Happy new year! Watch for a newsletter sometime next week with information about A RIVER RED WITH BLOOD (May 2026) and Charlie Parker's return to France in March. If you're not subscribing, you can do that at www.johnconnollybooks.com.

The first ABC to XTC show of 2026 is next on @rtegold.bsky.social, with music from The Wild Swans, Style Council, Talk Talk and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/.

Well done — thank you!

"...reading, and particularly the reading of fiction, encourages us to view the world in new and challenging ways...It allows us to inhabit the consciousness of another which is a precursor to empathy, and empathy is, for me, one of the marks of a decent human being." - John Connolly

The holiday edition of ABC to XTC is next on @rtegold.bsky.social, with seasonal tunes from @petshopboys.co.uk, @azteccamera.bsky.social, @sharonvanetten.bsky.social and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

Flatteringly, ‘Every Dead Thing’ is now available in Arabic…

Alll the hits.

I love the randomness of this shop on Dublin’s Thomas Street: hairdryers, watches, male grooming kits, Christmas decorations, blood-pressure monitors. “Oh, and while you’re out, pick up a memorial plaque for Mum’s grave…”

My contribution to @express.co.uk Books of the Year:

On cellphone etiquette, from this weekend’s @thetimes.com. Yes. Just…yes.

This week on ABC to XTC, next on @rtegold.bsky.social: music from @depechemode.com, China Crisis, World Party and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

Because I’m a giver, and also a bit cheap, here’s my festive gift to you: a Hotel Odyssey. No, don’t thank me, it’ll only embarrass us both. Nice decor, though, and note presence of free shortbread, crisps, AND a gingerbread snowman. I know you want me to be happy. #HotelOdyssey

Una 'bella durmiente' de John Connolly

ABC to XTC is next on @rtegold.bsky.social, with music from The Damned, The Jam, Talking Heads and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

US readers, THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS is currently on sale in e-book format for only $1.99 on all platforms — not sure how long this will last! www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Bo...

Ah, St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin, and a man walking with his parrot, as one does…

From @theobserveruk.bsky.social. You’d never get a Liverpool midfielder writing this sort of thing…

"If you are a fan of the series, this one delivers . . . Definitely recommend." Thank you, Jen!

ABC to XTC starts now on @rtegold.bsky.social, with music from Spandau Ballet, the Buzzcocks, John Lennon and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

You have just over an hour to prepare yourself for this week's ABC to XTC, featuring music from Prince, Madness, The Cure and more. Listen via the RTE mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/.

Gracias, es precioso.

ABC to XTC is next on @rtegold.bsky.social, with music from Bryan Ferry, Tears for Fears, Fine Young Cannibals and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/.

A la venta hoy, de @tusquetseditores.bsky.social: LA TIERRA DE LAS COSAS PERDIDAS. www.planetadelibros.com/libro-la-tie...

Up next on @rtegold.bsky.social: this week's ABC to XTC, with music from Adam Ant, Big Country, Leonard Cohen and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

Next on @rtegold.bsky.social: ABC to XTC kicks off November with music from Nik Kershaw, Kirsty MacColl, Hüsker Dü and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

Tonight (7:00 p.m.) on Arena on @rteradio1.bsky.social: suggestions for your Halloween entertainment, including book recommendations from one J. Connolly. The show streams at www.rte.ie/radio/radio1....

In the spirit of the season, I'll be dropping in to Arena on @rteradio1.bsky.social tomorrow night to talk about books appropriate for Halloween — you can listen at 7:00 p.m. via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/radio1....

Happy Samuel Johnson Day to all who celebrate. www.johnconnollybooks.com/other-books/...

And for American e-book readers, THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS and THE LAND OF LOST THINGS remain on sale for $1.99 apiece on all platforms: www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Bo... www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-La...

UK ebook readers: the Kindle edition of NIGHT & DAY is currently on sale for a mere 99p — amzn.eu/d/c5LxjCq

US readers: the next Charlie Parker novel, A RIVER RED WITH BLOOD, goes on sale on May 5, 2026 and is now available for pre-order: www.simonandschuster.biz/books/A-Rive... (UK details coming soon!)

Words of wisdom from the great Bill Nighy.

Did you miss yesterday's edition of ABC to XTC on @rtegold.bsky.social? Don't despair! You can listen back on the RTÉ mobile app or through the website: www.rte.ie/radio/gold/a...

From yesterday’s @IrishTimesCultr, as @Connellybooks continues his campaign to steal my mum. Mark my words, he’ll be in her will next — at my expense.

My current reading by @carrport.bsky.social, which is so good, and so much more than a collection of interviews. But among the latter, Josephine Hart describes literature as the “geography of mankind”, which seems just right: non-fiction as the history, fiction as the geography…

!En media hora! En inglés, pero creo que habrá una traducción en español…

ABC to XTC is next on @rtegold.bsky.social, with music from The Waterboys, Pixies, birthday boy Daryl Hall (with John Oates) and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

Voy a charlar en un evento digital por la Feria Internacional del Libro Zócalo este Domingo, 12 de octubre, a la una de la tarde (8pm GMT) — pero creo que la charla será en inglés. (The conversation will be in English.)

A nice mention for the Parker novels in this feature on cults in fiction… www.horrordna.com/features/joi...

And thanks to @aricpeterson.bsky.social for noting that THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS is also on sale in e-format for $1.99. Both sales are likely to be of short duration. www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-Bo...

Classics of the genre and some fun covers on this week's ABC to XTC, next on @rtegold.bsky.social with music from @petshopboys.co.uk, @thepretenders.com, Thin Lizzy and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/.

US readers! The electronic edition of THE LAND OF LOST THINGS is on sale on all platforms for a mere $1.99, for a limited time: www.simonandschuster.biz/books/The-La...

Given the cost of the rest of the items on this page of the Sunday Times male fashion special, I may not bother asking for the price “on application” of the Celine coat at No. 10.

I’m very much looking forward to the launch of the Scribendi book and exhibition next month. I imagine a number of the subjects will be in attendance and, like me, will be happy to add their signatures, if you’re thinking about Christmas gifts… dublinbookfestival.com/event/scribe...

ABC to XTC is next on @rtegold.bsky.social, with music from XTC, Depeche Mode, The Waitresses and more. Listen via the RTÉ mobile app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/

ABC to XTC starts next on @rtegold.bsky.social, with music from Wang Chung, Kate Bush, Belinda Carlisle and more. Listen via the RTÉ app or stream the show at www.rte.ie/radio/gold/.

American troops in Algeria in 1942. My God, how young that soldier in the second row looks. He’s just a child…

Hay una nota aqui — ¡en español! — por mis lectores españoles, al final del boletín en inglés, sobre el segundo libro por este año…

Check your email, check your spam folder — a newsletter went out last night announcing the next Parker novel: hosted.verticalresponse.com/205621/d24c9...

“Never leave me alone with poets.” — Harold Ross, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, 1925-51.