Writer in residence
Author Sophie White shares her hopes and plans for spring, regardless of restrictions.
This spring, I’ll be… Reading Megan Nolan’s Acts of Desperation, which is set to be a huge hit. I also can’t wait for Irish thriller writer Andrea Mara’s fourth book, All Her Fault, which is coming out in June. I’ve loved all her other books. And Lucy Vine’s new one, Bad Choices, is going to be brilliant. I love her books – witty, escapist fun!
Listening to I am not a fan of Tom Cruise, but I am so intrigued by Meeting Tom Cruise (meetingtomcruise.com) – it’s about two actors who have never met Tom Cruise, would absolutely love to meet him, but failing that are interviewing those who have about their bizarre experiences!
Watching The new series of Line of Duty… I know, I know – I am basic as hell, but it’s totally addictive telly! Like everyone, I was afraid that Succession would leave us hanging in limbo forever, but TG they somehow managed to get the third season together in 2020’s hellscape, so I’m living for that. So happy that season three of Atlanta is coming, so more Donald Glover genius to feast on. Movie-wise, it has to be the new Spongebob and Minions flicks – I’m very cultured. But seriously, I have three children, so each of these will buy me 90 minutes of watching The Real Housewives.
Catching I have tickets to the Pillow Queens’ Dublin gig later in the year, and I am super-excited for that. If CMAT, Denise Chaila or Luz play any live gigs, I will make it my business to be there. I really miss Sing Along Social, though I’ve caught a couple on Zoom during lockdown, but nothing beats shout-singing along with your faves, so I hope to get to that, whether it’s in a real room or on Zoom.
Physically doing I installed a pole for pole dancing in my home during the third lockdown and I’ll be swinging out of that for the foreseeable. I’m learning online with the Irish Pole Dance Academy (irishpoledanceacademy.com), and I absolutely love it.
Taking part in I’ll be appearing at the Cúirt International Festival of Literature (April 21-25, cuirt.ie). Hopefully, the Cork Podcast Festival will be on again this year. I’ve done live shows with my two podcasts, The Creep Dive and Mother of Pod at this before, and it’s always so much fun.
If restrictions and money were not a factor, I’d go on an all-in Club Med snowboarding holiday. I am always happy to stay in Ireland in the summer, but I’ve missed getting away to the snow so much this year. Given money is no object in this scenario, I would also go to the Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites with just my husband. We went there for a few nights for our honeymoon, and everything from the food to the rooms to the island were incredible. Marie-Thérèse and Ruairí de Blacam have created this completely unique escape in my favourite place in Ireland.
It’s luxurious but restrained, and the views are stunning. Every single detail of your stay is executed beautifully, from the breakfast feast delivered to your suite to the hearty hot lunches perfectly packed up for you to take anywhere on the island. How many fantasy trips do I get? Because if we are going full-on fantasy… I’d hike the Appalachian Trail. I’ve always wanted to do it, and I will, hopefully, someday.