Bookcited!: A Libraries NI podcast for all things library

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.]

Len Pennie – Poyums with a point

Len came to public notice during lockdown with her popular Scots Word of the Day on TikTok which is now into its fifth year! Her passion for the Scots language along with her troubled past have inspired her to write enormously powerful and emotive performance poetry. Her first book of poems ‘Poyums’ recently won her a coveted award as British Discovery Book of the Year. Jillian and Peter chat to Len about her journey so far and her plans for the future.[Music by Shane M.]

Homegrown Crime with Linda Hagan

Join Jillian and Peter as they talk all things crime with Linda, a retired school teacher who has found her second career as an author. She is onto the 9th book in her popular crime series based around Carrickfergus and Belfast featuring Detective Inspector Gawn Girvin.[Music by Shane M.]

Fiction at Queen's University Belfast with Jane O'Neill

Bringing Contemporary Fiction to Campus: A Conversation on Reading, Rest, and Relevance with University Librarian Jane O’Neill from McClay Library at Queens, Belfast as we welcome a new chapter in Student Wellbeing.[Music by Shane M.]

Agatha Christie and our Appetite for Crime with Mark Aldridge

Mark Aldridge – a renowned Agatha Christie Historian – joins Jillian and Pete in this episode to talk about Agatha, her life, her writing and the lasting appeal of her novels – as well as divulging some little known facts about the Queen of Crime!
[Music by Shane M.]

Love and Laughter with Emma Heatherington

Join Emma as she chats to Jillian and Peter, sharing all about her writing journey as well as giving a health update following her recent diagnosis. Listen as she shares how she continues to write the captivating romances which she is well known for, whilst inspiring readers, juggling family and managing health challenges.[Music by Shane M.]

Staycation - Travel the World in Books

Stuck at home this year? At least the weather has been kind this summer and you can join Jillian and Peter as they travel the world in books from the UK to Italy, and the US to Cyprus. Get the Factor 50 on and retire to the garden for some dedicated reading time.[Music by Shane M.]

Puzzling Crimes with Janice Hallett

Everyone loves a puzzle! Join Jillian and Peter as author Janice Hallett talks about her unusual novels which challenge readers with the opportunity to piece together mysteries for themselves. Check Out The Examiner – her most recent novel.[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.]

Penguins, Penguins Everywhere – introducing Hazel Prior

With penguins and the Antarctic being in the news recently Hazel Prior takes time out to let Jillian and Peter into the secrets behind her trilogy of ‘penguin’ novels featuring the formidable Veronica McCreedy. [Music by Shane M.]

Interview with Shelby Van Pelt, author of that Octopus book!

Exclusive interview with Shelby Van Pelt, author of our Book of the Month Remarkably Bright Creatures. Shelby talks to Pete about escaping octopus’s, writing and the healing effect that reading can have.

Irish writer and author Joseph O’Connor

Jillian and Peter have the pleasure of chatting to the bestselling author Joseph O’Connor! They talk about the writing of his acclaimed new trilogy featuring the Vatican, the Resistance and the Rome Escape Line during WW2, as well as the need for comprehensive research for the books with extended stays in Rome – well, someone has to do it!! [Photograph - (c) Urszula Soltys. Music by Shane M.]

In Time for Pride – Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin

Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin is the author of the debut sensation that is her novel Ordinary Saints. Based in both Dublin and London the novel explores what can happen as the Church, grief, and queerness collide within a family. Niamh talks to Jillian and Peter about her writing process, bringing her characters to life on the page and how long-distance running helps.[Music by Shane M.]

Best Recent Irish Fiction selection with Eimear McGovern

Journalist Eimear McGovern reviews some Irish Fiction that has caught her eye recently. From Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell to The City Changes its Face by Eimear McBride via Long Island (Colm Toibin) and Wild Houses (Colin Barrett) she shares her thoughts on each with Jillian and Peter.[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.]

Sean Duffy Rides Again – spotlighting Adrian McKinty

Carrickfergus author Adrian McKinty has lived abroad for a long time but enjoys revisiting his youth vicariously through the series he created featuring his alter ego Sean Duffy, an RUC Detective Inspector based in Carrick CID during the 1980’s.He joins Peter and Jillian for an entertaining chat around the ups and down of his writing life, writer's block, music (specifically Tom Waits and Dolly Parton), along with many other interesting tangents, rants and some bad jokes! Hang On St Christopher is the latest instalment of the Sean Duffy series and the added bonus of the prequel to the whole series - God’s Away on Business.[Music by Shane M.]

Capturing Medieval Mayhem in Fiction with Tim Hodkinson

Tim Hodkinson talks to Jillian and Peter about how his childhood passion for the Vikings and the Normans lead him into studying  Medieval History and ultimately into fictionalising stories based around that era. Old Norse, Medieval English and Celtic civilization all feature in his novels with ‘Sword of the War God’ and ‘Eye of the Raven’ being the latest in a string of his recent publications.[Music by Shane M.]

Books in Translation Recommendations

Some of our favourite books are translations and Jillian and Peter take the opportunity to share some of their best reading recommendations of translated fiction. [Music by Shane M.]

Lost in Translation – Clara Ministral

Clara Ministral from Madrid is a literary translator and takes time out to share with Jillian and Peter the intricacies of her job and the skills it takes to translate novels by some of most well known local authors including Jan Carson, Louise Kennedy and Colin Bateman.[Music by Shane M.]

Interview with Anthony Horowitz

Bestselling author Anthony Horowitz gets personal with Peter and Jillian—talking about how a tough childhood shaped his storytelling, writing for kids and grownups, and what it’s like adapting his books for TV with his wife, producer Jill Green.[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.]

Making Poetry Accessible in a Digital World with Brian Bilston

Ever wondered how a poet goes viral? Brian Bilston—aka the "Banksy of Poetry"—shares how posting witty verse during lockdown turned into sold-out shows, published books, and even a musical album! Tune in as he chats with Peter and Jillian about humour, humanity, and how poems can help us make sense of the madness.Music by Shane M.