Whether you love crime writing, short stories, biographies or debut fiction, there’s an event to suit your genre, as well as plenty of inspiration to add to your reading list …
Attend: Dublin Festival of History, which takes place this weekend from September 27 to 29, and includes an eclectic line-up, from Taylor Swift’s love of Irish knitwear to Dublin’s punk wars and scandalous tales from Georgian Dublin. One of the events is “The Haunted Wood: A History of Childhood Reading”, with Sam Leith and Sarah Carey in the main hall at Dublin Castle on Sunday September 29. This explores and discusses the magic of childhood reading, from Aesop’s fables to new classics, and how the stories we read as children are indelible in our memories; a window into our deepest hopes, joys and anxieties. www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie
Remember: The inimitable Maeve Binchy at Echoes Dalkey Literary Festival from October 4 to 6. This includes a double bill of her works, Minding Frankie, adapted for stage by Shay Lineman and a rehearsed reading of Chancery Lane, both on Friday. On Saturday, there will be further readings of Binchy’s work by Lise-Ann McLaughlin while bibliophiles will love the line-up of panellists who will be discussing their own writing. Participants include Oliver Callan, Jan Carson, Liz Nugent and THE GLOSS Books Editor, Edel Coffey. She describes Echoes as “One of the most enjoyable festival I’ve been at and all held in lovely Dalkey Castle.” Edel will be interviewing Cecelia Ahern at the festival on Saturday about her inspirations and characters. www.echoes.ie
Take a trip to: Seamus Heaney’s HomePlace, Co Derry, where authors Christine Dwyer-Hickey and Mary Costello will be in conversation with Jan Carson on October 10. Both writers explore themes of place, relationships and the female experience in their works. The programme of events is excellent at the HomePlace – from book clubs to creative writing workshops as well as special archive screenings of Seamus Heaney and much more. If travelling to attend an event, stay at Ardtara – a gorgeous country house hotel close by, noted for its cuisine and comfort. www.seamusheaneyhome.com
Get a ticket for: Murder One, a must for crime fiction lovers. This festival takes place in LexIcon library in Dun Laoghaire from October 17 to 20. If you’ve ever wanted to publish your own crime thriller there are tips from bestselling author Catherine Ryan Howard as well as how to pitch successfully and secure an agent, plus conversations with writers Jo Spain, Jane Casey, Karen Perry, Claire Coughlin and Clara Dillon. THE GLOSS Books Editor Edel Coffey is talking to Steve Cavanagh on Sunday October 20 at 12pm about creating one of the greatest characters in crime fiction today, Eddie Flynn. www.murderone.ie
Join: The 37th MS Readathon, taking place from November 1 to December 15. Originally launched by Roald Dahl in 1988, the Readathon raises much-needed funds to support people living with MS. Taking part is simple; readers are encouraged to read as many books as possible while seeking sponsorship from family and friends. This year, MS Ireland has introduced personalised QR codes which can be printed or shared digitally, allowing sponsors to donate easily by scanning the code with their phone. Registration is open for everyone, from young readers to lifelong book enthusiasts. As for reading recommendations, follow MS Ireland on social media for suggestions and updates. www.msreadathon.ie
Earmark: Dublin Book Festival, from November 6 to 10. The festival programme includes over 80 events throughout the city and includes literary walking tours, poetry readings, fiction workshops, yoga sessions, mindful meditations, art exhibitions and author talks. Some of the events taking place are as follows: For children, Hannah Gold is hosting a fun, interactive turtle-y event on Sunday November 10 at 2.45pm in the Printworks, Dublin Castle. She will introduce her new adventure Turtle Moon. Perfect for young animal lovers, Hannah will share how you can be a planet superhero too!
Declan Burke will be in conversation with Tana French about her gripping thriller The Hunter, and with Lucy Foley about her new murder mystery, The Midnight Feast, on Saturday November 9 at 4.15pm.
Sinéad Gleeson is in conversation with Paula Shields on Saturday, November 9 at 11am at dlr LexIcon Studio during which Gleeson will discuss her haunting and atmospheric Hagstone novel which explores themes of art, landscape, folklore and the feminine. www.dublinbookfestival.com
For short story lovers: The Art of the Short Story is discussed during the Dublin Book Festival on Saturday November 9, at The Printworks, Dublin Castle. The short story, by its nature, captures and explores brief but significant moments or events in its characters’ lives. Two writers of the genre will discuss their new collections with broadcaster Evelyn O’Rourke. Ahead of the event, why not read Jan Carson’s Quickly, While They Still Have Horses, a sparkling collection of stories encompassing all of life, with suggestions of the other world that will surprise and delight. Mary Costello’s Barcelona is a captivating collection inhabited by characters who live turbulent inner lives, revealing the underlying disquiet of modern life and the sometimes brutal nature of humanity. www.dublinbookfestival.com
Stay and write: Literary travel is on the rise and chimes with one of the major travel trends for 2024 being “transformative travel” – where retreats focus on personal growth. If you are planning to get started on your roman-à-clef, then why not book a writers’ retreat at Rastrello, in Tuscany. Taking place over five nights, from November 22-27, the retreat is led by French Nigerian author and poet Itse Daibo and includes writing workshops with Itse, which will combine instruction, tools to develop your practice, evening readings, and quiet time to write within the beautiful grounds of Rastrello, a 14th-century palazzo. In addition there are guided, daily morning meditation hikes, a private tasting of Rastrello’s own olive oil, a tour of the local village, Panicale, as well as all meals in the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant. Rooms offer meditative views of the nearby Lake Trasimeno. The Rastrello Writer’s Retreat costs €3,000 per person or €1,900 person for two sharing. Complimentary transfers but not flights are included. www.rastrello.com
Read: The Booker Prize shortlist for added brownie points or suggest the shortlist to your book club. As the most influential prize for a single work of fiction the overall prizewinner will be announced on Tuesday November 12; this year’s shortlist is notable as it includes the largest number of women in the Booker’s 55-year history. Held by Anne Michaels; Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner; Orbital by Samantha Harvey; James by Percival Everett; The Safe Keep by Yael van den Wouden; and Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood. Keep up to date with news and reviews; www.thebookerprizes.com.
Go to the Dingle Literary Festival: From November 15 to 17, where Oliver Jeffers, author of Where To Hide A Star, will be participating as well Easkey Britton and many more. www.eventbrite.ie
Peruse: I never need an excuse to visit MoLI – whether for coffee, perusing its excellent gift shop or taking in its permanent collections. On show at the moment is MoLI’s exhibition of the Dublin Writers Museum Collection. Highlights of the collection include Brendan Behan’s typewriter and union membership card, Samuel Beckett‘s telephone from his Paris apartment, Mary Lavin’s childhood teddy bear and much loved amethyst and silver pendant (pictured), Frank O’Connor’s spectacles, Oliver St John Gogarty’s flying goggles and letters from Sean O’Casey, alongside rare editions of works by WB Yeats, Katharine Tynan, Edna O’Brien and Bram Stoker. www.moli.ie
For Oscar Wilde Fans: The Oscar Wilde House, Merrion Square, Dublin, is open at the weekends only from September to April (from 11am to 6pm, €12). This 90-minute tour is a must for fans and recounts the story of the Wilde family in general. Also, worth noting for Wilde scholars (and a lovely literary-inspired gift) is Wilde by Floris London, inspired by Oscar Wilde. It’s an understated yet unmistakeable citrus amber scent layered with a combination of jasmine, ginger and green carnation – a reference to Wilde’s love and affection for Lord Alfred Douglas.
SEE MORE: The Best Books To Read This Autumn
