June 2016

1.

Paul Heinowski has published a collection of poetry, written over a period of 30 years. The collection contains 66 poems and is illustrated by Elsie Heinowski, the author’s mother. It includes four haiku sequences that were awarded first prizes in the annual Time Haiku Sakuhin competition. There are also several poems which were commended by Quantum Leap magazine. “Highland Haibun” was a prize winner in the Neil Gunn competition.

Like a Blazing Fire

2.

A social history of prostitution in Scotland that focuses on the realities of women’s lives

Sex for Sale in Scotland examines the various formal and informal methods that were used to police female prostitution in Edinburgh and Glasgow between 1900 and 1939 and explores how these policies influenced women’s lives. The book uses a rich combination of police, probation, magistrates’, poor law and voluntary organisations’ records to demonstrate how these organisations combined to establish a ‘penal-welfare’ approach towards regulating prostitution in Scotland. By mapping the geography of prostitution, the book argues that prostitution was not forced into the outskirts of society, either physically or socially.

Sex for Sale in Scotland

3.

Sunday Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan returns with an hilarious, heartwarming, happy-ever-after as Nina follows her heart – and her dreams – to a new life in the countryside.

Given a back-room computer job when the beloved Birmingham library she works in turns into a downsized retail complex, Nina misses her old role terribly – dealing with people, greeting her regulars, making sure everyone gets the right books for their needs.

Then a new business nobody else wants catches her eye: owning a tiny little bookshop bus up in the Scottish highlands. No computers. Shortages. Out all hours in the freezing cold; driving with a tiny stock of books… not to mention how the little community is going to take to her, particularly when she stalls the bus on a level crossing…

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After

4.

When writer Paul Stewart heads to the idyllic Italian town of Montalcino to finish his already late book, it seems like the perfect escape from stressful city life. Upon landing, however, things quickly take a turn for the worse when he discovers his hired car is nowhere to be found. With no record of any reservation and no other cars available it looks like Paul is stuck at the airport. That is, until an enterprising stranger offers him an unexpected alternative. While there may be no cars available there is something else on offer: a bulldozer.

With little choice in the matter, Paul accepts and so begins a series of laugh-out-loud adventures through the Italian countryside, following in the wake of Paul and his Italian Bulldozer. A story of unexpected circumstance and lesson in making the best of what you have, My Italian Bulldozer is a warm holiday read guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

My Italian Bulldozer

5.