The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy

Ryan recommends The Weight of Angels by his good friend and former Bookshelf guest John Boyne, one of his favourite writers. This imaginative novel explores what might have happened if Oscar Wilde had lived a longer life, writing more plays, campaigning for gay rights, and crossing paths with figures including Winston Churchill and W.B. Yeats.
Funny, witty, and epic, it’s a book Ryan describes as magnificent and highly recommends.

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Joe Duffy is one of Ireland’s best-known broadcasters and authors. He presented Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 for 27 years. His award-winning books include Children of the Rising and Children of the Troubles. His new memoir, Talk to Joe: Life, Liveline and Me, is available now and reflects on his broadcasting career and the stories that shaped modern Ireland.

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Ryan recommends The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, a beautifully observed story about a man whose life is quietly falling apart. With relatable characters, touching conversations, and a gentle exploration of middle age and beyond, it’s a short, thoughtful read that Ryan particularly enjoyed.

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Neil Jordan is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and novelist. His films include Michael Collins, Interview with the Vampire, and The Crying Game, for which he won Best Original Screenplay in 1993. His books include the Guardian Fiction Prize-winning Night in Tunisia and the memoir Amnesiac. His latest novel, The Library of Traumatic Memory, is available now.

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Ryan recommends The Castle by Jon Ronson, a fascinating exploration of the men who find themselves drawn to particular corners of YouTube and the internet. Looking at communities across America affected by economic decline, Ronson examines why these men feel left behind and where they turn for connection. A smart, nuanced, and thought-provoking read.

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