I’m happy to be participating in the Scotland Reading Challenge 2013, created by Faith Hope and Cherrytea. For my proposed reading list, I have pulled together some books already on my to-be-read stack (even if part of that stack is only on my Kindle!) and added some books that I’ve discovered via the Reading Challenge bookshelf on Goodreads.
- Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott — next on my list for this quintessential author of Scottish historical novels.
- Monarch of the Glen by Compton Mackenzie — I’m catching up here. This was a recent selection of the Reading Challenge group, and it looks good–I don’t want to miss it!
- The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane — Macfarlane devotes one section, and therefore one of his walking journeys, to a long walk in Scotland. I’m there in spirit if not on foot.
- The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson– Kidnapped and Catriona are also on the menu, this year or next. Two of Stevenson’s most influential characters, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde and Long John Silver, are on The Fictional 100, ranking 67 and 93, respectively. Last year, I read James Pope-Hennessey’s excellent biography of Stevenson, along with a re-read of Treasure Island, for this post on Silver: Return to Treasure Island by Andrew Motion.
- The First Blast of the Trumpet (Knox Trilogy #1) by Marie Macpherson — I just learned about this well-researched historical novel from the discussion boards, which featured a video about it. I am keenly interested in religious history and theology, so this story of the Scottish Reformation appeals greatly.
- The Highland Clans by Alistair Moffat — My history book club accumulated points may go toward this one!
I’m sure I will be lured by other Scottish-themed titles as the year progresses and I learn from others’ choices. Now is the point where I must wish myself luck! However much I am able to read, I appreciate the spur to goal-setting and the camaraderie of more book-obsessed friends!
The Fictional 100 
Wonderful list–I’m reading my first Sir Walter Scott this year, though I’m starting with Waverley. I loved Master of Ballantrae–I read it for an English class forever ago, and the prof asked us to write our own ending since it is unfinished. It was my first attempt at fiction…and I loved the experience! I’ve heard that the book of Monarch of the Glen doesn’t bear much resemblance to the series, but I’ll be interested in hearing what you think.
Enjoy your voyage to Scotland!
Thanks, Jane! I haven’t seen any of the Monarch of the Glen series, though my daughter and son-in-law have been enjoying it. So I will read first, and come to it the other way around. Even if the book and series are rather independent, that’s fine.
Glad you’re reading Waverley! As usual, you go about these things in an orderly way, starting at the beginning. I have read Waverley, Old Mortality, The Bride of Lammermoor, and Ivanhoe–I jump around. I’m just now looking at a very helpful chart of the Waverly novels on wikipedia. It’s quite a lot of Scottish history to absorb, especially if one didn’t grow up there, hearing the old lore!
loving your list, Lucy! and your enhusiastic participation in the Scotland READING Challenge 🙂
Thank you! It’s my pleasure indeed. 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Lucy! Your wonderful reading list on your beautiful new blog has now inspired me to create a planning of my own. I am such a spontaneous reader…allowing one book always to open up a path to another. But this season I might actually create a list and so do some planning as well. And may your reading journey through Scotland take you through a joyful journey within.