Tag: Short Story Collections

Contemplation, On Reading, Writers Read, Writing Life

Brevity and Letting Words Sit

I was delighted to be able to attend a number of literary events recently – it’s not often that I am in a position to do so – and whilst in Strokestown for the Strokestown International Poetry Festival and in Maynooth Bookshop for Mary O’Donnell’s launch, I picked up some gems of poetry and short story collections.

Photograph showing the covers of the seven books listed below

As a predominantly long-form prose writer, I treasure the chance of brevity, beauty, and letting words sit for a while. Here’s my reading list:

  • Nuala O’Connor Menagerie (Arlen House) – poetry
  • Vona Groarke Infinity Pool (Gallery Press) – poetry
  • Mary O’Donnell Walking Ghosts (Mercier Press) – short story collection
  • Alan Hayes and Nuala O’Connor (eds) Washing Windows V (Arlen House) – poetry (by 303 poets – and I’m delighted to have a poem in here!)
  • Celia de Fréine Even Still (Arlen House) – short story
  • Noelle Lynskey Featherweight (Arlen House) – poetry
  • Eilish Martin ! All’arme/? And what…if not (Macha Press) – poetry (stunning art work and production)