Discover more book recommendations
Ask a Bookseller: Elaine from Daydreams Bookshop
Bookshops are the very best places to go for book recommendations – and booksellers are the friendliest, most knowledgeable of readers!
Elaine from Daydreams Bookshop in Milngavie has joined us to answer your questions and share her favourite picks.
Want a recommendation of your own? Submit a question for our guest booksellers and if it's answered, we'll send you a £15/€20 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop.
What makes Daydreams Bookshop a great place to visit?
"Daydreams Bookshop is a cosy wee bookshop for adults and children. We try to stock a little bit of everything: fiction, non-fiction, young adult, and we have a beautiful children’s corner with a tree and twinkly lights to sit under to read. We take pride in stocking Scottish products, as well as books, and we were delighted to win National Book Tokens Newcomer of the Year 2025. We sit right at the start of the famous West Highland Way walking route in Milngavie, so we meet lots of interesting people passing through, as well as catering to our amazingly supportive local community." Elaine
What's a classic novel that is worth reading as someone who has never really read classics? Oliwia
I've got to admit that I struggle with classics myself – the language can be tricky to follow and can transport you back to high school English (which might not be a fond memory!). However, my absolute favourite is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It captures the glamour and excitement of New York in the 1920s, whilst being a poignant story of unrequited love.
What's your favourite part of selling books? Jennifer
My favourite part of selling books is talking to customers, getting to know their taste, and then matching them up with amazing new books that are perfect for them. It's even better when they come back to tell me how much they enjoyed them!
What books would you recommend to bridge the gap between picture books and chapter books for a 6-year-old who loves books? Sheila
There are lots of great children's books available at the moment that include short chapters and lots of pictures which really helps to bridge this gap. Some of our bestsellers are the Isadora Moon series, Billy and the Mini Monsters series, Unipiggle series and, my 7-year-old son's personal favourite, Press Start series (which follows Super Rabbit Boy in a colourful video game adventure).
What book/anthology would you choose for someone who wants to start reading poetry? Anna
I'm a huge fan of Donna Ashworth and would strongly recommend Wild Hope as a starting point for you. It is the type of book that you can just pick up any time and read a page or two, and I guarantee that whichever page you open, it will resonate with you that day. Donna's way of expressing feelings using words is simply magical.
What would you recommend for my 9-year-old son? His two favourite things are reading and football, but most football-related books seem to be stories about the background of famous players. Are there any football-related fiction books that would keep him engrossed? Richard
I would recommend Kick by Mitch Johnson. It is an inspiring fictional story about a boy who makes football boots in Jakarta, but dreams of playing football for the greatest team on earth. A sure winner for young fans of football and fiction.
