Solas Nua - Blog

Transcript of conversation with Linda Murray of Solas Nua

Linda Murray: I think my favorite event, it probably is Irish Book Day. It's a logistical nightmare. But in the aftermath of it, the flood of emails and phone calls and notes that we get from people who were suspicious about somebody handing them out a book at a Metro stop, but who then went home and read said book, and maybe hadn't read a book in a very long time, and sort of remembered how much they loved reading. There's a lovely satisfaction that comes from that. And knowing that somebody has discovered a new writer for the first time, and that they're now probably going to go and buy three more of their books. That's a lovely sense of accomplishment. Jo Reed:  How many books will you give out? Linda Murray:  Last year, it was 10,000. This year in DC there will be 15, and I think there'll be another 10 in New York, yeah. <laughs> It's madness! It's pure madness! <laughs> Jo Reed:  But it sounds like a splendid madness. Linda Murray:  It is! It is.There's no controlling the day. And what I have learned is that every single day is different. We've now-- this is our sixth year doing it in a row, and they haven't been the same twice. So you keep thinking you've covered every eventuality, until something else comes up at you, and then you realize, “No. I'll never understand this day.” <laughs> But for me, it's a really nice way to celebrate my national holiday.