Erika McGann talks all things bookish for the companion series to our popular podcast, Burning Books
Senan doesn’t care for adventure. He’d rather watch the world go by from his bedroom window.
But when he spots the Shy Town – a hilltop town that vanishes and reappears along the horizon – he is fascinated.
Along with his fearless and fun-loving neighbour and his no-nonsense grandmother, Senan sets out to find the Shy Town. On their epic adventure they encounter wild storms, a boy made of paper, a nervous, beetle-like creature with remarkable abilities – and a mysterious town with an incredible secret.
A book from your early days
I remember picking up Meg and Mog by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowsk in the old library in Drogheda – I think it was the first book I ever borrowed, and I was so excited about it. I still smile whenever I see the cover.
Dog ears or book marks?
Definitely bookmarks. I love a book that is well-worn and tattered, but dog ears catch the pages and make reading awkward. If you dog ear books, we can’t be friends.
A quote you can say by heart?
I can recite Each Peach Pear Plum by heart because I used to repeat it over and over to get my niece to sleep. I miss doing it – now that she’s older she just tells me to shush.
Do you lend without expecting a book returned?
I rarely keep books once I’ve read them, so they’re never a lend. Always a gift.
Best book someone gave you?
Sabriel by Garth Nix. My sister insisted I read it. I fell in love with the series, and now they’re some of my favourite re-reads.
A book you return to over the years?
The Old Kingdom series mentioned above, and a load of Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances. I’ve got a terrible memory for books – a story often goes out of my head as soon as I finish it – so I can happily re-read the Georgette Heyers until the end of time.
A book that haunts you?
I adored Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children when I was very young. They unsettled me too, which was part of their appeal. The Nightingale and the Rose in particular haunted the younger me for a long time. I loved the experience though.
A book that taught you something important?
When the Luvenders Came to Merrick Town by June Considine. I feel like I mention the Luvender books all the time, but they stick in my mind. It was the first time I remember enjoying being scared. I was quite a fearful kid who avoided scary things at all costs, so this was a bit of a revelation for me.
A book that makes you laugh?
Aoife Dooley’s graphic novels, Frankie’s World and Finding My Voice. I don’t often laugh out loud when reading, but some of the characters’ expressions caught me off guard and I properly belly laughed.
A book you associate with a particular life event?
The Point Horror series. I don’t associate them with an event, but with a particular period. It was my first experience of book fandom. My friends and I were all into the series. We’d head to the library together every couple of weeks to get a new stash, then we’d rattle on for ages about all the murders. It was brilliant.
One of your own books you would save from your burning house?
I’d grab my latest book, Chasing the Shy Town. I had a wonderful sense of nostalgia when writing it – it brought me back to the excitement of the summer holidays from school, playing games and building forts in the fields near my home. Just looking at the book gives me that summertime feeling.
A book you are reading now?
I’m currently reading Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. It’s a zombie apocalypse story told from the point of view of people’s pets. It’s great fun so far.
A book you’d leave in there to burn?
Hard Times by Charles Dickens. It was our class novel for Leaving Cert and I hated every second of it. It put me off Dickens for life. (Except for A Christmas Carol – I do love a read of that one at Christmas.)
You can save one non-book item: what is it?
My laptop. All my stuff is on it, and I don’t back up nearly often enough.
