Latest news with #BookshelfPodcast
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Taoiseach told poking fun at himself in interview with Ryan Tubridy might go down well
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was told he should only talk about things he was 'comfortable with' but that poking fun at himself might go down well ahead of an interview with Ryan Tubridy. Mr Martin was sent a two-page document on what to expect when he appeared on the Bookshelf podcast, where the Fianna Fáil leader talked about his love of the Biggles adventure books, author Colum McCann, and a history book on aviator Charles Lindbergh. Advertisement In preparation for the interview, the Taoiseach was told the final question would be 'the name of the autobiography' he was yet to write. A briefing document said: 'If you have never written an autobiography, you can talk about that at face value. [Or] you can go down a completely different road of the autobiography you would love to write but would get into too much trouble if you did. '[Or] a light-hearted observation on your life that would be [a] little tongue-in-cheek, poking fun at yourself. It's completely open to what you're comfortable with.' Mr Tubridy's team said they were looking for the Taoiseach to bring actual copies of the books he wanted to speak about but that copies of them could be sourced if needed. Advertisement They planned to start with books Mr Martin read as a child, which Tubridy said would lead into a conversation on 'childhood in general.' The former RTÉ star said he would ask about the book that 'brought you joy or made you laugh.' The briefing document said: 'This creates a space for happy stories to be shared. We are offering scope for two trains of thought here.' The document said it could lead into a discussion on either 'joy' or 'laughter'. It said: 'What was it about this book that made you laugh? What type of humour resonates with you?' The podcast would then move on to the book that changed the Taoiseach's life. Mr Tubridy's briefing document said: 'Again, this one can go absolutely ANYWHERE! 'Previous guests that are authors have gone with their own book as a career turning point and talked about that. 'Other guests have leaned towards spiritual and self help or healing books that had huge impact. We have also delved into books that sparked a passion or an idea in them.'
Extra.ie
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
What is Dr Katriona O'Sullivan's upcoming book about?
Award-winning lecturer at Trinity College Dublin and bestselling author Dr Katriona O'Sullivan has revealed she is in the process of writing a second biographical book. Dr O'Sullivan's memoir, Poor, was released in May 2023, debuting at number 1 on the Irish Non-fiction bestsellers list where it remained for more than a year. Poor tells the story of how Dr O'Sullivan turned her life around after growing up surrounded by poverty, drug addiction and sexual abuse. Award-winning lecturer at Trinity College Dublin and bestselling author Dr Katriona O'Sullivan has revealed she is in the process of writing a second biography. Pic: Bookshelf Podcast/ Instagram At 15, O'Sullivan fell pregnant with her first child, entered homelessness and suffered with alcohol addiction herself. Her novel details how with the help of a number of academic figures, she was able to beat the odds, eventually receiving a PhD from Trinity College Dublin where she still teaches Psychology. The author and lecturer has now revealed that she is 30,000 words into her next book, which is a biography about her body, titled Hunger. Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on his podcast, The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy, O'Sullivan made the revelation after Tubridy asked what the name of her next memoir would be. 'I'm writing a second one[autobiography],' she revealed, 'I'm writing a book and it's called Hungry. It's actually a biography of my body and the things that I have been through as a woman. 'It talks about how women like me, poor women particularly or women who are traumatised, how we're driven to be skinny and the things that we do in pursuit of that.' Dr O'Sullivan detailed that it included gastric bands and gastric surgeries.' 'So there's that but it's also, it's hungry for recognition and connection,' she told Ryan, 'It's about my experiences; the hunger I've had and the things that I've done to achieve lots of different things — some that weren't very helpful and some that have been really helpful.' Asked when eager fans could expect to see the book on shelves, Dr O'Sullivan confirmed March 2026. 'I'm 30,000 words in and I'm really enjoying it actually but it's hard because it's a different type of story,' she shared.
