Olivia Fitzsimons talks about Hans Christian Andersen, Raymond Carver, Donna Tartt, and echoes through time as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire.  Olivia Fitzsimons is an award-winning short story writer whose debut novel, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop, is out now with John Murray.

Olivia Fitzsimons talks about Hans Christian Andersen, Raymond Carver, Donna Tartt, and echoes through time as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire. Olivia Fitzsimons is an award-winning short story writer whose debut novel, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop, is out now with John Murray.

16: Olivia Fitzsimons

Join Ruth McKee from Friday 13th May when she’ll be talking with author Olivia Fitzsimons to discover which books she would save if her house was on fire. Olivia Fitzsimons’ debut novel The Quiet Whispers Never Stop is out now with John Murray.

Join Ruth McKee from Friday 13th May when she’ll be talking with author Olivia Fitzsimons to discover which books she would save if her house was on fire. Olivia Fitzsimons’ debut novel The Quiet Whispers Never Stop is out now with John Murray.

15: Trailer - Olivia Fitzsimons

Laura McVeigh talks about Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, reading in translation, and Ways of Seeing by John Berger as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire.   Laura McVeigh’s debut novel Two Roads was published by John Murray Press in 2017. Her new book Lenny (New Island) is a magical tale of family, loss and the redemptive power of the imagination to heal and survive.

Laura McVeigh talks about Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, reading in translation, and Ways of Seeing by John Berger as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire.  Laura McVeigh’s debut novel Two Roads was published by John Murray Press in 2017. Her new book Lenny (New Island) is a magical tale of family, loss and the redemptive power of the imagination to heal and survive.

14: Laura McVeigh

Join Ruth McKee from Friday 1st April when she will be talking with author Laura McVeigh to find out which books she would save if her house was on fire. Laura McVeigh’s new novel, Lenny, is out now with New Island.

Join Ruth McKee from Friday 1st April when she will be talking with author Laura McVeigh to find out which books she would save if her house was on fire. Laura McVeigh’s new novel, Lenny, is out now with New Island.

13: Trailer - Laura McVeigh

Audrey Magee talks about the transformative work of Marguerite Duras, her love of theatre, language and the stillness she needs to write, as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire.    Audrey Magee’s first novel, The Undertaking, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and for France’s Festival du Premier Roman. Sarah Moss describes her new novel, The Colony (Faber) as “a vivid and memorable book about art, youth, love and sex, land and language.”

Audrey Magee talks about the transformative work of Marguerite Duras, her love of theatre, language and the stillness she needs to write, as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire.  Audrey Magee’s first novel, The Undertaking, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and for France’s Festival du Premier Roman. Sarah Moss describes her new novel, The Colony (Faber) as “a vivid and memorable book about art, youth, love and sex, land and language.”

12: Audrey Magee

Join Ruth McKee from Friday 4th February, when she will be talking with author Audrey Magee to find out which books she would save if her house was on fire. Audrey Magee’s new novel, The Colony, is out now with Faber.

Join Ruth McKee from Friday 4th February, when she will be talking with author Audrey Magee to find out which books she would save if her house was on fire. Audrey Magee’s new novel, The Colony, is out now with Faber.

Trailer - Audrey Magee

Wendy Erskine

Author Wendy Erskine talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Molly Keane’s Good Behaviour, Ian Hunter’s Diary of a Rock and Roll Star and how reading a book when you’re twenty is very different to encountering it at fifty—as she reveals which books she would save if her house was on fire.   Wendy Erskine’s first short story collection, Sweet Home, was published by The Stinging Fly Press in Sept 2018, and Picador in 2019. Her new collection Dance Move will be published by Picador in February 2022.

Author Wendy Erskine talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Molly Keane’s Good Behaviour, Ian Hunter’s Diary of a Rock and Roll Star and how reading a book when you’re twenty is very different to encountering it at fifty—as she reveals which books she would save if her house was on fire. Wendy Erskine’s first short story collection, Sweet Home, was published by The Stinging Fly Press in Sept 2018, and Picador in 2019. Her new collection Dance Move will be published by Picador in February 2022.

11: Wendy Erskine

Author Wendy Erskine talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Molly Keane’s Good Behaviour, Ian Hunter’s Diary of a Rock and Roll Star and how reading a book when you’re twenty is very different to encountering it at fifty—as she reveals which books she would save if her house was on fire. From Friday 17th December, wherever you get your podcasts.

Author Wendy Erskine talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Molly Keane’s Good Behaviour, Ian Hunter’s Diary of a Rock and Roll Star and how reading a book when you’re twenty is very different to encountering it at fifty—as she reveals which books she would save if her house was on fire. From Friday 17th December, wherever you get your podcasts.

Trailer - Wendy Erskine

Donal Ryan

Author Donal Ryan talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about empathy, the mystery at the heart of writing, Doris Lessing, and having a crush on Sylvia Plath—as he reveals which books he would save if his house was on fire.  Donal Ryan is an acclaimed Irish novelist and short story writer, with best-selling books including The Spinning Heart (2012), which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, The Thing About December (2013), All We Shall Know (2016), and Strange Flowers (2020). He is the first Irish winner of the prestigious Jean Monnet Prize for European Literature for his fifth novel, From A Low And Quiet Sea (2018).

Author Donal Ryan talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about empathy, the mystery at the heart of writing, Doris Lessing, and having a crush on Sylvia Plath—as he reveals which books he would save if his house was on fire. Donal Ryan is an acclaimed Irish novelist and short story writer, with best-selling books including The Spinning Heart (2012), which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, The Thing About December (2013), All We Shall Know (2016), and Strange Flowers (2020). He is the first Irish winner of the prestigious Jean Monnet Prize for European Literature for his fifth novel, From A Low And Quiet Sea (2018).

9: Donal Ryan

Author Donal Ryan talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about empathy, the mystery at the heart of writing, Doris Lessing, and having a crush on Sylvia Plath—as he reveals which books he would save if his house was on fire. From Friday 26th November, wherever you get your podcasts.

Author Donal Ryan talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about empathy, the mystery at the heart of writing, Doris Lessing, and having a crush on Sylvia Plath—as he reveals which books he would save if his house was on fire. From Friday 26th November, wherever you get your podcasts.

Trailer - Donal Ryan

If your house was on fire, what books would you save from the flames? The Books Ireland podcast features authors and well-known cultural figures discussing the titles that have formed the backdrop to their lives—their childhood memories perhaps, or books they fell in love with. Maybe there are authors they return to over and over, or novels which formed their world view—stories that shaped them or books which offered a refuge or a life raft. Editor Ruth McKee asks each guest which books they’d save, which they’d leave behind, and what other non-book treasure they would rescue from the flames.

Nuala O’Connor talks about miniature dolls, the beauty of short things, quitting alcohol and clearing the decks at fifty as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire.   Nuala O’Connor is the author of Becoming Belle (2018), Miss Emily (2015), The Closet of Savage Mementos (2014), You (2010) and six short story collections, her most recent being Joyride to Jupiter. Her fifth novel Nora is about Nora Barnacle, wife and muse to James Joyce, published in Ireland in April 2021 with New Island, and is the One Dublin One Book for 2022.

Nuala O’Connor talks about miniature dolls, the beauty of short things, quitting alcohol and clearing the decks at fifty as she tells Ruth McKee which books she would save if her house was on fire.  Nuala O’Connor is the author of Becoming Belle (2018), Miss Emily (2015), The Closet of Savage Mementos (2014), You (2010) and six short story collections, her most recent being Joyride to Jupiter. Her fifth novel Nora is about Nora Barnacle, wife and muse to James Joyce, published in Ireland in April 2021 with New Island, and is the One Dublin One Book for 2022.

8: Nuala O’Connor 

Author Nuala O’Connor talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about miniature dolls, the beauty of short things, quitting alcohol and clearing the decks at fifty in the next episode of Burning Books, out on Friday 12th November on all podcast platforms.

Author Nuala O’Connor talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about miniature dolls, the beauty of short things, quitting alcohol and clearing the decks at fifty in the next episode of Burning Books, out on Friday 12th November on all podcast platforms.

Trailer - Nuala O’Connor

Novelist and short-story writer Kit de Waal talks to Ruth McKee about The Bible, Donal Ryan, Penguin classics, the sea and much more as she reveals what books she would save if her house was burning, and which text she studied at school she’d leave in there to burn…  Kit de Waal’s debut novel My Name is Leon was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and her second, The Trick To Time was longlisted for the Women’s Prize For Fiction. She’s the author of the young adult book Becoming Dinah and is the editor of Common People, an anthology of working-class writers.

Novelist and short-story writer Kit de Waal talks to Ruth McKee about The Bible, Donal Ryan, Penguin classics, the sea and much more as she reveals what books she would save if her house was burning, and which text she studied at school she’d leave in there to burn… Kit de Waal’s debut novel My Name is Leon was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and her second, The Trick To Time was longlisted for the Women’s Prize For Fiction. She’s the author of the young adult book Becoming Dinah and is the editor of Common People, an anthology of working-class writers.

7: Kit de Waal 

Novelist and short-story writer Kit de Waal talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Donal Ryan, Penguin classics, revenge, the sea and much more for the next episode of Burning Books, released on Friday 24th September on all podcast platforms.

Novelist and short-story writer Kit de Waal talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Donal Ryan, Penguin classics, revenge, the sea and much more for the next episode of Burning Books, released on Friday 24th September on all podcast platforms.

Trailer - Kit de Waal

Ethel Rohan

Ethel Rohan talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Emily Brontë, John Irving, and Elizabeth Strout as she reveals which books she would pull from the flames (and which classic Irish text she would leave in there to burn!).  Ethel Rohan is the award winning author of The Weight of Him (St. Martin’s Press and Atlantic Books, 2017) and of the new short story collection, In the Event of Contact (Dzanc Books 2021), described as “a taut and melancholy meditation on human (dis)connection in overlooked places and among underseen people.” —Sally Franson, San Francisco Chronicle

Ethel Rohan talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about Emily Brontë, John Irving, and Elizabeth Strout as she reveals which books she would pull from the flames (and which classic Irish text she would leave in there to burn!). Ethel Rohan is the award winning author of The Weight of Him (St. Martin’s Press and Atlantic Books, 2017) and of the new short story collection, In the Event of Contact (Dzanc Books 2021), described as “a taut and melancholy meditation on human (dis)connection in overlooked places and among underseen people.” —Sally Franson, San Francisco Chronicle

5: Ethel Rohan

Rick O'Shea

Rick O’Shea talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about a precious edition, his love of art, and Yoko Ono as he reveals what books he would save from the flames (and if he’d leave any behind to burn).   Rick O’Shea is a man of many talents, but is best known as a radio presenter on RTÉ and as the founder of the much loved Rick O’Shea Book Club.

Rick O’Shea talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about a precious edition, his love of art, and Yoko Ono as he reveals what books he would save from the flames (and if he’d leave any behind to burn). Rick O’Shea is a man of many talents, but is best known as a radio presenter on RTÉ and as the founder of the much loved Rick O’Shea Book Club.

4: Rick O'Shea

Patrick Freyne

What books would you save if your house was on fire?Patrick Freyne talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about comics, clutter, music and much more as he reveals what books he would save from the flames (and which he’d happily leave to burn). Patrick Freyne is a short story writer, essayist, and feature writer with The Irish Times. His latest book Ok, Let’s Do Your Stupid Idea is published by Penguin.

What books would you save if your house was on fire? Patrick Freyne talks to Books Ireland editor Ruth McKee about comics, clutter, music and much more as he reveals what books he would save from the flames (and which he’d happily leave to burn). Patrick Freyne is a short story writer, essayist, and feature writer with The Irish Times. His latest book Ok, Let’s Do Your Stupid Idea is published by Penguin.

3: Patrick Freyne

Jan Carson

What books would you save if your house was on fire? Books Ireland Editor Ruth McKee asks Jan Carson about growing up in Co. Antrim, religious hardwiring, magic realism and much more as she reveals the books she would pull from the flames—and the ones she’d leave behind.    Jan Carson is the author of Malcom Orange Disappears, Children’s Children, Postcard Stories (The Emma Press) and The Fire Starters (Penguin) which won the European Prize for Literature. Her latest book The Last Resort has just been published with Doubleday Ireland.

What books would you save if your house was on fire? Books Ireland Editor Ruth McKee asks Jan Carson about growing up in Co. Antrim, religious hardwiring, magic realism and much more as she reveals the books she would pull from the flames—and the ones she’d leave behind.  Jan Carson is the author of Malcom Orange Disappears, Children’s Children, <a href="https://theemmapress.com/shop/postcard-stories/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Postcard Stories</a> (The Emma Press) and <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1115876/the-fire-starters/9781784163846.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Fire Starters</a> (Penguin) which won the European Prize for Literature. Her latest book <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/144/1445060/the-last-resort/9781781620618.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Last Resort</a> has just been published with Doubleday Ireland.

2: Jan Carson

If your house was on fire, what books would you save from the flames?  The Books Ireland podcast features authors and well-known cultural figures discussing the titles that have formed the backdrop to their lives—their childhood memories perhaps, or books they fell in love with. Maybe there are authors they return to over and over, or novels which formed their world view—stories that shaped them or books which offered a refuge or a life raft. Editor Ruth McKee asks each guest which books they’d save, which they’d leave behind, and what other non-book treasure they would rescue from the flames.

If your house was on fire, what books would you save from the flames?    The Books Ireland podcast features authors and well-known cultural figures discussing the titles that have formed the backdrop to their lives—their childhood memories perhaps, or books they fell in love with. Maybe there are authors they return to over and over, or novels which formed their world view—stories that shaped them or books which offered a refuge or a life raft. Editor Ruth McKee asks each guest which books they’d save, which they’d leave behind, and what other non-book treasure they would rescue from the flames.

Trailer

If your house was on fire, what books would you save from the flames?  The Books Ireland podcast features authors and well-known cultural figures discussing the titles that have formed the backdrop to their lives—their childhood memories perhaps, or books they fell in love with. Maybe there are authors they return to over and over, or novels which formed their world view—stories that shaped them or books which offered a refuge or a life raft. Editor Ruth McKee asks each guest which books they’d save, which they’d leave behind, and what other non-book treasure they would rescue from the flames.

Burning Books Ireland

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