A poet, author and former art teacher, Liz Lochhead was named Scotland’s makar, or poet laureate, last year. The post enables her to share her passion for the written and spoken word with Scots of all generations.

What book are you reading now?

Something not at all my usual kind of novel at all, and one that took me a while to get into, then I really enjoyed. A big long Julian Barnes novel Arthur and George, which is, on the surface, about Arthur Conan Doyle using his literary fame to overturn a grotesque miscarriage of justice (as he did in reality) but becomes about much more - love, the meaning of life and death, wee things like that! - with a light touch and some subtle, humane humour. 

What would you like to read next?

I'll go back to Don Paterson's book on Shakespeare's Sonnets. It is his personal, passionate reading of them that is such good fun to argue with sometimes, and - always - to enjoy.

Where and when do you usually read?

I read all the time. I read in bed when I can't sleep. I read on trains. I read while eating my tea. This last isn't good. I'm usually re-reading something I've read already and know I love.

What is your favourite book?

Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro, because I'd felt she was being valedictory in her previous one, The View from Castle Rock, but, no, there it was, yet another collection of dazzling short stories, as great as ever. Oh, and Wuthering Heights. Of course.

Which author is your secret guilty pleasure?

I don't ever feel guilty about any reading I enjoy. Something like... oooh Dracula, say, is hokum but great hi-hokum.

Has there been a book that you have you been unable to finish?

Hundreds and hundreds. I don't usually persevere - life's too short - though I'm very glad I did with Arthur and George...

Do you read books electronically?

Yes. I love to. And no... it's not quite the same.

Do you think there will there always be books in printed form?

Yes. See above.

Earlier this week Liz Lochhead took part in a Meet our Authors event, run by Scottish Book Trust (Scotland’s leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing) and sponsored by Scottish Friendly Assurance. You can see the event online here.