Books
Fake Accounts: A mischievous satire for the social media age
Lauren Oyler’s debut novel is a sharply funny take on a thoroughly modern protagonist whose life is conducted through the lens of social media
Who Was Responsible for the Troubles?: A critical analysis of the IRA’s leading role in the conflict
Liam Kennedy lists a number of possible culprits for the ‘long war’ in the North, including the Irish state and the main churches, but the IRA tops the list
The Muslim Problem: A convincing and cogent analysis of Islamic identity
Human rights activist Tawseef Khan’s new book is an examination of the challenges Muslims face in an often deeply hostile world
Think Again: Why changing your mind is often the clever thing to do
Adam Grant argues that only the complacent and self-satisfied are entirely consistent
Megan Nolan interview: A relationship with writing
The intensely confessional writer has drawn high praise for her debut novel, Acts of Desperation, which deals with the ‘emotional minutiae’ of relationships
Roisin Kiberd: ‘It might not be love that keeps us typing. It might be mutual boredom, or loneliness’
In an extract from her powerful new book The Disconnect, the Irish author writes about the internet and its shadowy role in shaping her relationships
Stardust Baby: A young life scarred by tragedy
Honest and unvarnished memoir by a child orphaned after the infamous nightclub fire
America in Retreat: How the US let China get ahead in the race for world domination
A lucid and succinct chronicle of the US’s decline in status as world leader and the rise of China to take its place
Read all about it at Fonsie Mealy’s collectors’ sale
Poems by Leonard Cohen, Harry Potter first editions and a Civil War journal are among the treasures to be found
Online book sale at Crawford Art Gallery
Selected volumes will be included in the offer for three months
The Dark Room: A west Cork thriller with twists, turns and things that go bump in the night
Sam Blake ramps up the tension in this page-turning murder mystery as Rachel and Caroline, the only residents in a remote hotel, investigate a decades-old suicide and a recent disappearance
Susan O’Keeffe: A self-appointed saviour is not the answer to climate change
With his energy, ideas and financial clout, Bill Gates has lots to offer but this complex problem will need a vast array of responses led by democratic routes
All the world’s a page in De Búrca Rare Books catalogue
The bookseller’s latest catalogue contains dozens of treasures for lovers of vintage titles
Back to the future: Mark O’Connell interview
His first two books, To Be a Machine and Notes from an Apocalypse, have set him apart as one of the foremost thinkers and writers of his time. Here, the author talks transhumanism, doomsday preppers and billionaire bunkers.
Hidden Lies: A debut Irish thriller is a qualified success
Rachel Ryan’s first novel has a number of weaknesses, but is carried by a strikingly original plot and strong characterisation
Lessons from the lockdown
Most of us are struggling with the rolling lockdowns, the latest of which has turned the darkest part of the year into an even more dreary experience than usual. John O’Regan, a secondary school teacher at Bandon Grammar in Bandon, Co Cork, describes his journey through these very difficult times
Radio and theatre: Edna O’Brien sheds light on the ‘dangerous’ vocation of writing
The legendary Irish novelist celebrated her 90th birthday by delivering the annual TS Eliot lecture for the Abbey Theatre, online from the Irish embassy in London
Doireann Ni Ghriofa: ‘I don’t think we have anything to fear from the kingdom of the dead’
The bilingual poet’s book of prose A Ghost In The Throat – which won Irish Book of the Year at the An Post Book Awards – sees past and present, and the worlds of the dead and the living, circle and echo each other endlessly
2020: the year in culture
In a Magazine special, we pick out the best television shows, films, podcasts, videogames, audiobooks and albums of 2020
Think Like a Monk: Dig deep for Shetty’s profound thoughts
Jay Shetty’s insights into training our minds and living positively are genuinely helpful, but first you have get past the self publicity, social media plugs and celebrity endorsements