Bestselling author Joseph O’Connor was this week’s guest for Back to Mine on the Tom Dunne Show.

O’Connor, who has just released his latest novel ‘The Thrill of it All’, explained to Tom the importance of music in his life and career.

‘I love writing and literature but music is the sweetest and most powerful of artforms,” he said.

Growing up, music took on a ‘particular role’, he said, especially in light of a somewhat troubled household. His parents marriage didn’t work out.

O’Connor’s first song choice was ‘Gloria’ by Patti Smith.

He explained that he purchased this record from Freebird Records when he was just fourteen years of age, with a tenner gifted to him by his aunt.

O’Connor’s new book ‘The Thrill of It All’ is a retreat from the historical novels he has worked on for the past ten years and instead focuses on two youngsters who form a band. The book has a distinctive soundtrack, epitomised by its title which is taken from the Roxy Music song. This made up his second song choice.

“They were a breath of fresh air...growing up in monochrome Ireland”.

His final song choice was ‘Don’t Think Twice’ by Bob Dylan.