Home Stretch... About the Book: Shame and longing can flow through generations, but the secrets of the heart will not be buried for ever. It is 1987 and a small Irish community is preparing for a wedding. The day before the ceremony a group of young friends, including bride and groom, drive out to the … Continue reading Book Review: Home Stretch by Graham Norton
Irish Fiction
Book Review: The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
The Pull of the Stars... About the Book: In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city centre, where expectant mothers who have come down with an unfamiliar Flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the … Continue reading Book Review: The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Book Review: The Wild Laughter by Caoilinn Hughes
The Wild Laughter... About the Book: It's 2008, and the Celtic Tiger has left devastation in its wake. For Hart and Cormac life continues as normal - at least at first. But when their father falls ill, the boys face a devastating choice. Their family, and their community, are in crisis, and there's nothing more … Continue reading Book Review: The Wild Laughter by Caoilinn Hughes
Book Review: You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around Here by Frances Macken
You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around Here… About the Book: Katie has always been content to exist in the shadow of her intoxicating best friend Evelyn. In their small Irish village, Evelyn's confidence and glamour are enough to make up for her haughty, unpredictable character, and Katie never questions that their friendship will … Continue reading Book Review: You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around Here by Frances Macken
Book Review: The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney
The Glorious Heresies... About the Book: A big, bold debut from a true new Irish talent. WINNER OF THE BAILEYS' WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2016 WINNER OF THE DESMOND ELLIOT PRIZE 2016 We all do stupid things when we're kids. Ryan Cusack's grown up faster than most - being the oldest of six with a … Continue reading Book Review: The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney
Book Review: Pushing Her Luck by B R Maycock
Pushing Her Luck... About the Book: Holly Caulfield has won the Irish National Lottery and sets in motion a plan to save the village of Abbeyglen. But who would have thought that giving money away could be so difficult? With a resident’s association that’s clamouring for more and more money, an old lady who’s decided … Continue reading Book Review: Pushing Her Luck by B R Maycock
Book Review: The Family Gift by Cathy Kelly
The Family Gift... About the Book: Freya Abalone has a big, messy, wonderful family, a fantastic career, and a new house. But that's on the outside. On the inside, she's got Mildred - the name she's given to that nagging inner critic who tells us all we're not good enough. And now Freya's beloved blended … Continue reading Book Review: The Family Gift by Cathy Kelly
Book Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People... About the Book: Winner: 2019 Novel of the Year and Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, and the 2018 Costa Novel Award: Sally Rooney set the books world buzzing in 2017 with her debut Conversations With Friends. Normal People is a girl-meets-boy story with a difference, interrogating the difficulties of … Continue reading Book Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney
#BookBingo – Round 6
One of the things I love about book bingo is that I often get to feature for a second time books I have recently appreciated and highly recommend. None more so than this week's selection. Themes of Culture: A River in the Trees by Jacqueline O'Mahony ‘It was already completely bright in the room; the … Continue reading #BookBingo – Round 6
New Release Book Review: When All is Said by Anne Griffin
When All is Said… About the Book: Five toasts. Five people. One lifetime. 'I'm here to remember - all that I have been and all that I will never be again.' At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He's alone, as usual - though tonight is … Continue reading New Release Book Review: When All is Said by Anne Griffin
