Dublin City Council is delighted to announce that Snowflake by Louise Nealon is the One Dublin One Book choice for 2024, following on from The Coroner’s Daughter by Andrew Hughes in 2023.
One Dublin One Book aims to encourage everyone in Dublin to read a designated book connected with the capital city during the month of April every year. This annual project is a Dublin City Council initiative, led by Dublin City Libraries and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, which encourages reading for pleasure. Announcing the choice, Dublin City Librarian, Mairead Owens, said:
“A debut novel, Snowflake from Louise Nealon is a tender story of a college student from the country adjusting to her new life in Dublin. Raw, yet affirming, this book will appeal to all readers as it explores life’s milestones, family, mental health and how we ultimately connect with others while facing big challenges. I am excited about reaching new audiences with this book and generating discussion among readers in the city and beyond next April.”
The book’s author Louise Nealon is excited about the One Dublin One Book programme, remarking:
“I am delighted that Snowflake has been chosen as next year’s One Dublin One Book. I could never have imagined, upon entering Dublin as a lost culchie, that my confrontation with the place would fuel the world of a novel. Dublin has a habit of showing people who they are. In the early stages of writing Snowflake, the characters stayed within the confines of their rural village. It was only when I sent them to Dublin that they began to reveal themselves to me. It is an honour to unleash this story into the imagination of a city that helped to bring it to life.”
Details of the One Dublin One Book programme will be announced in early 2024.
The One Dublin One Book initiative is also funded by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.