Books for Breakfast
A podcast focussing on fiction and poetry hosted by poets and writers Peter Sirr and Enda Wyley. Also features the Toaster Challenge where guest writers are given the time it takes to make toast to talk about a book that has resonated with them.
Books for Breakfast
67: IMRAM festival, Kelly Michels' American Anthem
First up on today's show, I chat with Liam Carson, who is back again with another episode of the Irish language Festival, IMRAM.
And we hear from Kelly Michels, whose Forward Prize shortlisted debut collection, American Anthem, published by Gallery Press this year, focuses on the tragedies both personal and national, of the opioid epidemic and its devastating effects of addiction and of gun violence in America, where the poet grew up. We talk to Kelly about growing up in the U.S., writing about her mother's addiction, the mass shootings in her home town and her take on the American anthem..
Kelly's Toaster Challenge choice is 'Starlight Scope Myopia' by Yusef Komunyakaa, from his Pulitzer Prize-winning book of selected poems, Neon Vernacular.
Intro/outro music: Colm Mac Con Iomaire, ‘Thou Shalt Not Carry’ from The Hare’s Corner, 2008, with thanks to Colm for permission to use it. Incidental music
Scott Buckley, Emmit Fenn.
Logo by Freya Sirr
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