The Book Café - 13/12/2010

In "Murder at Mansfield Park," Lynn Shepherd takes Jane Austen's classic and turns it into a murder mystery. With the story turned on its head and new characters introduced, does she think she can improve Austen's writing? Is this an enjoyable twist on an old classic? Or creative plagiarism? Lynn joins Clare English in the studio to tell her more. For the last thirty years of his life, Hugh MacDiarmid lived in a small cottage near Biggar. The cottage might have fallen into disrepair after his death, had it not been for the efforts of friends and supporters who put it to use as a "living museum," where writers could live and work. Author James Robertson was the first writer to be based at the cottage, and takes us inside. BBC Radio Scotland's joint campaign with the Scottish Book Trust, "Family Legends," has been running since October, and believes every family has a story to tell. Writer Robert Douglas gives us tips on how to start putting your story to paper. In our weekly visit to BBC Radio Scotland's Zones, we'll hear Ricky Ross interviewing author Andrew Greig. Plus, over 34 million books were sold in the run up to Christmas last year - double the average monthly figures. We'll look back at some of the best reads of 2010 and find out what would make great Christmas gifts. Produced by Serena Field & Rich Preston.