Bookcited!: A Libraries NI podcast for all things library
Arts & Culture Podcasts
Welcome to Bookcited!, your go-to podcast for all things library! Join us each week as we delve into the vibrant world of books, authors and the stories that shape our lives. From in-depth discussions on the latest literary trends and book to screen adaptions to interviews with standout authors, Bookcited! is where literature comes alive. In each episode our passionate library staff tackle a range of topics, spotlight hidden gems, and engage with cherished classics – all while enjoying relaxed and insightful conversations with guests. Whether you’re an avid reader or just beginning your literary journey, Bookcited! offers a welcoming space for everyone to connect and share their love for books. Tune in to discover new perspectives, expand your reading list, and join our community of fellow literary enthusiasts. Get ready to ignite your passion for reading – let’s get Bookcited!
Location:
United Kingdom
Genres:
Arts & Culture Podcasts
Description:
Welcome to Bookcited!, your go-to podcast for all things library! Join us each week as we delve into the vibrant world of books, authors and the stories that shape our lives. From in-depth discussions on the latest literary trends and book to screen adaptions to interviews with standout authors, Bookcited! is where literature comes alive. In each episode our passionate library staff tackle a range of topics, spotlight hidden gems, and engage with cherished classics – all while enjoying relaxed and insightful conversations with guests. Whether you’re an avid reader or just beginning your literary journey, Bookcited! offers a welcoming space for everyone to connect and share their love for books. Tune in to discover new perspectives, expand your reading list, and join our community of fellow literary enthusiasts. Get ready to ignite your passion for reading – let’s get Bookcited!
Twitter:
@librariesni
Language:
English
Website:
https://www.librariesni.org.uk/
Episodes
Grief, ghosts, and Galway with Elaine Feeney
10/3/2025
Dark humour, family secrets, and fierce storytelling as Elaine lets us go mad in our own way! Jillian and Pete talk to her about her new book set in her home turf of Athenry, Galway. Rich with history and drama, Elaine brings the story to life in her own imitable way. [Photo of Elaine Feeney, credit: Julia Dunin Photography; Music by Shane M.]
Duration:00:29:37
From Vera to Shetland - Author Ann Cleeves
9/26/2025
How a charity shop book led to Vera and Shetland. Peter and Jillian chat with crime queen Ann Cleeves about the lucky find that launched a TV empire, her love of coastal communities, and the stories behind the stories! [Music by Shane M.]
Duration:00:24:08
Book of the Month is House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
9/24/2025
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.]
Duration:00:08:15
Len Pennie – Poyums with a point
9/19/2025
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.]
Duration:00:25:58
Homegrown Crime with Linda Hagan
9/17/2025
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.]
Duration:00:21:55
Fiction at Queen's University Belfast with Jane O'Neill
9/12/2025
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.]
Duration:00:18:02
Agatha Christie and our Appetite for Crime with Mark Aldridge
9/5/2025
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.]
Duration:00:27:14
Love and Laughter with Emma Heatherington
8/29/2025
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.]
Duration:00:35:37
Staycation - Travel the World in Books
8/22/2025
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. Slap on the Factor 50 and retire to the garden for some dedicated reading time. [Music by Shane M.]
Duration:00:18:22
Puzzling Crimes with Janice Hallett
8/15/2025
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.]
Duration:00:22:45
Book of the Month for August is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
8/13/2025
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.]
Duration:00:06:27
Penguins, Penguins Everywhere – introducing Hazel Prior
8/8/2025
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.]
Duration:00:21:02
Interview with Shelby Van Pelt, author of that Octopus book!
8/6/2025
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.
Duration:00:22:23
Irish writer and author Joseph O’Connor
8/1/2025
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!! [Music by Shane M.]
Duration:00:27:21
In Time for Pride – Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin
7/25/2025
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.]
Duration:00:17:13
Best Recent Irish Fiction selection with Eimear McGovern
7/18/2025
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.]
Duration:00:26:34
Book of the Month for July 2025 is The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
7/16/2025
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.]
Duration:00:07:59
Sean Duffy Rides Again – spotlighting Adrian McKinty
7/11/2025
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, writers 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.]
Duration:00:34:36
Capturing Medieval Mayhem in Fiction with Tim Hodkinson
7/4/2025
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.]
Duration:00:20:23
Books in Translation Recommendations
6/27/2025
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.]
Duration:00:19:53