February 13th 2025.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Scottish author Kirsty Logan recently, where we discussed her love for books, the writers who inspire her, and what she's currently reading. She will also be making an appearance at Granite Noir in the near future.
When asked about her first memorable reading experience, Logan fondly recalled "The Dribblesome Teapots" by Norman Hunter. This quirky collection of fairytales set in the fantastical land of Inkrediblania captured her imagination with its blend of bizarre and magical occurrences, alongside everyday mundane activities. Logan particularly enjoyed the title story, where the King of Inkrediblania deals with the annoyance of constantly dribbling teapots, leading to a hilarious twist involving a palace magician. This book holds a special place in Logan's heart and she hopes to one day read it to her own child.
One book that Logan highly recommends to everyone is "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters. She has read it multiple times and is always amazed by the intricate plotting and perfect sentences that make up this novel. Logan describes it as having a "double twist" that keeps the reader on their toes, even upon rereading it. The author's skillful storytelling is evident in every chapter, making it a must-read in Logan's opinion.
Logan also shared her love for "Sick Houses" by Leila Taylor, a book that explores different types of houses and their histories, from witch houses to murder houses. She praises the author's intelligence and thought-provoking analysis in each chapter, making it a book she highly recommends.
Despite being a lover of books, Logan admits that she is also a book abandoner. She believes that if a book doesn't capture her interest within the first 20 pages, it's not meant to be read at that moment. She prefers to come back to a book when she is in the right headspace for it, rather than forcing herself to read it and potentially resenting it.
When asked about the author that has inspired her the most, Logan immediately mentioned Emma Donoghue and her book "Kissing the Witch". This collection of retold lesbian fairytales had a profound impact on Logan, leading her to write her undergraduate dissertation on the topic. She admires Donoghue's talent and considers her a genius in the literary world.
Currently, Logan is reading "Doppelganger" by Naomi Klein, a book she enjoyed so much she bought a physical copy after listening to the audiobook. She describes it as her "before bed book", but due to her constant exhaustion, she only manages to read a few pages before dozing off. She is also reading "And Then? And Then? What Else?" by Daniel Handler, known for his popular "A Series of Unfortunate Events" books. Logan is fascinated by this collection of essays, which delves into the life of a writer and their unique influences.
Logan is excited to be a part of Granite Noir's "Myth, Murder and Monstrosity" event, alongside other talented writers like Sarah Maria Griffin and Elle Nash. She encourages everyone to attend this event and experience the magic of literature. Granite Noir will take place in various locations in Aberdeen from February 20th to 23rd. For tickets and more information, visit aberdeenperformingarts.com/granite-noir/. And for more book recommendations, be sure to check out "The Good Books" and subscribe to the latest issue of Scottish Field.
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