish author Colin Burnett. Colin chats all about his debut novel, A Working Class State of Mind, the Scots language and growing up with dyslexia and autism, as well as a whole host of other interesting topics - including his top Scottish book recommendation. Visit @Scott.You.Reading later in the week for a list of books discussed on today's episode.

This week, Natalie and Scott delve into The Wee Scottish Bookclub mailbag and answers sent in by you, the listeners.  Want to know where the best place to start your Scots reading journey is? Want to know what makes or breaks the ending of a book? Desperate to find out what makes Scott put a book down? Itching to find out which book character Natalie would love to be? Want to find out what antiperspirant Scott uses? Okay, well maybe not that last one. But the rest (and more) are all inside this bumper edition of the podcast!  We hope you enjoy listening to all the exciting answers to all of your wonderful questions alongside the usual Wee Scottish Bookclub favourites.  

This week your hosts, Detective Scott and Inspector Natalie, deep dive into the grim world of Scottish crime. With this being a relatively new genre for Natalie as well as it being Scott's go to, there is plenty of book chat and discussion around Scottish crime lit.  With all the regular features, such as Scottish Book of the Week, Name That Book and Done in 60 seconds, we are sure to leave you wanting to jump into the dark side of the law with your reading! As an extra special one off, Scott and Natalie make some predictions for what will leave them in the clink...and they are not what you'd expect. 

This week, Natalie and Scott talk all things politics in Scottish literature. Don't worry though, this isn't the kind of politics that has the MPs of Westminster falling asleep in the chamber, this is so much more.  Scott and Natalie bring you all the regular features - Scottish Book of the Week, Name that Book, Done in 60 Seconds - and so much more as they discuss Politics Smolitics! 

Join your hosts, Scott and Natalie, as we get all nostalgic on The Wee Scottish Book Club and talk about the books that influenced us when we were younger. Joining us to help with the discussion is the queen of the read-along and English teacher, Bethany! Listen in as she gives us her Scottish Books of the Week, talks high school set texts, what ignited her love of reading and see how she gets on in Done in 60 Seconds (Childhood Edition). As always, check out @Scott.You.Reading and @Scottiesandbooks later in the week to get the reading list from this week's episode.

Scott and Natalie are joined by two members of The Scottish Book Club, Diane and Carrie, to talk about News of the Dead and their experiences of being part of Damian Barr's Big Scottish Book Club on the BBC. We discuss the guests on the show, including Louise Welsh, Sarah Perry, James Robertson, Mara Menzies and Damian Barr himself.  Diane and Carrie also give us their Scottish book recommendations and take part in a very controversial Done in 60 Seconds.  Check @Scott.You.Reading for a comprehensive list of books discussed on today's show.  Remember to get in touch with Scott and Natalie through the email [email protected] 

Live, from Natalie's house, Scott and Natalie are joined by two members of The Scottish Book Club to discuss News of the Dead by James Robertson and what we are expecting from being part of Damian Barr's Big Scottish Book Club on BBC Scotland. Lex and Ella give us their Scottish book picks, discuss News of the Dead and take part in our special guest version of Done in 60 Seconds.  Remember to check out The Big Scottish Book Club every Sunday on BBC Scotland at 10pm, or on I-player. 

What happens when you have two folk who don't enjoy Halloween hosting a Halloween special? Listen to this week's The Wee Scottish Book Club to find out... This week, Scott and Natalie delve into all things spooky for a Halloween special. We explore ghost stories, talk guising and of course, give our spooky book recommendations. We are even visited by Trevor...a truly evil friend of ours. Also, in a Wee Scottish Book Club first, Natalie makes Scott laugh. Have a listen to find out why. Check out @Scott.You.Reading later in the week to see a list of books mentioned in today's episode.  Remember get in touch with us through our email [email protected] with feedback, comments, questions or if you'd like to feature on the show.

Join your podcast hosts, Scott and Natalie, as they chat with Scottish author Emma Grae. This is our first visit from an author and what a brilliant way to start. Emma chats all about her debut novel, Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy, writing in Scots and haunted Alexas, as well as a whole host of other interesting topics - including her top Scottish book recommendations.  Visit @Scott.You.Reading later in the week for a list of books discussed on today's episode. 

Join your hosts, Scott and Natalie as they discuss all things Guilty Pleasures. What makes a pleasure guilty? What guilty pleasures do we have away from books? What are our bookish guilty pleasures? Listen to today's episode to find out more! Plus there is all the usual news and nonsense from your favourite book mad Scots! Contact us - Email - [email protected] Insta - @scottiesandbooks @Scott.you.reading Twitter - @scottiesnbooks @scottshields90

This week on The Wee Scottish Book Club, Scott and Natalie talk about characters. Those we love to hate and the ones that we hate to love. 

Welcome to The Wee Scottish Book Club with Natalie and Scott.  In this episode we will be chatting all things Scottish Lit. Why we love it, where our love started, and, of course, The Scottish Book Club.