Leugh Mi/Book Show - Season 1

In this series Anna Macleod is in conversation with two guests each week about their favourite books and also finds out more about their lives. In this episode Ishi Maclean talks about how an account of a journey from London to Sydney inspired her own travels in Africa and other places. She also discusses the book that continues to inspire her own ambitions to be a writer. Domhnall Iain Macdonald talks about the lasting impact the poetry of Sorley Maclean has had on him as well as how his further book choices reflect his academic studies into addiction and the workings of the brain.

In this episode Aideen O' Malley talks about the books she associates with her upbringing in Dublin, as well as the book that gave her a greater understanding of autism, a condition which affects her family. The Rev John D. Urquhart's childhood on the east coast of Harris was very different, and he discusses the very personal nature of one of his book choices and also how another book choice served to confirm to him the link between art and religion.

In this episode two teachers discuss their choices. Sarah Fraser talks about her childhood reading in North Uist, and how today she is as likely to be found leafing through cake books as she is reading the latest Scandi-noir thriller. Iona Brown is from Tiree and now teaches in South Uist. Her book choices range from a look at racial tensions in America's deep south in the 1960s to a well-thumbed collection of Gaelic song.

In this episode, well-known broadcaster Gilleasbuig Ferguson discusses the book which highlights his personal connections with Canada, and also explains why a special copy of an old dictionary means so much to him. When Catriona MacRae isn't busy working as a GP, her favourite reading takes her to places as far apart as Majorca and Afghanistan. She also talks about how reading is an important family activity and how a favourite book was recommended to her by her daughter.

This programme features the choices of two guests with Lewis connections. Coinneach Morrison's book choices reflect his interest his interest in science fiction, the environment and Japanese language and culture. Mairi Alice Bartlett's love of story-telling extends to a passion for drama, but she also talks about how strong female characters draw her to all kinds of fiction.

In this programme we hear from Anna Martin and Kirsty Maclean about their Australian connections, amongst other things. One book in particular revealed to Anna Martin the turbulent history of Australia's aborigines, but she also explains why a certain children's storybook means so much to her and her family. Kirsty Maclean's book choices also take her back to Australia, the land of her birth, and she also reveals how two novels centred on World War II have had an impact on her.

When Donald MacNeil isn't busy in his role as director of Comann na Gàidhlig, he likes nothing better than a good detective novel. He also talks about the book he first read as a boy but which he still returns to. Amongst Josie Macleod's choices are a novel that many school pupils have read for their exams, as well as one of the great romantic novels of the 19th century.

Ruairidh Alasdair Maclennan has no shortage of reading to do for his master's degree at Glasgow University, but he also likes to read for pleasure. He'll talks about the books that have influenced him since childhood and more recently. Anna MacQuarrie is originally from the Black Isle and also has family connections with Mull and Harris. Archaeology is one of her passions, and her book choice takes us to places as far apart as Japan and the Arctic Circle.

In this episode, Alasdair MacCalum talks about his upbringing in Stepps, near Glasgow, and his work as a Gaelic development officer in the Scottish Parliament. His reading, however, takes us to different worlds and dimensions, as he talks about his passion for science fiction. Sarah MacEachen is from South Uist, where she works translating children's books into Gaelic. When not doing that, her own choice of books takes us from conflict in prehistoric times to a tale of murder on the Isle of Lewis.

In this episode, Alasdair MacLeod talks about his work as a councillor in Point on the Isle of Lewis. His book choices, meanwhile, reflect his interest in cooking and the environment, amongst other things. Calum Macleod is from Inverness, with connections to the Isle of Barra. His reading ranges from American history to Russian culture - via the seedier side of Edinburgh!

In this episode, Shona Henderson talks about her reading while growing up on the Isle of Harris, and also the well-thumbed book that had guided her up many a Scottish mountain. John Norman Macdonald also grew up in Harris, but he also be talks about the time he spent on a Kibbutz in Israel during the first Gulf War. His book choices also reveal his interest in Highland and American history.

In the final programme of the series, Anna will be talking to Tommy MacAskill, originally from Skye but now living in London. His diverse fiction choices include Daphne du Maurier and Stephen King and we'll also hear about his own writing for stage. Michael Hill is originally from Ayr and now also lives in London. His work as a voice coach also brings him into contact with actors and on Leugh Mi he explains how one book in particular literally changed his life!