What I appreciate about Alexander McCall Smith is that he celebrates the ordinary. His view of life and love is beautifully observed, cleverly detailed, and accurately described. He creates conflict and embroiders it with philosophy. There is always depth tinged with humour or is it humour tinged with depth? The author worked as a medical law professor before he started writing novels, so it should be no surprise that he is good at ethics. I am delighted to have a ticket to hear him speak in London next month!
He has a number of series, all of which I follow. I do enjoy the comfort of a series at times, although it almost seems he writes them much faster than I can read them! I am caught up on the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series, have only one more to read in the Isobel Dalhousie Series, but am woefully behind in this series, 44 Scotland Street. This one is #5 out of nine. But that is actually good news – I don’t really want to finish and have none left. If you are a Smith fan you are following me right now, if not, you need to click here: Alexander McCall Smith Books
44 Scotland Street first appeared in weekly instalments in The Scotsman, an Edinburgh newspaper. The recurring characters, who will soon seem like neighbours down your own street, are among others:
Bertie Pollock: 5 year old saxophone player who also speaks Italian
Irene Pollock: Bertie’s mother who acts more like Bertie’s personal trainer
Stuart Pollock: perpetually misplaces his car
Dr. Hugo Fairbairn: Bertie’s psychoanalyst
Olive and Tofu: Bertie’s friends, both incorrigible
Matthew Duncan: owner of an art gallery
Angus Lordie: portrait painter and owner of Cyril
Cyril: Angus’s dog with a gold tooth and an insatiable taste for ankles
Bruce Anderson: narcissist, but not incurably so
Big Lou: owner of a coffee bar, ever unlucky in love
Publishers Weekly: “episodic, amusing and peopled with characters both endearing and benignly problematic.”
Library Journal said that “Smith’s insightful and comic observations, makes for an amusing and absorbing look at Edinburgh society.”
Bookseller said that “the writing style is understated, and the humour subtle but at times devastating.” (Wikipedia)
Joanne's Reading Blog 
Sounds delightful!
Nice post
Just finished 44 Scotland Street. Enjoyable and now ready for Espresso Tales.
Always have an one of Alexander’ s books in my reading pile.
I am envious of you, going to see Alexander McCall Smith in person.