Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2018: English author Maine scoops prize

Waterstones has named The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine as its Scottish Book of the Year and to celebrate publisher Hodder & Stoughton has produced a special gift edition of the book. 

The Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year specifically champions books by authors based in Scotland, or titles that have a strong Scottish setting. The award is voted for by the managers of all Scottish Waterstones shops. 

In The House Between Tides, the rugged island of North Uist plays an integral part in anchoring two stories of love and loss across the divide of history. 

Hodder & Stoughton have produced a gift edition of the historical novel, bound with an embossed foil design and sprayed purple edges, available exclusively from Waterstones bookshops across Scotland at £8.99. 

Sales of the 2017 Scottish Book of The Year winner The Other Mrs Walker by Mary Paulson-Ellis doubled following the announcement of the award. Previous recipients include His Bloody Project by Graeme MacRae Burnet in 2016 and Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon in 2015.

English author Maine said: “I was thrilled to hear that The House Between Tides has been picked as Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year for 2018. I'm so appreciative of their support for the book, and for Waterstones’ terrific championing of the lively world of books in Scotland.” 

Angie Crawford, Waterstones Scottish Buying Manager, said: “This atmospheric novel, shrouded in mystery and rich with wild Scottish landscapes, cleverly weaves together the stories of two women whose lives are separated by a century. As soon as our booksellers read The House Between Tides we knew that this beautifully crafted novel would resonate strongly with our customers, and we subsequently chose it as our Scottish Book Of The Month in August. It is therefore with great pride that we declare The House Between Tides Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2018 . We hope that in doing so this excellent novel receives all the attention it deserves and that it is enjoyed by as many readers as possible.”