How I’ve Tried to Change the World by Alexei Sayle: The godfather of alternative comedy looks left
The memoir is most satisfying when Sayle looks at the flaws as well as the draws of the left
By NJ McGarrigle
Gaza’s Gravediggers: A valuable historical document if, or when, Israel is finally held to account
Fascinating picture of the moral and logical contortions necessary to reach implausible decisions
By Kevin Gildea
Louise Kennedy is 2027 IPUT Writer-in-Residence
All In by Peter O’Mahony and Zeebs by Simon Zebo: An authentic account of a life in rugby, and a dose of cheery insouciance
New children’s books: Scoffers, squiddlers and how to find magic in your garden
Bathtub by Mike Allen: third in The Moth short story prize 2026
Brigid O’Dea: As one door closes, an ocean opens
The Queerest of Folk by Russell T Davies, and Out Now by Scott Bryan: A queer obsession with TV
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POETRY
On the Air and Sounding Ireland: Radio histories offer absorbing education in ‘the new confessional’
By Mick Heaney
Crime fiction: Dark tales, with the worst people, for respite from that Christmas cheer
By Brian Cliff and Elizabeth Mannion
James Joyce: A Life in Books – handsome volume does justice to remarkable collection
By Terence Killeen
The American Way of Killing by Malcolm Gladwell: A punchy but sometimes superficial polemic
By Andrew Lynch
The City Without Jews by Douglas Smith: How Vienna turned on a once-thriving community
By Anne Haverty
Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger: Ambitious follow-up to the Time Traveler’s Wife
By Helen Cullen
Edged in Blue: A Rock & Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher - Ireland’s first rock star
By Eamon Sweeney
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices