Scanlan had worked in public libraries in Dublin before becoming a full-time writer and was acutely aware of the literacy problems facing a large segment of the adult population and the dearth of appropriate reading material available to them.
These include: a discernible plot; a few, well-developed characters; simple language with the occasional challenging word; and short chapters, to create the feel and structure of "regular" novels.
These characteristics of the texts have also endeared them to students learning English as a foreign language, and they are gradually being marketed as such, with co-editions containing glossaries being produced by German ELT publisher Cornelsen as of 2006.
[citation needed] Sad Song - Vincent Banville In High Germany - Dermot Bolger Not Just For Christmas - Roddy Doyle Maggie's Story - Sheila O'Flannagan Billy and Jesus are Off to Barcelona - Deirdre Purcell Ripples - Patricia Scanlan No Dress Rehearsal - Marian Keyes Joe’s Wedding - Gareth O’Callaghan The Comedian - Joseph O’Connor Second Chance - Patricia Scanlan Pipe Dreams - Anne Schulmanl Old Money, New Money - Peter Sheridan An Accident Waiting to Happen - Vincent Banville The Builders - Maeve Binchy Letter from Chicago - Cathy Kelly Driving with Daisy - Tom Nestor It All Adds Up - Margaret Neylon Has Anyone Here Seen Larry?
- Deirdre Purcell Fair-Weather Friend - Patricia Scanlan The Story of Joe Brown - Rose Doyle The Smoking Room - Julie Parsons World Cup Diary - Niall Quinn The Quiz Master - Michael Scott Stray Dog - Gareth O'Callaghan Mrs. Whippy - Cecelia Ahern 'Mad Weekend - Roddy Doyle Behind Closed Doors - Sarah Webb Secrets - Patricia Scanlan Not a Star - Nick Hornby The Underbury Witches - John Connolly