Bookcited!: A Libraries NI podcast for all things library

John is an Irish novelist and writer; he is the author of novels for adults, novels for younger readers, novellas, and a collection of short stories. John's historical novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas received critical acclaim and was adapted into a 2008 drama film of the same name.

Jillian and Pete discuss 'Air' which is Libraries NI's Book of the Month for August 2026. The book is available to borrow online (eBook/eAudiobook) and in libraries.

Pete and Jillian are joined by Michael from Ballyhackamore Library to discuss the finer points of the recent popular release ‘Land‘ by Maggie O’Farrell. This fictional all encompassing historical novel based in the west of Ireland offers many talking points and we hope the discussion will encourage listeners to pick up the novel for themselves. 

Join Jillian and Pete as they chat to Louise about the setting of her new novel 'Everything That is Beautiful' and how her own background in sports helped her to write such an engrossing story.

International number one bestselling author Val joins our Jillian for a literary discussion, from her early days visiting the library for books to becoming an alumna of Oxford University and then onto journalism and writing books.

Patricia Forde gives Jillian and Sian some tips to share to listeners, encourage children to read more as well as sharing about her writing life and the importance of representation in Children’s Literature.

Exploring obsession, violence and the human edge of crime fiction. Liverpudlian Luca Veste joins Bookcited! to discuss dark stories and why they matter - as well as analysing the plight of his beloved football team and the joy of playing Glastonbury. 

Jillian and Pete discuss the novel which follows Louisa, an eighteen-year-old aspiring artist aging out of the foster care system after the recent death of her best friend. She comes into possession of a world-famous painting featuring three tiny figures on a pier and story takes off from there.

Avid crime reader Paul Harvey talks to Jillian and Pete about the appeal of reading crime, his famous brother-in-law and which crime writers are his favourites.

Listen as bestselling crime writer Mark Billingham joins Jillian and Pete to reflect on his 25 year writing journey with stories that grip, characters that last and why his Tom Thorne series has endured. 

Join Jillian as she flies solo to interview the legend that is Bernard MacLaverty – his novels have been shortlisted for the Booker Prize and his most recent novel Midwinter Break has just been released as a film starring Ciaran Hinds and Lesley Manville. 

Join us for a Bookcited! conversation with award‑winning narrator Gerard Doyle as we discuss the merits of making books more accessible for all. Jillian and Pete glimpse some behind the scenes snippets about recording an audiobook as they chat with Gerard all the way from New York. 

Here's a taster from Jillian and Pete about the BOTM for June... Three Days by Anne Tyler revolves around three days centred around  events at a family wedding that shake up the lives of the bride’s divorced parents.

Join Jillian and Sian as they chat to Sophie Hayles from the Crescent Arts Centre about the exciting programme for this year’s Belfast Book Festival as well as hearing some behind the scenes anecdotes from past years.

Bethany introduces Jillian and Pete to her new novel ‘Familiar’ – grounded in the natural world of the Co. Down countryside, the peaceful surroundings belie the worlds which are turned upside down by the return of a long lost relative. 

Roisín O’Donnell joins Jillian and Pete on Bookcited for a moving conversation about Nesting, home, and emotional survival. 

Join the legendary children’s author Eoin Colfer as he joins Jillian and Sian to talk about his writing life and how Artemis Fowl became a worldwide phenomenon. 

Join Jillian and Pete as they chat to London author of The Doll Factory, Elizabeth Macneal, about her journey from Managing Consultancy to author and potter, finding the light in the darkness of her own historical novels, and her obsession with researching and writing about the Victorian era.

For May 2026’s Book of the Month Jillian and Pete revisit their interview with the author – who will be appearing at the Belfast Book Festival in June this year. ‘Ordinary Saints’ - Niamh Ni Mhaoilieoin’s debut novel has been nominated for a multitude of awards since its release and we are thrilled to have it as our Book Of The Month across all our Libraries. 

In this episode Jillian and Pete introduce Antrim’s Master of Crime, local author James Murphy.  James talks about his work as cheerleader for the annual National Crime Reading Month every June and about his own crime writing journey  

UK Children’s Laureate author Frank Cottrell Boyce joins Jillian and Sian to explore the National Year of Reading, the magic of stories and why books matter more than ever in a world of endless screen time.

Legendary crime writer Ian Rankin joins Jillian and Pete to explore the evolution of Rebus, the restless spirit of Edinburgh and the soundtrack that fuels his writing.