May 17th 2024.
When asked about his childhood books, Callum McSorley fondly recalls the first book he ever read. It was Keith Brumpton's two Rudley Cabot books, which he read over and over again. These were short graphic novels about an explorer rabbit, and they left a lasting impression on him. He also remembers R. L. Stine's Goosebumps book, The Headless Ghost, which he found terrifying even from just looking at the cover. McSorley admits that to this day, ghost stories still scare him the most. He believes that there's something about them that is truly terrifying, more so than monsters or knife-wielding maniacs.
When it comes to recommending books, McSorley always suggests Neuromancer by William Gibson. He considers it one of his all-time favorite books, and for good reason. It's a perfect mix of sci-fi, noir, and beat generation style that remains fresh and exciting even after almost 40 years. He recommends it to everyone, regardless of whether they are fans of the genre or not.
Reflecting on the past year, McSorley shares the three best books he has read: In Ascension by Martin MacInnes, Denise Mina's The Second Murderer, and Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway. These books, all with a sci-fi/hardboiled crossover, left a lasting impression on him. He praises their unique premises, styles, and thrilling action scenes.
However, not every book is a winner for McSorley. The most recent book he didn't finish was The Black Lizard by Edogawa Rampo. As a fan of Japanese mysteries, he was excited to read it but ultimately couldn't get into the writing style. He admits that the description of the "sexy, amply-rounded peach-colored flesh" of the female lead was where he gave up.
When it comes to inspiration, McSorley looks to author Louise Welsh. He first discovered her novel, The Cutting Room, at a time when he was obsessed with American hardboiled detective stories. Her depiction of Glasgow in the novel changed his perspective of what a Glasgow novel could be. It was familiar yet new, gritty yet glamorous. McSorley believes that if he hadn't read that book, his writing may have taken a different path. He also praises Welsh's latest novel, To The Dogs, for its thrilling plot and complex characters, which align with his own writing goals.
As for his favorite place to read, McSorley jokes about reading beside a roaring log fire in an Alpine lodge while the snow falls outside. In reality, he only has time to read in bed before falling asleep. However, he does admit to enjoying reading on trains.
Living in Glasgow, McSorley's debut novel Squeaky Clean, published by Pushkin Vertigo, won The McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2023. To stay updated with the latest book news, he recommends reading more on Scottish Field's website and subscribing to the magazine.
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