
Beyond Borders Book Club
The Beyond Borders Book Club 2024/2025 Series
Ennis Book Club Festival is delighted to present the Beyond Borders Book Club series of events for 2024/2025. In this series, we will discuss books from Brazil, Palestine and Nigeria. All three events are free to attend and will be presented by Clare poet and activist, Sarah Clancy. All four presenters will also come together for a Beyond Borders Book Club panel discussion during the Festival weekend in March. As always, we expect to have three very diverse, engaging and enlightening discussions. We look forward to seeing you there.
Thursday 21 November 2024 7:00 pm, Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis
Tarsila Krüse, author and illustrator, will discuss The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – a visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore.
Thursday 12 December 2024 7:00 pm, Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis
Amanie Issa, PhD researcher and Hardiman Scholar at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, NUIG will discuss Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa- a story of faith, forgiveness and life-sustaining love.
Friday 17 January 2025 7:00 pm, Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Ennis
Zainab Boladale, journalist and TV presenter, will discuss The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré – an inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her “louding voice” and speak up for herself.
The Beyond Borders Book Club is a celebration of great literature from countries beyond Ireland, recommended by guests who have connections to the places discussed in these writings. Its’ aim is to introduce the great diversity of writing and literature in the world to audiences in Ireland.
The Beyond Borders Book Club consists of a series of monthly book club events usually during the winter, ahead of our Festival weekend. At each Book Club meeting, a presenter shares a book that they love and connect to personally and invites members of the audience to read the book and join in a discussion about it. The Book Club meetings are led by a facilitator who will introduce the presenter and guide the discussion. The books themselves are announced ahead of the meetings and are made available to borrow from Clare libraries.
At our festival weekend in March, the presenters come together for a panel discussion about books and reading, and how reading can help us better understand diverse cultures and the wider world.
The Beyond Borders Book Club has always proven to be one of our most popular events, with a diverse range of panelists who have introduced us to literature and culture from many countries around the globe including Nigeria, Egypt, Poland, Argentina and Mexico. In 2023 the Beyond Borders Book Club expanded to include two book clubs for Ukrainians in Kilkee and Lisdoonvarna, in partnership with Clare Libraries.
Past presenters have always found the experience to be enriching and rewarding. It is an opportunity to share great literature from countries in a very personal way, reaching new audiences and making new connections. The discussions at the Beyond Borders Book Club events always acknowledge the growing diverse population in Ireland and our book-loving audiences love to hear about some great books and cultures from people who also love talking about books.
The Ennis Book Club Festival is always looking for new presenters. If you have a book that you connect with personally and would like to share, that originates from a country beyond Ireland then this could be the perfect opportunity.
Panellists for the current Beyond Borders Book Club have been secured but we are still open to applications on an ongoing basis.
If you are interested in becoming a presenter for the next Beyond Borders Book Club, please send the following information to: info@ennisbookclubfestival.com , or complete the form here.
- Your Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Country of origin of the book
- Title of the book that you would like to present
- Name of the author of your chosen book
- In 200 words or less, please tell us your connection to this book
- In 100 words or less, please tell us about yourself
- Do you have any special requirements that we should know about if you are selected?
Presenters will be paid a fee and expenses for participating in the Book Club. Successful applicants will be notified in late Autumn.
The Beyond Borders Book Club is a partnership between Ennis Book Club Festival and Clare Libraries. We are grateful for continuing support from other agencies including Clare County Council and Clare Local Development Company.