My life in books: I think I’ve learned something from nearly every book I’ve read
Dervla McTiernan: 'When I was a teenager I lived, ate and breathed fantasy.' Picture: Nathalie Marquez Courtney
Cork-born Dervla McTiernan is a former solicitor who now lives in Perth, Australia, where she has established herself as a bestselling crime writer.
Her latest book, , is out now.
Tana French’s , which I am trying desperately not to tear through at top speed. She is just the most extraordinary, inspiring writer.
Stephen King’s . I’ve read it four times. It’s not the obvious book to choose when you need cheering up, but it’s perfect for escape and the writing lifts me up.
Far too many to mention. I’m shameless on this one. If I’m not feeling it I close it and walk away guilt-free.
by Stephen King. At the back of the book he prints a rough draft of a chapter and then shows his hand-written mark-ups of the draft.
It was the first time that I truly understood that writing is a craft, and the first time I felt hope that maybe, with enough work, I could do it.
by Marian Keyes. I have never laughed out loud so many times when reading a book. I read it again a year ago and my God does it stand up. Marian is a genius.
When I was a teenager I lived, ate and breathed fantasy. One of my favourite series was the by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.
In the third book, the character Sturm Brightblade dies and it was so heartbreaking. The first time I read it I wept for an hour. And the second time. And the third time. It was my go-to weepy book.
by Cal Newport. I re-read it every year. It has made me a better writer.
I think I’ve learned something from nearly every book I’ve read but in terms of direct knowledge that I use every day, I’d say .
Book that needs to be written
My next book. I’m on deadline.
I don’t think there’s any one book that everyone should read. We bring our life experience to every book we read and so every book is different for every reader.
My favourite book might leave you cold, and that’s OK. But if I was talking to someone who had never read crime fiction and wanted to try it, I’d recommend Tana French’s , Liz Nugent’s , Jane Harper’s , or Karin Slaughter’s .
If you want crime with a tinge of supernatural, I’d recommend Stephen King’s .
I don’t know that it trumps all others but I thought the adaptation was great.
In Perth, I love Boundless Books in Leederville. When I’m in Dublin I make a beeline for Hodges Figgis and in Galway I go to Dubray or Charlie Byrne’s.
Chaos, to be honest. Books everywhere. Stacks. Old favourites and new favourites and books I didn’t finish and books on my TBR, all mixed up together.
I’m hyper-organised in most areas of my life, but my books are a disaster for some reason.
Tea, always. You can buy Barry’s tea in my local supermarket in Perth now. And Taytos.
Emmy Clifton from Karin Slaughter’s new series. The first book, , was just brilliant and I can’t wait for the second one, which is out soon.
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