FIONA ROSS, Director, National Library of Ireland
My bedside locker looks like the leaning tower of Pisa, there are so many books piled up.
One of them is the most controversial book club choice of 2010 – A Fraction of the Wholeby Steve Toltz, which I'd describe as the closest I have come to an acid trip in terms of a reading experience.
Next up are a few books on Irish history and Irish writers. In my new role I am surrounded by those with expert knowledge, so I really need to catch up with books such as Diarmaid Ferriter's The Transformation of Ireland.
What else is there? A self-help book on how to raise a teenager – I sincerely hope it will help out over the next few years. Last but by no means least is a thriller, my favourite genre – The Nearest Exit, by Olen Steinhauer.
I nearly always have more than one book on the go, and have in the past dabbled with audio books. I trained for a marathon 10 years ago while listening to Margaret Thatcher’s biography, and I’m not sure which was harder!
What's upcoming? Well, I have the next Olen Steinhauer book lined up and the three book club summer choices: Joseph O'Connor's Ghost Light, The Story of a Marriageby Andrew Sean Greer, and Love and Summerby William Trevor.
Luckily I have already read William Trevor, so I am ahead. I also have a few books on the history of the National Library and its collections that I need to read, so that will keep me busy.
As told to Tony Clayton-Lea
