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SAINT MALO, FRANCE - JUNE 12: English Author Alexander McCall Smith poses during "Etonnants Voyageurs" book festival on June 12, 2011 in Saint Malo, France. (Photo by Raphael GAILLARDE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Alexander McCall Smith's mysterious case of books
Previous Episodes
In this picture taken on November 8, 2018, Scottish novelist Irvine Welsh poses during an interview with AFP in Hong Kong. - Twenty-five years ago Irvine Welsh's debut novel "Trainspotting" burst out of the housing schemes and back alleys of post-industrial Scotland in a whirlwind of drugs, sex and violence that horrified and delighted critics alike. Scotland's most famous ex-heroin addict is still delivering the goods, and is as far as ever from settling for "carpet slippers and a cottage on the coast." (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

Irvine Welsh's literary highs

Books of my life
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Thomas/Shutterstock (10011336q) Opera Singer, Sir Bryn Terfel, arrives to perform on 'The Andrew Marr Show' at the BBC Studios. The Andrew Marr Television Show, London, UK - 02 Dec 2018

The story of Bryn Terfel

Books of my life
Mandatory Credit: Photo by DAVID HARTLEY/Shutterstock (10437477ad) Professor Mary Beard at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Cheltenham Literature Festival, UK - 06 Oct 2019

Mary Beard, the books that left her spellbound

Books of my life
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - [DATE]: Ian Rankin at Charlotte Square Gardens on August 16, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Robbie Jack - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Ian Rankin, the evil that inspired him

Books of my life
Author and entrepreneurArianna Huffington, who is a guest on the 'Books of My Life' podcast

Podcast: Arianna Huffington, the books that inspired the media powerhouse

Books of my life
From left: Mary Beard, Ian Rankin, Arianna Huffington and Alexander McCall Smith are among the guests who appear on The National's the 'Books of My Life' podcast series. 

Why I wanted to interview people about their favourite books

Books
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EDITOR'S PICKS
Prof Hassan Arafat is a renowned expert in water technology and desalinisation, with a focus on food security. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi professor tells of pride at receiving UAE citizenship under new scheme

UAE Government
Falcon X will be able to fly up to 7,500 nautical miles, capable of travelling non-stop between New York and Shanghai, or Los Angeles and Sydney. Courtesy Dassault

France’s Dassault launches Falcon X long-range business jet

Aviation
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, walks down the purple carpet in Jeddah during his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Courtesy Saudi Press Agency

Why Saudi Arabia is rolling out the purple carpet for its VIP guests

Arts&Culture
A sign on Dubai's Kite Beach warning people they will be fined if using a bike or a scooter on the jogging track. Chris Whiteoak / The National

E-scooters and bicycles banned from Dubai beach

Transport

How my little island became a battleground between Britain and France

Peter Hellyer
Popular Podcasts
Abu Dhabi has increased the number of countries on its 'green list' by nine to 23 in total. Passengers from these countries are not required to quarantine in the emirate. Ryan Carter / The National

Abu Dhabi quarantine rules, Etisalat gift scholarships, 1,847 new cases - The Daily Update

Podcasts
It takes discipline and a long-term investment strategy to build wealth. Getty Images

Who wants to be a millionaire? – Pocketful of Dirhams

Podcasts
The incident happened northbound on Emirates Road. Courtesy Dubai Police Security Media

Dubai pile-up, Dh1bn aid, EU travel restrictions and 1,722 new cases - The Daily Update

Podcasts
Funeral pyres of Covid-19 victims burn in an area converted for mass cremation in New Delhi, India. AP

Beyond the Headlines: how did India's Covid crisis get so big?

Beyond The Headlines