BOOKS Reading Notes The best new books to read this month By Sarah Halliwell O ne of the most astonishing novels Ive read in years is GAINING GROUND by Joan Barfoot (Faber, €16). It was first published in 1978 but then went out of print, and its original UK publisher, Womens Press, shut down. As Raminta from Faber tells me, Our colleague discovered an old copy in a secondhand bookshop and passed it round the office, to everyones delight and then our editor got in touch with Joan Barfoot (whos now in her eighties) and convinced her that we werent a scam email and we really did want to reissue it! To say its compelling is an understatement. It tells the story of Abra, a wife and mother of two an observer in her own life who one day ups and leaves, telling her family not to look for her. In a remote cabin, she begins to live in tune with the rhythms of nature. The story opens nine years later, as an 18-year-old arrives at her door the daughter she abandoned. Its a masterful and beautifully paced exploration of womanhood, what being successful in life really means and the conflicts in seeking a room of ones own. Its devastating and enlightening in equal measure, with cool wisdom on every page. Doireann Ní Ghríofa is among those describing it as a modern masterpiece. Its easy to imagine this as a film. This years Stoner: a rediscovered gem. Amid many alluring new Irish arrivals, this one will garner the most headlines. A BIGGER LIFE (HQ, €18) is Louise ONeills memoir of coming through a breakup and embarking on a dating experiment in Paris, London and New York. Its cut through with sharp humour I loved the prospective date being called away to Uzbekistan but the takedowns of her dates dont always make for particularly edifying reading. ONeill talks of the scrutiny that followed her earlier novels, and how it diminished her; it feels either courageous or foolhardy to expose all aspects of her life here. She spends a lot of this book asking questions, trying to cover all possible bases. Shes interesting and honest about her approach to the beauty industry: We consume and we are consumed. ONeill urges her female readers to demand and expect more in life, and discovers that making space for joy increases your capacity for it. Book clubs will have a field day. A recurring theme this month in fiction is the reimagining of true lives. John Boyne is one of those novelists setting out to explore a real person in this way. THE WEIGHT OF ANGELS (Doubleday, €18) examines one of the mightiest of all: Oscar Wilde. Its a big voice to take on, but Boyne doesnt flinch as he explores the sliding doors moment of Wilde taking on the libel case against his lover Bosies father, the Marquis of Queensbury leading to the writers downfall and imprisonment. What if Wilde had ignored the provocation? In a compelling conceit, Boyne imagines the life Wilde might have gone on to have. In a parallel vein, Elif Shafaks IN ONE BRIEF MOMENT ALL ETERNITY (€17, Viking Trade) sees the Booker-shortlisted author take on Flaubert. Shafak 34 October 2026 imagines what if the French novelists tragic heroine, Emma Bovary, and other women overlooked by history, could tell their own story. Flaubert is brought to life by the various women who surround him, in a rich tapestry of voices. MUSIC AGAINST THE NIGHT by Yiyun Li (4th Estate, €17), landing October 22, gives a lyrical insight into two groundbreaking musicians. The first is John Field, the Dublin-born creator of the nocturne, the genre of romantic melodies thats usually credited to Frederic Chopin. The story starts in Dublin at the end of the 18th century and unfolds into a lyrical historical epic. GLORIOUS MONSTERS by Martina Devlin (€16.95, Lilliput Press, October 22) is set during a sweltering summer in Rome where Mary Shelley, her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and sister-in-law Claire Clairmont are living together in a volatile emotional cauldron, as observed by their real-life friend, Irish artist Amelia Curran. A sultry tale of artistic temperaments, entanglements and turmoil. There are plenty more blockbusters to see us through the darker autumn evenings. Barbara Kingsolver always dazzles and her new PARTITA (Faber & Faber, €23.20), her first novel since the Pulitzer-winning Demon Copperhead, is a love story about music, life, choices and ambition, as a classical pianist is contacted by a former lover. For a tender and gentle tale centred on a father/daughter relationship, set on road trip in Jamaica, BITTER MELON by Liv Little (John Murray, €20) is moving and full of heart. Finally, some short stories by Irish writers. Sligo-based Eoin McNamees THE COMETS Collected Short Fiction (Faber & Faber, €20) focuses on ordinary lives in stark, lyrical prose. Im planning to read his novel The Bureau (published last year), which focuses on his own family history. And take Sarah Moss novella, THE WINTER GUEST (Picador, €13), on your next bus journey: it reads like a oneact play, as two strangers get talking in a hotel restaurant one Christmas Eve, and spend the evening sharing confidences. A short story with a sting in its tail. One final tip on the non-fiction side: FICTIONAL SELVES by Kyle MacLachlan (Random House, €36.25) is a droll, well-written peek behind the scenes of the Mulholland Drive and Sex and the City actors Hollywood experiences, and beyond. THE IRISH TIMES OCTOBER 2026 20 years of thE GLOSS d e l l e e w B Je M www.th egloss.ie e d o h n r l r i e m o o st o tr s a e e r u CONTENTS the gloss E D I TO R JE NNIFE R STE V E NS D EP UT Y ED ITOR S Í O MHA CO NNO LLY MASHA MEL STYLE E D I TO R AISLINN CO FFE Y B EAUT Y ED ITOR SARAH HALLIW E LL CO N T R I B U TI N G E D I TO R PE NNY MC CO RMICK A R T D IR EC TOR PATRICIA C MAR INHO D IGITA L ED ITOR RACHE L HE AL THE FIRST WORD The Edit restaurants, books, trends, culture ROGER VIVIER AW27 PHOTOGRAPHED BY FRANCESCO BRIGIDA This Month Tim Walker: Fairyland Annie Mac at Guinness Jazz Onóra, Capel Street Animals at the Abbey Theatre T For music lovers, Annie Mac returns to Cork this his month we are TREND o The Trend Spot S 2 Cheers to dirty martini greens By Aislinn Coffey 3 4 1 tep foot into any cocktail establishment in the city and youll see that the dirty martini is having a moment. And now, green is shaping up to be one of the key colours of the season. 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Purple merino wool high neck top, €49, at Cos, as before. 18ct rose gold Play Of Light diamond and multi-gem pendant necklace; matching Play Of Light diamond and multi-gem pendant earrings; both at Boodles, 71 Grafton Street, Dubl ACCESSORIES Fope 18ct gold three-row diamond earrings, €6,420, at Keanes, as before. Alexis Bittar 14ct gold-plated Solanales crystal earrings, €299, at Loulerie, 14b Chatham Street, Dublin 2. Boodles 18ct gold Play of Light earrings, at 71 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. be jewelled Ryan Thomas FASHION 2 Menswear Notes T Octobers wish list By Aislinn Coffey STYLE CV 2 3 1 4 5 11 10 6 7 46 October 2026 3 4 he best leather jackets are timeless classics that never go out of style, and youre never too young or old to wear one. Every man should have a smartlooking version in his & bo ur RAN P arts la TY 5 AR AR W YE SOCIAL LIFE THEN e n NOW & Little has changed in Ireland over the last two decades, not our obsession with property, not the traffic and certainly not climate lethargy, writes Trevor White In July 2006, then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the boom times are getting even more boomer. At the time, Gr Experience the freedom of a cord-free lifestyle with our extensive range of cordless wall and table lights. Visit us at: Unit 1, The View, Carrickmines Manor, Dublin 18, D18 C6V4 info@hedgeroe.com hedgeroe.com 01-294 8932 20 YEARS THE GLOSS ANNIVERSARY Celebrating THE Twenty years is a significant milestone for any media brand, but particularly for one that has navigated seismic changes in publishing, technology and culture while remaining true to its original vision. As we celebrate THE GLOSS turning 20 this mon THE GLOSS ANNIVERSARY GLOSS G made IN MANHATTAN Shooting our big fashion stories in New York has always set THE GLOSS apart. Stylist Luis Rodriguez and his team are an incredible addition to our magazine family. He has loved working on THE GLOSS as much as we have: Over the many years, I forget e THE GLOSS ANNIVERSARY Beauty editor Sarah Halliwell with Kate Moss, Trinny Woodall and Charlotte Tilbury. famous FACES This Glossy Life featured interviews with fashions most prominent names. THE GLOSS has been the fi first rst choice for many fashion and beauty exclusive interviews. Beauty edi THE GLOSS ANNIVERSARY the GLOSS EVENTS THE GLOSS Gala Our guest speakers at THE GLOSS Gala (which features the longest catwalk in Ireland) have been wide-ranging, eclectic and always fascinating. Standouts amongst many include Gina Miller, Richard E Grant, Trinny Woodall and Anya Hindmarch. Inve TRAVEL window shopping A journey through some of the worlds most beautiful shops By Paula Flynn KARIMA MARUAN M y love affair with shops began in my teenage years and, through my work and travels, has taken me around the world in search of enchanting and inspiring shops. When I started The Shop TRAVEL Ulla Johnson, Los Angeles, CA, USA Gertrude Street Market, Victoria, Australia Ulla Johnson designs ethereal, bohemian clothing, drawing on diverse cultural influences with an emphasis on craftsmanship and intricate details. She has developed a loyal following around the world for her sign FOOD Recipe Notes Slowing things down for autumn By Kitty Coles E very autumn I have a small cooking identity crisis. I am, undoubtedly, a summer cook. Give me a pile of tomatoes with something grilled and I know exactly what Im doing. But the shift in weather always makes me think Im supposed to WINE Wine Notes The women who have marked the wine world By Julie Dupouy O ver the past 20 years and more, women have transformed the world of wine. They have challenged traditions, redefined wine education, opened doors for future generations and changed how we think, talk and write about wine. IN CONVERSATION Interview with a Man Fashion designer Roland Mouret By Sarah Caden VIANNEY LE CAER F ashion designer ROLAND MOURET, is celebrated for his ability to drape curves and for his iconic, body-sculpting Galaxy dress. Having stepped down from his eponymous label in 2025, he has moved i IN CONVERSATION My biggest strength is knowing nothing. Youve lived in both England and France, where do you consider home? England. French people outside of France are like the olive in the dirty martini. We are the best. In our own country, we become a bit average. Your most physically attractiv TRAVEL HAUTE HOLIDAYS Less crowds, cooler weather and better value now is the best time to book these alluring autumn getaways By Penny McCormick 2 For Design Lovers 1 COPENHAGEN 4 1. Nyhavns waterfront promenade. 2. Hotel Sanders; www.hotelsanders.com. 3. 14ct gold organically shaped bangle, TRAVEL For Healthy Hedonists 2 MARBELLA The allure of Marbella is guaranteed to lift the spirits as the season of mists sets in. Near perfect temperatures, leisurely days spent snoozing by the pool, or browsing the picturesque old town, punctuated by an ice-cold Tinto de verano and plates of And TRAVEL For Bucolic Bliss 1 BRUTON, SOMERSET Small yet quietly magnetic, Bruton has become known for its serious food, art and style credentials. Internationally renowned contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth has given Bruton much of its cultural clout with its interesting exhibitions and sculp TRAVEL Travel Notes Indulgent stays in the Lake District By Penny McCormick D ining in Langdale Chase, a seductive Victorian manor with impeccable taste, is cinematic. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views over its gorgeous terraced gardens, designed by acclaimed landscape architect Thomas Mawson. ONE LAST THING The List TO READ: Table Energy: Entertaining with Italian Spirit, JJ Martin, Vendome Press. JJ Martin, the founder of luxury lifestyle brand La DoubleJ, opens her little black book T he independent fashion boutique I always make time for ... I adore the new Communité store in Ist Polestar 4 SUV Is it a car? Is it a statement? WLTP Polestar 4 SUV: 19.0-21.6 kWh/100 km and CO2: 0 g/km. Preliminary figures. Subject to final certification. Yes.