Shona MacLean
@shonamaclean.bsky.social
Scottish writer. Not sure about this at all.
Pinned
This is my new book (26/026). It's the 1st time in years that I'll be published as 'Shona' rather than 'S.G.'and I am very happy to be reclaiming my name. It's about a reading society formed in a northern Scottish town in the 1830s. Drama ensues. (My mother-in-law crocheted the shawl 🧶)
I'm looking for recommendations of Scandinavian literature, translated into English, (not Scandi-noir, I've got plenty of that), please ...
November 17, 2025 at 8:20 AM
I'm looking for recommendations of Scandinavian literature, translated into English, (not Scandi-noir, I've got plenty of that), please ...
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Without asylum:
Marks and Spencer wouldn't exist
Queen would have been without a front man
The other queen wouldn't have had a husband
Judith Kerr would never have written The Tiger Who Came to Tea
And thousands of less famous people wouldn't have been teachers, politicians, neighbours, etc
Marks and Spencer wouldn't exist
Queen would have been without a front man
The other queen wouldn't have had a husband
Judith Kerr would never have written The Tiger Who Came to Tea
And thousands of less famous people wouldn't have been teachers, politicians, neighbours, etc
November 15, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Without asylum:
Marks and Spencer wouldn't exist
Queen would have been without a front man
The other queen wouldn't have had a husband
Judith Kerr would never have written The Tiger Who Came to Tea
And thousands of less famous people wouldn't have been teachers, politicians, neighbours, etc
Marks and Spencer wouldn't exist
Queen would have been without a front man
The other queen wouldn't have had a husband
Judith Kerr would never have written The Tiger Who Came to Tea
And thousands of less famous people wouldn't have been teachers, politicians, neighbours, etc
The joy of finding that 'slightly roomier' winter skirt you thought was lost. Oh yes, I will have a scone, thank you.
November 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The joy of finding that 'slightly roomier' winter skirt you thought was lost. Oh yes, I will have a scone, thank you.
About to do the dinner dishes with my daughter and as she reaches for her earphones & says, 'Why don't you put on a podcast, Mum? You like podcasts.' (I am 59, not 97.) So I tell her about the @backlisted.bsky.social I am 1/2 way through.
November 14, 2025 at 7:42 PM
About to do the dinner dishes with my daughter and as she reaches for her earphones & says, 'Why don't you put on a podcast, Mum? You like podcasts.' (I am 59, not 97.) So I tell her about the @backlisted.bsky.social I am 1/2 way through.
libro.fm/audiobooks/9... Absolutely cannot recommend this book, Hawthorn, A Scottish Ghost Story, by Elaine Thomson, highly enough. A perfectly weighted classic in the style of Robert Louis Stevenson, and a delight to listen to, narrated here by Lorne MacNaughton. @elainethomson123.bsky.social
Hawthorn Audiobook on Libro.fm
For fans of Michelle Paver and Sarah Waters, the first in a haunting quartet of ghost stories set in the wilds of Scotland. 'I was so impressed by Hawthorn' MICHELLE PAVER, author of Dark Matter'Delig...
libro.fm
November 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM
libro.fm/audiobooks/9... Absolutely cannot recommend this book, Hawthorn, A Scottish Ghost Story, by Elaine Thomson, highly enough. A perfectly weighted classic in the style of Robert Louis Stevenson, and a delight to listen to, narrated here by Lorne MacNaughton. @elainethomson123.bsky.social
Frost on the ground and all the car windows. Time to bring out the big guns. Knitted years ago by my mother-in-law to a pattern for Sara Lund's jumper from The Killing. And no, I'm not ironing it first.
November 14, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Frost on the ground and all the car windows. Time to bring out the big guns. Knitted years ago by my mother-in-law to a pattern for Sara Lund's jumper from The Killing. And no, I'm not ironing it first.
My daughter has just claimed that trying to understand my rules for what I have with my toast in the morning, depending on whether it's brown or white bread and whether I'm having it with tea or coffee is like trying to negotiate one of Sherlock's mind palaces, level 2.
November 14, 2025 at 6:28 AM
My daughter has just claimed that trying to understand my rules for what I have with my toast in the morning, depending on whether it's brown or white bread and whether I'm having it with tea or coffee is like trying to negotiate one of Sherlock's mind palaces, level 2.
Today alone I have had 3 ludicrous AI-infused book "collaboration" opportunities. The prize surely goes to 'Sophia' though, with her review of my (not yet published) novel which, "moves ... with the precision of bagpipes at midnight." Only because the piper's been guttered a good 3 hours, Sophia.
November 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Today alone I have had 3 ludicrous AI-infused book "collaboration" opportunities. The prize surely goes to 'Sophia' though, with her review of my (not yet published) novel which, "moves ... with the precision of bagpipes at midnight." Only because the piper's been guttered a good 3 hours, Sophia.
Reposted by Shona MacLean
“Man is not truly one but truly two.”
Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish writer, born #OTD 1850, author of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde 1886. Dr Jekyll’s house probably based on dual-entrance London house of surgeon & anatomist Dr John Hunter: corpses delivered at back for dissection.
Sargent 1887 Taft Museum
Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish writer, born #OTD 1850, author of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde 1886. Dr Jekyll’s house probably based on dual-entrance London house of surgeon & anatomist Dr John Hunter: corpses delivered at back for dissection.
Sargent 1887 Taft Museum
November 13, 2025 at 5:59 AM
“Man is not truly one but truly two.”
Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish writer, born #OTD 1850, author of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde 1886. Dr Jekyll’s house probably based on dual-entrance London house of surgeon & anatomist Dr John Hunter: corpses delivered at back for dissection.
Sargent 1887 Taft Museum
Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish writer, born #OTD 1850, author of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde 1886. Dr Jekyll’s house probably based on dual-entrance London house of surgeon & anatomist Dr John Hunter: corpses delivered at back for dissection.
Sargent 1887 Taft Museum
Flicking through my journal for something, the words 'Blowhard buffoon' jumped out at me, and without checking the date or anything in the context, I knew instantly who I'd been talking about, even though I'd only met him once.
November 12, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Flicking through my journal for something, the words 'Blowhard buffoon' jumped out at me, and without checking the date or anything in the context, I knew instantly who I'd been talking about, even though I'd only met him once.
I went to see someone today, to return some documents they had lent to me for a research project. We talked of many things and then I came away with a string of onions that they gifted to me, that they had grown and strung themselves, and something in the skill of it all astonishes me.
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I went to see someone today, to return some documents they had lent to me for a research project. We talked of many things and then I came away with a string of onions that they gifted to me, that they had grown and strung themselves, and something in the skill of it all astonishes me.
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Moore rather gave the game away on Today just now when he mentioned climate change as one of the things on which the BBC should be impartial. Treating the truth and lies as though they are equal isn't impartiality, it's an abdication of the most basic journalistic responsibility
November 10, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Moore rather gave the game away on Today just now when he mentioned climate change as one of the things on which the BBC should be impartial. Treating the truth and lies as though they are equal isn't impartiality, it's an abdication of the most basic journalistic responsibility
Reposted by Shona MacLean
“Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.”
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens. (Die Jungfrau von Orleans)
Friedrich Schiller, German philosopher, playwright, co-founder with Goethe of Weimar Theatre; born #OTD 1759.
Portrait c 1810 by von Kügelgen Frankfurter Goethe-Haus
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens. (Die Jungfrau von Orleans)
Friedrich Schiller, German philosopher, playwright, co-founder with Goethe of Weimar Theatre; born #OTD 1759.
Portrait c 1810 by von Kügelgen Frankfurter Goethe-Haus
November 10, 2025 at 6:17 AM
“Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.”
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens. (Die Jungfrau von Orleans)
Friedrich Schiller, German philosopher, playwright, co-founder with Goethe of Weimar Theatre; born #OTD 1759.
Portrait c 1810 by von Kügelgen Frankfurter Goethe-Haus
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens. (Die Jungfrau von Orleans)
Friedrich Schiller, German philosopher, playwright, co-founder with Goethe of Weimar Theatre; born #OTD 1759.
Portrait c 1810 by von Kügelgen Frankfurter Goethe-Haus
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Quite youtu.be/ZhL57cjN8xY?...
The News Where You Are
YouTube video by James Robertson
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Quite youtu.be/ZhL57cjN8xY?...
Reposted by Shona MacLean
I was in #Whitby for the Literary Festival + visited the archives in the local museum to research the writer #StormJameson who we will republish next year. This ghoulish dried human hand (on display in the museum) points the way through the town. One can see why Bram Stoker’s #Dracula was set here!
November 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I was in #Whitby for the Literary Festival + visited the archives in the local museum to research the writer #StormJameson who we will republish next year. This ghoulish dried human hand (on display in the museum) points the way through the town. One can see why Bram Stoker’s #Dracula was set here!
Put down my book, picked up my phone, curious to see what online reviewers were saying. Noticed I had an email I'd been waiting for, so opened and read that. Somehow then found myself on Instagram. Saw ad for a nice dress froman ethical fashion company. Went downstairs to get my purse. Dress duly
November 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Put down my book, picked up my phone, curious to see what online reviewers were saying. Noticed I had an email I'd been waiting for, so opened and read that. Somehow then found myself on Instagram. Saw ad for a nice dress froman ethical fashion company. Went downstairs to get my purse. Dress duly
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Massive thanks to the brilliant Sally Magnusson for coming along to Stromness Library last night to discuss her fabulous new novel The Shapeshifter's Daughter.
Both the old and new Stromness Library buildings feature in the story so it was wonderful to hold the event there. ❤️
Both the old and new Stromness Library buildings feature in the story so it was wonderful to hold the event there. ❤️
November 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Massive thanks to the brilliant Sally Magnusson for coming along to Stromness Library last night to discuss her fabulous new novel The Shapeshifter's Daughter.
Both the old and new Stromness Library buildings feature in the story so it was wonderful to hold the event there. ❤️
Both the old and new Stromness Library buildings feature in the story so it was wonderful to hold the event there. ❤️
New breakfast read. Nothing quite like that moment when you decide on your next book.
November 7, 2025 at 7:12 AM
New breakfast read. Nothing quite like that moment when you decide on your next book.
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Aberdeen friends! I’m going to be talking about Aberdeen friends (Nan Shepherd and Agnes Mure Mackenzie, mainly) for Bookweek Scotland. Come if you can! aberdeencity.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
Book Week Scotland: Nan Shepherd and her friends | Aberdeen City Libraries
In recent years, Nan Shepherd has often been imagined as a solitary walker and
writer. This talk by Dr. Tim Baker looks at the importance of female friendship
in her writing and life, placing She...
aberdeencity.spydus.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Aberdeen friends! I’m going to be talking about Aberdeen friends (Nan Shepherd and Agnes Mure Mackenzie, mainly) for Bookweek Scotland. Come if you can! aberdeencity.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
I was out on my bike for the 1st time in ages today, just 3 miles to a hotel in the next village for lunch with a friend. It poured all the way home and I was soaked and mud-splattered and felt brilliant. So liberating to get somewhere under your own steam, to feel you've got one over on "them".*
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I was out on my bike for the 1st time in ages today, just 3 miles to a hotel in the next village for lunch with a friend. It poured all the way home and I was soaked and mud-splattered and felt brilliant. So liberating to get somewhere under your own steam, to feel you've got one over on "them".*
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
I have received so many adulatory AI-generated emails from "book reviewers" today alone that I will probably just skip the Booker and head straight for the Nobel Prize. Or something.
October 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I have received so many adulatory AI-generated emails from "book reviewers" today alone that I will probably just skip the Booker and head straight for the Nobel Prize. Or something.
In-putting names for a highland history project, and wondering how it is that the MacDonalds have not simply taken over the earth. Also recalling a story of a friend of my husband's being bumped from a flight from Stornoway because airline security could not cope with 8 Norman Macleods on 1 flight.
October 30, 2025 at 9:31 AM
In-putting names for a highland history project, and wondering how it is that the MacDonalds have not simply taken over the earth. Also recalling a story of a friend of my husband's being bumped from a flight from Stornoway because airline security could not cope with 8 Norman Macleods on 1 flight.
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Reposted by Shona MacLean
Time to repost this…
October 29, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Time to repost this…