Date Published: 30th December 2019

Seasonal treats not to be missed – Alexander McCall Smith’s Christmas story was published in the ‘i’ on 26 December. Take a moment to enjoy by clicking on this link. He also had one of the top Christmas Day slots for his short story on BBC Radio 4 (and three other slots in Christmas week). You can still hear them on BBC Sounds – the perfect treat with a cup of tea and slice of cake.

McCall Smith’s 15-minute stories, each set in a different part of the world, were read by Kelly Macdonald, Thierry Mabonga, Meera Syal, and Adam Courting. Christmas Compass was the overarching title, and as you’d expect from McCall Smith, each story was gentle and humane. They concerned family, emotional changes, all the little things of life. Someone reading you a story well is such a treat, isn’t it? – The Guardian

And, to top it all, you can still listen to his concert with readings, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra,  in a gorgeous programme on BBC Radio 3.