This week, as the media talks about mental health, as big institutions make sure the topic is broached, why not try broaching it yourself in some small, gentle way, and see how your life is improved by this one step, writes Joyce Fegan

My uncle married my aunt-in-law when I was very young. I was six and a half. The half is important when you’re that age.

Like a lot of podcast genres — and browsing a bookshop — when it comes to book shows, it’s about finding what suits you.

Des O'Driscoll shares the latest from the entertainment world

Des O'Driscoll has you covered on things to do this week.

There is a misunderstanding that actors want to be famous, says Clelia Murphy, who stars in the stage adaptation of Light a Penny Candle, Maeve Binchy’s first novel, published in 1982.

Here's your morning bulletin.

Ahead of ECHOES, a three-day event at Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre (October 5-7) to celebrate the work of Maeve Binchy and other Irish writers, Helen O’Callaghan asks six authors about their favourite Binchy book and her influence.

Young women stand up and fight — that is the rousing cry of barrister and owner of Lissadell House, Constance Cassidy.

Despite subject matter that includes cancer and alcoholism, this stage adaptation will leave you smiling, writes Colette Sheridan

Daniel Binchy, Ireland’s ambassador to the Weimer Republic, once described Adolf Hitler as a ‘harmless lunatic’ but one of the country’s most perceptive and insightful intellectuals was not fooled for long, as Ryle Dwyer notes.

A former tánaiste says she believes it is very damaging for Ireland’s international reputation that we haven’t succeeded in forming another government.

An oasis of peace on a Greek island proved the perfect environment for Claire Droney to practice her writing skills tutored by a Man Booker author. 

THERE’S a journalist in Elizabeth Day’s new novel.

A Delicate Wildness: The Life and Loves of David Thomson 1914-1988

Readers here had austerity on their minds last year with Strumpet City the most borrowed book of adult fiction from public libraries, figures show.

The Pepperstack Bistro at Rosie’s Bar in Lower Aghada, Co Cork is a bistro like Paul O’Connell is a rugby player, like Graham Norton is an entertainer. 

THE Sound of Things Falling by Colombian author, Juan Gabriel Vásquez, translated from Spanish by Canadian Anne McLean, is the winner of the 2014 International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award and €100,000 — but how do awards affect the winners — and the losers? Do they really matter?

CLAUDIA CARROLL is a born storyteller, whether on stage or screen, as a novelist or in person with anecdotes of pals’ romantic entanglements and stories of love gone awry.

IT STRUCK a sensitive nerve when the poet WJ Mc Cormack, aka Hugh Maxton, this week defended Aosdána’s annual funding of €2.7 million by mentioning that Fair City cost €11 million. This fact was met, according to an RTÉ report, with laughter from the floor of Aosdána’s general assembly meeting at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.

From religious tomes to best-selling novels and personal faves, Mark Evans wants you to get voting.

Author Maeve Binchy left a third of her multi-million fortune to charities, friends and a golf club, it has been revealed.

Joanne Harris

The shortlists for “the biggest celebration of Irish writing” was announced yesterday.

I love to travel and discovered many years ago that each journey I took was a story in itself.

Award-winning TV chef Neven Maguire will rustle up some delicious delights in Cork this week to help launch a fundraising cookbook featuring the favourite recipes of an array of Irish celebrities.

I absolutely believe that books will set you free.

Sue Leonard talks about men, marriage and missed chances with romance writer Roisin Meaney, who’s still hoping to meet The One

Living the country life, Miranda Manning wasn’t really a reader until her twenties. She worked in HR; in a state body, then a secondary college, and finally in a factory.

Two of Ireland’s top street artists have immortalised great Irish writers in graffiti on a theatre wall.

Some leading female media figures have been lined up to take part in a new festival which will celebrate women’s contribution to the media in Ireland.

Mary Murray tells Pádraic Killeen about Fishamble’s latest short form project

Bumper sales of books by Marian Keyes, the late Maeve Binchy, Emma Donoghue and chef Jamie Oliver helped propel the Irish arm of booksellerWaterstone’s back to an operating profit last year.

IT’S the fields of waving wildflowers that are puzzling.

As his maverick Edinburgh detective Rebus returns after a five-year absence, best-selling author Ian Rankin tells Hannah Stephenson why he’s frustrated by the TV adaptations of his books — and that he never watches them.

Almost half a million Irish bookworms — mostly women — spent more than €3m on the erotic Fifty Shades trilogy last year.

The late Maeve Binchy was the highest earning Irish author last year, according to the latest Nielsen figures.

July

ANOTHER year, another notch tightened on the belt. So what did we learn in 2012?

Ireland’s top writers moved from the page to the stage in style to accept prizes at the 2012 Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards at the RDS.

MASS MARKETFICTION

It has emerged that one of author Maeve Binchy's final acts was to write a recipe for an upcoming charity book.

It was probably best-selling author Maeve Binchy’s last act of charity.

Maeve Binchy's final book is to be published later this year and is expected to top the Christmas best sellers list.