Tipperary author and UL alumnus, Donal Ryan, will read from his award-winning, debut novel The Spinning Heart, at a book reading hosted by the Glucksman Library, UL on Thursday, 7th of March from 16:30 to 18:00. The event will be introduced by Professor Margaret Harper, Glucksman Chair in Contemporary Writing and following the reading, Donal will take questions and answers from the audience. Booking is essential and can be arranged by emailing Helena.Feighan@ul.ie. Donal Ryan was born in a village in North Tipperary, a stroll from the shores of Lough Derg. The Spinning Heart (a co-publication with The Lilliput Press & Doubleday Ireland), recently won not only Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, but also overall Book of the Year for 2012, fending off competition from established authors such as Edna O\\\'Brien and John Banville. This is the latest triumph for Ryan’s highly acclaimed novel, which Jennifer Johnston has called “the best first novel I have read for years and years and years”. Technically daring and evocative of Patrick McCabe and J.M. Synge, this novel of small-town recession-hit Ireland is witty, dark and sweetly poignant. Ryan Tubridy says it is “a stunning, stunning read”; John Boyne says, “I can’t imagine a more original, more perceptive or more passionate work than this”, while Declan Hughes in the Sunday Independent says Donal Ryan is “a new Irish writer of the very first order”. His eagerly awaited second book The Thing About December will be published Autumn 2013. Email helena.feighan@ul.ie or call 061-213030 to book your place at this event.