At this peculiar – and often lonely – time of social isolation, there can be few more welcome treats than the discovery of a brand new Podcast. Pop in your ear-buds then and listen-in to the new regular podcast, Books for Your Library, from Books Up North. We heartily recommend it to you. It is a perfectly balanced conversation from a professional broadcaster who sprinkles her questions with laughter and insight and keeps her subject (on this occasion, Alexander McCall Smith) on topic!

In an hour-long conversation, Sarah Tyson talks to Alexander about all of his books published in the UK in the second half of this year: A Promise of Ankles (Scotland Street), In a Time of Distance (and other Poems), Tiny Tales, and How to Raise an Elephant (No.1 Ladies Detective Agency). They chat about Lockdown and where might be the best location when hiding away from the world, about the very different challenges posed by fiction and poetry, the delights of the short story form and much, much more. If felt intimate, knowledgable, well researched – delightful!

You can listen now at

Or follow on Anchor FM 

Find out more about Books Up North on their website. And click on any of the covers below to read more about the latest books.