2022 has once again been a year like no other.
There have been hardships. There have been great successes.
It all boils down to the final chime of Hogmanay, and we do it all over again.
At Luath, we have been particularly busy this year. We are proud of every book we brought out and can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for 2023!
We asked some of our staff what their favourite reads this year have been and they are delighted to share these with you!
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My book of the year is The Tongue She Speaks by Emma Grae.
As someone who has grown up surrounded by the Scots language while simultaneously having ‘speak properly’ drilled into me, Emma’s book opened my eyes more than ever to the value of our leid.
What is great is that the language is accessible and modern – it is truly the tongue we speak! Not to mention the story itself and the important messages of identity and belonging, the universal experience of growing up but with a unique Scottish element.
I loved it, and I'm sure you would too!
Kira Dowie
Events and Editorial co-ordinator
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The Laddie, the Mowdie, the Tod and the Cuddie: The Animatit Story by Charlie Mackesy, translated by Matthew Fitt, has been an exceptional read this year – and I have loved it!
Given it was one of the first few titles I was able to work on here at Luath, it is always going to hold a special place in my heart.
The way Charlie’s art works so beautifully with Matthew’s Scots translation has made an impact on me. I keep finding myself returning to the pages for inspiration.
It was also a delight to be invited down to the film screening in London earlier this month. It has truly been a whole experience in itself.
I can’t wait to be able to share it with all my friends and family this holiday season (and keep boosting our translations too!)
I leave you with the words I will be taking into the new years with me,
”That’s why we’re aw here is it no?” said the Laddie.
”For cake?” spiered the Mowdie.
”Tae love… and tae be loved.”
Amy Turnbull
Sales and Marketing co-ordinator
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Bha e doirbh leabhar a thaghadh, ach saoilidh mi gur e Cailèideascop le Daibhidh Eyre an leabhar as fheàrr leam.
Mholainn e gu duine sam bith, ge brith am bi iad a’ leughadh sci-fi no nach bi, oir cha bhi mise a’ leughadh sci-fi mar as àbhaist nas motha, ach chòrd an leabhar seo rium gu mòr!
Tha mise den bheachd gu bheil rudeigin san leabhar airson a h-uile duine: tha rùn-dìomhair ann (tha cuideigin an tòir air caractar, ach carson agus cò?); tha caractaran ann an diofar linntean (na 1810s, 2010s is 2210s) ceangailte ri chèile; tha Eyre air dealbhan àlainn, dathmhor a chruthachadh le faclan agus thug e air na caractaran agus an saoghal a thighinn beò; agus bha an leabhar tlachdmhor agus dòchasach. Tha mi an dòchas gun tog sibhse e cuideachd, gu h-àraid an fheadhainn agaibh nach bi a’ leughadh sci-fi.
Ma dh’fheuchas sibh rudeigin eadar-dhealaichte, is dòcha gum faigh sibh a-mach gun còrd e ribh cho mòr agus a chòrd e riumsa!
It was hard to choose a book, but I think Cailèideascop by David Eyre is my favourite book.
I would recommend it to anyone, whether they read sci-fi or not, because I don’t read sci-fi usually either, but I enjoyed this book a lot!
I think there is something in the book for everyone: there is a mystery (someone is in pursuit of a character, but why and who?); characters in different periods (the 1810s, 2010s and 2210s) are connected to each other; Eyre has made beautiful, colourful images with words and he made the characters and the world come alive; and the book was enjoyable and hopeful.
I hope you pick it up too, especially those of you who don’t read sci-fi. If you try something different, maybe you find out you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Melvin Oosterhuis
Gaelic Marketing, Events and Publishing Co-ordinator
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I’ve seen a lot of books this year, but my top pick for 2022 is ’Mon the Workers.
I loved that, rather than focusing on the historic details of trade unionism in Scotland, it instead focuses on the personal experiences of the people who were a part of it.
There are tons of great stories in this book by people from all walks of life, personal histories of fights against racism and political injustice. But the most memorable contribution for me was the story of how ordinary Cineworld workers fought to keep the night-time taxi allowance so they and their colleagues could get home safely. It felt so close to the experiences my friends and I had when we worked in customer-facing jobs, like retail and hospitality.
I never really thought much about the kind of power we could have possessed, even in that part-time kind of job, until I read this book.
Scott Kemp
Press and Media co-ordinator
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We wish you a happy new year from all of us here at Luath Press!
We will see you in 2023!
Bliadhna mhath ùr bhuainn uile aig Luath Press!
Chì sinn sibh a-rithist ann an 2023!
