Irish Times Online Bookclub

The Irish Times has launched an online bookclub which features a weekly column, a blog and interaction with the club host, Rosita Boland, via Twitter. The idea is that a book will be chosen each month which will be announced in the books page of the printed newspaper at the end of each month. Initially, the focus will be on novels, mostly newish Irish and international contemporary fiction, including popular novels, but down the line this will be broadened to include non-fiction and suggestions by participants. Rosita Boland will write the blog and hopes that readers will contribute to the discussion over the course of the month. In addition, from time to time she will post links to interesting sites, or audio, or articles about the book being discussed, and also news from the literary world in general. The first book chosen by the bookclub is Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. The blog provides links to an interview with Colm Toibin and photographs of Brooklyn in the 1950s, all of which should enrich the reader’s experience. Later, in February, there will be an opportunity to ask Toibin questions about Brooklyn . Later still, some Irish Times Book Club events are planned at which readers get to meet the author in person, whether at a film screening, a talk or a social gathering. See http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/thebookclub/


(In an exclusive interview for Warwick TV, Yaena Kwon talked to the Irish author Colm Tóibín about his latest novel "Brooklyn" and his personal experiences. Posted on Youtube by WarwickTV)