Reading lists become pretty dull pretty quickly, but that shouldn’t put you off reading altogether. It’s the perfect screen-free activity for curling up in the sun, or hiding from Scotland’s infamous rain and resting your brain from all that essay writing. Here’s a rundown of Brig’s favourites to get you started.
Brig’s recommendations
The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by C.S Robertson is a thrilling, engaging murder mystery with a twist. It’s set between Glasgow and Bute and follows Grace, who cleans up the mess after someone has passed away and has not been found for a very long time. The Scottish setting and twisting, dark plotline make it the perfect read when you’re hiding from your commitments.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, known for her Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone series, (also notable reads) follows Alex Stern on Yale campus. The university setting makes it the perfect fantasy/fiction escape for reading whilst studying. However, this university is filled with ghosts, occult, magic, and monsters. The outline of the book comes across as a bit cringe, however, it is greatly entertaining, dark, and very well written.
Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan has recently been adapted into a TV series. It is a funny, poignant, heartbreaking read on what it means to be human. It follows characters James and Tully in a small Scottish town, from their youth to adulthood. Facing themes of love, friendship, death, and the absence of time. It is a must-read for those wanting to really feel a story.
You can pick up all of these books from second-hand book sites such as Awesome Books and Abe Books. There’s no excuse to not get reading this semester!
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Journalism student at the University of Stirling & BRAW Magazine editor 24/25 and 25/26 🙂
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