Many existing top 20 Scottish writers have flourished in part because of good turns done by institutions, arts community, libraries and bookshops.

When my father first took me to Ennis Library I went down among the shelves and felt company, not only the company of writers, but the readers too, because they had lifted and opened and read these books. The books were worn in a way they can only get worn by hands and eyes and minds

There are so many problems to solve on this planet first before we begin to trash other worlds.

One thing I__ realized in the last year was that there were some things no one could give you permission to do. All the same, it didn__ mean you couldn__ or shouldn__ do them_ particularly when it came to the big things, like saving the world, or journeying to a supernatural seam between realities, or bringing your boyfriend back from the dead.

No, I'm not one of those guys. I'd never get anything done if I rescued everyone who needed it. But I do like to help people I care about. That's why I'm here with you right now.

Elizabeth sank into the leather wing chair in the library of her mind and began to read.