Irish author Marian Keyes writes "comedies about serious issues" that pertain to the lives of contemporary women. Her 10th novel, The Brightest Star in the Sky, was published on January 25 by Viking. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband, Tony, and their two imaginary dogs, Patch and Sox.
On your nightstand now:
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. I love Margaret Atwood. I've read almost every book she's written, and I know she objects to some of her fiction being categorised as sci-fi, but this is sci-fi, right? It doesn't mean it isn't brilliant. Also on the nightstand is Neuro-linguistic Programming for Dummies by Romilla Ready and Kate Burton. I'm always trying to fix myself and this is my latest attempt. I haven't actually opened it yet, I think I felt that simply buying it was enough to bring about an improvement.
Favorite book when you were a child: 
Anything by Enid Blyton. Do you know her in the U.S.? She wrote books set in the 1950s about posh British children with remote, haughty parents and stiff upper lips; children who went to boarding school and had nannies and a massive sense of entitlement. Being unposh and Irish myself, and with no sense of entitlement, I was desperate to be one of them.
Your top five authors:
Michael Connelly. He's just so good, and as I consider myself to be a bit of a tormented loner, I get great identification with Harry Bosch. Wally Lamb--so compassionate. But why only three novels in 15 years? Please write more! John Bradshaw--more compassion, this time in nonfiction form. Healing the Shame that Binds You had a huge effect on me. Philippa Gregory--intelligent, wonderfully researched, gripping historical fiction. Her latest, The White Queen, was so satisfying. Bill W., because he saves my life on a daily basis.
Book you've faked reading:
Ulysses by James Joyce. Hey, I'm Irish. Everyone expects me to have read it. Paradoxically my English husband has read it, and tells me it's quite good.... But so many books, so little time.
Book you're an evangelist for:
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson. Everyone in the whole world must read it! It's beautifully, wittily written, has a gripping saga-like plot, great characterisation and a bit of magic realism thrown in for good measure.
Book you've bought for the cover:
Handbags: The Power of the Purse by Anna Johnson, because it features a fabulous Sonia Rykiel purse. And indeed every page inside also showcases a beautiful bag. Your enjoyment of this book might be enhanced if you love purses. If you don't, it may not speak to you in the same way.
Book that changed your life:
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolff. I was horrified to read how I (and millions of women) are conned into undernourishing ourselves on a daily basis, in order to be as thin as the 16-year-olds who model the clothes we buy. And how we are persuaded to spend money we haven't got on snake oil (i.e., "miracle" nightcream, eyecream, lip-plumpers, etc.)
Favorite line from a book:
"There will be no butter in hell!"--From Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. (A Christian evangelist is urging people to live a godly life in the here and now because when we're burning in hell's flames, there will be no butter to apply to soothe our wounds.)
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. It was such glorious fun and every line a beautifully crafted gem.
