Eva Glyn’s latest novel – The Croatian Island Library – invites readers to escape to the Croatian islands with Ana Meštrović. Ana embarks on a new venture – transforming her beloved catamaran into a floating library. When I asked Eva Glyn about the inspiration for The Croatian Island Library, she sent me a beautiful letter to the library she visited as a child. Perfect!
Dear Rhiwbina Library,
Without you, I might never have become an author. I certainly wouldn’t have read as much as I did as a child. You were such a constant in my life I can’t remember the first time I visited you, but I must have been tiny. I remember the shelves seeming so tall, even in the children’s section. I remember my cardboard library cards – and the frustration that I could only have three, when grown ups were allowed seven.
I think, by the time I was in sixth form, I could borrow more books and I began to devour everything. From Danielle Steele’s international romances with their metallic embossed covers, to Emyr Humphreys’ literary novels set in Wales, and a whole lot of other books in between.
At eighteen I left Cardiff and joined other libraries; Coventry where I was a student, Woking where I found my first job, and later Guildford, Petersfield, Chichester as my career took me away from Wales permanently. But on trips home I still returned to my first love, finding large print books first for my grandmother and then for my mother as her eyesight failed in later life.
I was proud to deliver copies of my first published novels to sit on your shelves. Even prouder when you invited me to give a talk in the upstairs room. My mother was able to come and more than half the audience were friends. I felt that perhaps I was giving something back to you that evening, but the reality is it felt small in compensation for the way you opened a world of books and reading for me.
I’m sorry I haven’t seen you for a while, not since I dropped by to return my mother’s books and card on the morning of her funeral. You’re called a hub now, and because you’re still at the centre of the community, that may well be the right word. But to me you’ll always be Rhiwbina Library, in much the same way as Cardiff will always be home. And I’m sure there’s a new generation of children as thirsty for words as I was. And still am.
Yours very sincerely,
Eva
More about Eva Glyn
Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction to whisk you away to fascinating destinations with their own stories to tell.
Set mainly in Croatia, her contemporary novels are more about friendship than romance, the coming together of people through shared interests – especially a love of books – and the opportunity to make fresh starts in their lives.
She has written seven novels for One More Chapter, the most recent being the best-selling The Dubrovnik Book Club, The Santorini Writing Retreat, and The Croatian Island Library which is published in January 2026.
Although she considers herself Welsh, Eva lives in Cornwall with the man she met and fell in love with more than thirty years ago. She also writes as Jane Cable.
More about The Croatian Island Library:
Where books are borrowed, friendships are forged and secrets uncovered…
As a beautiful summer unfolds in the Croatian islands, Ana Meštrović embarks on a new venture – transforming her beloved catamaran into a floating library.
Joined by crew members Lloyd, a widower whose past threatens to overshadow everything, and Natali, a young mechanic afraid of her own shadow, the newly formed trio all have their own powerful reasons for needing the travelling library to be a success.
As they explore stunning coastlines and visit picturesque harbours, they learn that, sometimes, the most profound changes happen not just in the pages of a book, but in the bonds formed along the way…
Readers love The Croatian Island Library!
‘This story of friendship and self-discovery is peopled by characters you’ll be happy to make friends with’ Maisie Thomas, bestselling author
‘Deeply emotional, utterly enchanting, and wonderfully escapist’ Isabelle Broom, author of The Summer Trip
‘A beautiful heartwarming story, loved the characters and the author truly transports you to Croatia’
Click on the book to find out more:
Eva Glyn’s Croatian novels are enchanting and have all earned five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐from me. I can’t wait to indulge in another escape to Croatia.