Beat those Brexit blues with a right good book
STUCK for a present for your political pal? I asked politicians and TV hounds to choose a book of the year – or just their favourite book – for Christmas.
So, here’s a dozen good reads from 12 of the best in politics and journalism. Proving books are an escape, no one even mentioned Brexit.
NEIL FINDLAY, Labour MSP
My book this year is Walls Come Tumbling Down: Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone, Red Wedge, by Daniel Rachel. A look back at the time I was growing up and when pop music was highly politicised, facing down fascism and uncaring Thatcherism.
DEIDRE BROCK, SNP MP
I keep returning to And the Land Lay Still, by James Robertson. It’s an a epic novel with so many stories skilfully interwoven. If anyone wants to learn about Scotland, dip into this.
JOHN MACKAY, STV news anchor
Born to Run, by Bruce Springsteen. With prose as rich and colourful as his lyrics. From the highs of rocking stadia to the lows of Springsteen’s deep depression, it’s all here.
LESLEY LAIRD MP, Shadow Scottish Secretary
Celtic’s Smiler: The Neilly Mochan Story, by Paul John Dykes. My dad knew Neilly. He played with him at Greenock Morton and also went on holiday to Ireland with him. Paul interviewed my dad before he passed away and he gets several mentions in the book. It is a lovely reminder of my dad in print.
IAN DUNCAN, Scotland Office Minister
Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History, by broadcast journalist Katy Tur. Katy followed Trump all the way on the presidential trail. Does what it says on the tin.
ANGELA RAYNER MP, Shadow Education Secretary
Rebel With a Cause, by Ann Clwyd. It exposes injustices all over the world. It’s an inspiring read about her life as a Labour MP and a fierce human-rights campaigner. AYESHA HAZARIKA, commentator and comedienne Slightly cheating but can I nominate four books – the Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante? Included is an incredible yarn about two childhood friends who we follow through love, hate, marriage, loss and mystery. BRIAN TAYLOR, Political Editor, BBC Scotland It is way past time for Sir Walter Scott to be seen again as a great writer, rather than a statue in Princes Street. The Heart of Midlothian is a work of genius, has a female, working-class character (a first in fiction) and is full of the Scots language. NICOLA STURGEON, First Minister The Heart’s Invisible Furies, by John Boyne. A sweeping novel and a journey through the life of Cyril Avery, from his birth to an unwed Irish mother and adoption, through his struggles to come to terms with his homosexuality, navigate his loneliness and find a sense of belonging. It will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. RORY STEWART MP, Minister for International Development My Book of the Year is The Recent Past, photographs of rural life by James Ravilous. They are perfectly balanced portraits – clear-eyed, funny and rooted in history. STEPHEN GETHINS, SNP MP Eastern Approaches, by Fitzroy Maclean. True tales by one of Scotland’s greatest adventurers, transporting readers from Soviet Central Asia to Yugoslavia during World War II. I was given it as a present from my granny when I was wee. ROBERT PESTON, ITV political editor (his new book “WTF” available to buy now). Joshua Green’s Devil’s Bargain. The more-gripping-than-fiction account of how Steve Bannon and Donald Trump defeated the entire America establishment to capture the White House.