Looking forward to Book Week NI 19-25 October 2026
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Book Week NI is fast approaching and there are loads of great events planned for all of our Libraries NI branches.
Some highlights for me include the discussion on Monday 19 October at lunchtime between Wendy Erskine, Martin Doyle, Tara West and John Self on (probably) The Greatest Irish Books Ever Written. The tongue in cheek title should prompt some lively conversation as we all know that opinions can never really be objective and there are no right and wrong opinions when it comes to knowing what you like to read.
Martina Devlin will be in Omagh Library on the evening of Tuesday 20 October with Brian McGilloway to introduce her new novel Glorious Monsters which is inspired by the Romantic circle of Mary and Percy Shelley. Donal Ryan will appear in Derry Library on Thursday evening to talk to Pete, co-host of the Bookcited! podcast, about his new novel Where are the Kings.
We are thrilled to have legendary author John Banville (aka Benjamin Black) with us in Armagh City Library at 3:00pm on Thursday 22 October in conversation with Martin Doyle of the Irish 
Times about his writing and in particular his new novel Venetian Vespers. Martin is well experienced in interviewing authors and has his own book out entitled A Hosting – Interviews with Irish Writers 1991-2026 which offers a great insight into the many great authors featured.
I am really looking forward to chatting to award winning crime writer Janice Hallett in Ballyclare Library on Friday 23 October at 2.30pm about her blossoming career and then on Saturday afternoon Carrickfergus Library will host Janice along with fellow crime author Sam Blake who will be discussing The Agatha Christie Effect on crime writing ably compered by Kerry McLean (BBC), a long time Christie afficionado.
And these are just a few of the many events planned for the week – make sure you get a good look at the brochure for the featured events as well as the Libraries NI website with details of all events in your local libraries and give them a call to book your place.
Book Week NI with Libraries NI returns for 2026
We will definitely need a wee sit down after Book Week and I think we can guarantee we will have a great book or two to relax with!
PS Don’t forget to tune into our daily Bookcited! podcast each day too during Book Week NI – we have some great guests planned! Click here to visit Bookcited! or search for Bookcited! wherever you get your podcasts.
