Some people do Sudoku, others watch Netflix. Brian O’Connell loves the classified ads.
In an era of spin doctors and press releases, celebrities and social influencers, the classified ads can open a door into the lives of ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
What draws Brian to the classified ads are the intriguing human stories he finds there, the unexpected twists and turns, the personalities, the curious objects and the range of human experience waiting to be discovered.
The Personals is a diverse collection of compelling stories about the people and the lives behind the small ads.
Originally from County Clare, but living in Cork, Brian O’Connell is a multi-award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster, best known for his work on Today with Sean O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio1. He has a particular interest in social issues and human-interest stories and is known for tackling often difficult and diverse subjects. His previous book Wasted addressed Ireland’s relationship with alcohol.