James by Percival Everett - Our Book of the Month for January 2026

Join Peter and Jillian with the first of the New Year selection for Book of the Month. Here they meet up to discuss James by Percival Everett – shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2025, it is an alternative telling of the classic Huckleberry Finn told from the point of view of James, the runaway slave.

Killing Time with Alan Bennett: Our Book of the Month

Join Jillian and Pete as they dive into our Book of the Month for November 2025 — Killing Time by the incomparable Alan Bennett. 

Book of the Month is The Lost Bookshop

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is the Book of the Month for October - let Jillian and Pete whet your appetite for the story as they discuss everything from faeries to magical buildings, via Dublin and Paris.[Music by Shane M.]

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

Three lives, one magical bookshop, and a story that spans generations — Jillian and Pete explore the charm and mystery of The Lost Bookshop in October’s Book of the Month Bookcited episode.[Music by Shane M.]

Book of the Month is House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

Set primarily in colonial Penang in 1921, The House of Doors is a richly layered historical novel that interweaves personal memory, political upheaval, and literary inspiration. [Music by Shane M.]

Book of the Month for August is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a heart-warming and whimsical debut novel that blends mystery, grief, and unexpected friendship, told partly through the perspective of a giant Pacific octopus!https://www.librariesni.org.uk/browse-read/online-book-club/discussion/august-2025/[Music by Shane M.]

Book of the Month for July 2025 is The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig is a poignant and imaginative novel that blends magical realism with themes of grief, aging, and personal transformation. The story follows Grace Winters, a 72-year-old retired mathematics teacher living a quiet, grief-stricken life in Lincolnshire, England. Since the death of her husband Karl, Grace has been emotionally adrift, spending her days in solitude. Her life takes an unexpected turn.[Music by Shane M.]

Book of the Month for June 2025 is The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier

The Glassmaker is a sweeping historical novel infused with magical realism. It follows Orsola Rosso, a young woman born into a family of glassmakers on the island of Murano, near Venice, in 1486. Despite societal restrictions on women in the craft, Orsola secretly learns to make glass beads, finding both creative fulfilment and financial independence.[Music by Shane M.]

Book of the Month for May 2025 is Butter by Asako Yuzuki

Butter by Asko Yuzuki is the Book of the Month for May and in this episode Jillian, Peter and Conor chat about this and some other popular Japanese fiction that they have been inspired to read recently with the surge in interest in Japanese novels.Music by Shane M.

Libraries NI Book of the Month for April is Donal Ryan’s Heart, be at Peace

Join Peter and Jillian as they chat about the Libraries NI Book of the Month for April. Donal Ryan’s Heart, be at Peace is an award winning novel based around a small town in rural Ireland. Told in polyphonic voices we follow the colourful, intertwined and at times messy lives of the towns people through trials and tribulations culminating in an explosive and dramatic conclusion. No spoilers here though – pick up a copy for yourself from your local NI library or listen online through Libby or BorrowBox, free with Libraries NI.Music by Shane M.