Paul is so delighted as Ross becomes the city’s favourite

SOUTHSIDE author Paul Howard is riding high after he
achieved another literary feat with one of his books in the Ross O’Carroll
Kelly series voted Dubliners’ favourite read.

The

‘Oh My God Delusion’ not only topped Eason’s book
poll as the nation’s most popular but has also become the title that Dubliners
thought was their best read.

As part of their 125th anniversary celebrations,
Ireland’s leading book retailer launched a search to find the nation’s
favourite book.

As part of the process they also discovered each county’s best-loved
story.

Thousands of bookworms from all over Ireland cast
their votes via Eason’s new website in recent weeks and from a list of 125 top
titles it was Ross O’Carroll Kelly’s

‘The Oh My God Delusion’ that came out on
top as the overall winner and the favourite for Dubliners.

It saw off competition from classics such as James
Joyce’s

‘Ulysses’, Oscar Wilde’s

‘Picture of Dorian Gray’ and childhood
favourites such as Roald Dahl’s

‘BFG’.

Maria Dickenson, head of book purchasing at Eason,
said:

“What a diverse bunch of readers we are in Ireland. Thanks to everyone
who voted, it’s been incredibly interesting to watch the votes coming in and
gaining an insight into what makes us tick when it comes to reading.

“We each take away something unique from every book we
read. Ross O’Carroll Kelly was certainly a strong contender throughout and
we’re delighted to have an Irish book come out on top.

Congratulations to Paul for a great win and we trust Ross
will be occupying our book shelves for years to come.

?

Commenting on his prestigious win, Paul said:

“I am
thrilled that

‘The Oh My God Delusion’ has topped Eason’s poll to find the
nation’s favourite book. I’ve been writing Ross O’Carroll Kelly books for 13
years now and it’s very gratifying that readers still find the books relevant
and funny.

‘The Oh My God Delusion’ is the tenth novel in the series, which I
began writing as a way of poking fun at middle class rugby culture but which
became a means of satirising Celtic Tiger Ireland.

?

He added:

“This book was the first recession era one
that traced the descent of Ross and his circle of friends from affluence to
penury. It’s great that readers have stuck with the story and are still
laughing. And God knows we need a laugh in these grim times. I’d like to say a
very special thanks to Eason, who have huge supporters of Ross since the very
first book, and everyone who voted.

?