Donal Ryan has received fantastic acclaim for his debut novel The Spinning Heart, including the Guardian First Book Award. Though it is difficult to follow on from such great initial success Ryan's second book The Ting About December does a great job of filling The Spinning Heart's shoes. Through the story of Johnsey Cunliffe The Thing about December turns a discerning eye on the caustic atmosphere of the Celtic Tiger and its obsession with wealth and property.

A simple man, Johnsey Cunliffe wants little more than comfort and company. Yet in an unforgiving world it is hard to find even this and Johnsey becomes terribly alone as the only people close to him are lost. It is only with a potential fortune in his future that people begin to take an interest in Johnsey. Can Johnsey find happiness in this world where greed rules supreme? Or will he trade all that he has for a brief respite from the loneliness? 

Susan speaks with Donal Ryan about the character of Johnsey and the harsh truths The Thing About December tells us about ourselves and Ireland during the Celtic Tiger.

Every year the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards sees the height of Irish literary talent come together to celebrate the best that this island has to offer for readers everywhere. This year was no different and the event saw a great many gather to celebrate the cream of Irish literature from the past year. Among the winners this year was Michael Harding as his memoirs, Staring at Lakes, earned him The National Book Tokens Nonfiction Book of the Year and RTÉ Radio 1’s The John Murray Show Listeners’ Choice Award.

To celebrate these awards 'Talking Books' revisits our interviews with Michael about his life and his memoirs. Listen back as Susan speaks with Michael about the turbulent times and joyous moments of his life that fed his writing and are so perfectly encapsulated in Staring at Lakes.