Interview with Úna-Minh Kavanagh, author of Anseo
I'm very excited that the amazing Úna-Minh Kavanagh, author of Anseo, was so kind to answer some questions about her favourite smart thinking books! Before jumping into the interview, please do check out Úna-Minh's fantastic new book Anseo:
Anseo is such a beautiful book. Is leabhar go h-álainn é Anseo. The positivity, inspiration and determination radiate from it and ooze into you while reading it. Úna-Minh does a great job of walking the reader quickly through the common points of growing up and living in Ireland while at the same time telling her own unique story. She also discusses some very important points about casual racism in Ireland and how to recognise and tackle it, along with some inspiring stories of determination and empathy. The book is also a rallying call for use of the Irish language in a modern context. Ar fheabhas ar fad!
(All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
Anseo
Buy On:
Book Depository €12.80
Waterstones £10.99
Amazon UK £10.99
Amazon US $16.62
Q. Do you have a favourite smart thinking book (and why that book)?
Narrowing down a favourite smart thinking book is very hard because there are so, so many! I’m currently on a non-fiction reading spree and off the top of head, my current favourite book is Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. Despite having no social media presence online – yep, you read that correctly - Cal tackles the digital world exceptionally well. It’s a brilliant read and got me really to rethink how much people really need to be online and why we are so obsessed with being in the know all the time.
Digital Minimalism: On Living Better with Less Technology
Review From Book Depository: The urge to pick up our phones every few minutes has become a nervous twitch that shatters our time into shards too small to be present. Our addiction to tech leaves us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this timely book, professor Cal Newport shows us how to pair back digital distractions and live better with less technology.
Buy On:
Book Depository €12.22 Waterstones £14.99 Amazon UK £10.49 Amazon US $15.99(All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
Q. What's the most recent smart thinking book you've read?
The most recent book that I loved is 10% Happier by Dan Harris. It can be a bit wordy in places, but I follow his podcast of the same name and have his app. He’s a well-known journalist in the US, but what spurred him on with this book is that he had a panic attack live on Good Morning America in front of millions of people. The book is part memoir, part investigative journalism, part meditation which sounds like a mad combination but what he’s saying feels very relevant to how we deal with issues today.
My work is primarily based online and I’ve experienced both the good and bad of our reactive world. I found that Dan’s words helped me refocus what’s really important because my mind bounces around a million miles an hour like his! As a fellow journalist, it was also really refreshing to read about him essentially debunking the people who claim to be zen superstars and who are the legit deal.
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works - A True Story
Review From Book Depository: 10% HAPPIER is a spiritual book written for - and by - someone who would otherwise never read a spiritual book. 10% Happier is a narrative account of Dan's conversion amid the harried and decidedly non-Zen world of the newsroom and concludes with a section for the beginner on how to get started.
Buy On:
Book Depository €7.93 Waterstones £9.99 Amazon UK £9.99 Amazon US $15.99(All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
Q. Do you have a favourite childhood book?
I’ve so many books that I loved as a child but my favourite was probably the Tomás series published by An Gúm which my grandad lovingly would correct into Kerry Irish!!
Tomás agus Eithne á nGléasadh Féin
Review From Siopa.ie: Tá trunc mór thuas staighre. ‘Cad tá sa trunc sin, a Eithne?’ arsa Tomás... ‘Hó-Hó - seanéadaí.’ Níl teorainn leis an spraoi a bhíonn aige féin agus Eithne á ngléasadh féin. /
There is a big trunk upstairs. "What is in that trunk, Eithne?" said Tómas... "Ho-Ho - old clothes." There is no limit to the fun he and Eithne have dressing themselves.
Buy On:
Siopa.ie €3.00(Prices accurate at time of writing)
Q. Do you prefer reading on paper, Kindle or listening to an audiobook?
Even though I listen to long form podcast series I am yet to finish an entire audiobook! I think it’s because I love to really dig in when I’m engaged with a book, so I feel like even though I’m listening to it, I’d rather be sitting down in one place. I read mostly physical and digital books, many of which I get second hand in charity shops.
When I’m heading abroad, I choose to either bring my Kindle or just use BorrowBox, the free library app on my phone (I devour books!) Most recently I’ve also discovered that you can get the Kindle App on your mobile so now I don’t even have to bring it with me! We’re really spoiled for choice.
Q. Do you have a favourite bookshop (and why that shop)?
Two immediately spring to mind, O’Mahony’s in Tralee are exceptionally kind and pleasant to deal with and who value and showcase local Irish authors so generously. The manager Bridget was always kind and caring to my grandad. Also, The Dingle Bookshop who are also so committed to bringing great authors to the forefront. Camilla, its owner, is fantastic. You really get the personal touch with both of these shops!
Míle buíochas le Úna-Minh don agallamh iontach agus dá cuid ama! / Many thanks to Úna-Minh for a great interview and for her time!
Please don't forget to look into her heart-warming and resolve-bolstering new book Anseo.
Daryl
Image Copyrights: New Island Books (Anseo), Penguin Books Ltd (Digital Minimalism), Hodder & Stoughton (10% Happier), An Gúm (Tomás agus Eithne)
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