July 29th 2024.
As a child, Heather Critchlow remembers learning to read with fondness. She would wake up every morning and eagerly reach for her book, spending hours sounding out each letter until she could effortlessly read the words on the page. And one day, it happened - the letters seamlessly transformed into words and she could read! It was a magical moment that she still remembers vividly. The book that holds this special memory for her is Little Bear Stories, a collection of adventurous tales about a little bear and his beloved Mother Bear.
Now, as an adult, Heather is an avid reader and loves to recommend books to everyone. One of her top picks is Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka. This gripping crime novel follows the last 12 hours of a man on death row, through the perspectives of three women in his life - his mother, sister-in-law, and the detective who helped catch him. Heather praises the book for its beautiful writing and its focus on the women rather than the criminal, which aligns with her own preference for crime fiction that centers around the victim.
Reflecting on the past year, Heather shares her top three reads. The first is The Under History by Kaaron Warren, a haunting and eerie novel about a woman who survives a plane crash and turns her family's mansion into a haunted house tour. Next is The Stranding by Kate Sawyer, a dystopian story about a woman who seeks refuge in a dead whale on a beach in New Zealand. And finally, as a break from the darker themes, Heather recommends The Art of Belonging by Eleanor Ray, a heartwarming tale of a mother and daughter who are brought back together after the daughter's marriage ends.
However, not every book is a hit for Heather. She recalls reading The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, which was hailed as a masterpiece but left her feeling cold. She also remembers purchasing a non-fiction book with a quirky title, only to discover it was extremely right-wing. After a few chapters of listening to her rant, her husband kindly suggested she didn't have to finish it - and it remains the only book she's ever thrown away.
As a writer herself, it's no surprise that Heather has been inspired by fellow author Maggie O'Farrell. She recalls being so engrossed in O'Farrell's book After You'd Gone that she missed her bus stop and almost got locked on the bus. Heather has been a fan of O'Farrell's writing since her early days as a student, and she admires how her work continues to improve with each book.
When it comes to the perfect reading spot, Heather envisions a cozy afternoon in bed with a cup of tea and a box of chocolates, listening to the rain outside. However, in reality, she often finds herself reading late at night in bed, only to have the book fall on her face when she dozes off.
Heather Critchlow grew up in rural Aberdeenshire and her upbringing greatly influences her writing. Her debut book, Unsolved, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year in 2023. Her latest book, Unsound, will be publishing in September. To stay updated on her work and more book news, readers can subscribe to Scottish Field and read the latest issue.
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