Men in Love by Irvine Welsh
With the trainspotting crew spread between Leith, London and Amsterdam, this is a propulsive sequel with plenty of dark humour but with an emotional punch. Men in Love is grubby, gripping, and unexpectedly moving.
Air - John Boyne
‘Air’ is the fourth novella in John Boyne’s ‘Elements’ series, and it’s somewhat apt that we find Aaron Umber and his son Emmett 30,000 feet above the ground on a long haul flight. Emmett is unaware they are going to meet someone from his fathers past, but can they bridge the gap that exists between them first?
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata - Book Review
Keiko is a 36 year old convenience store worker in Tokyo under pressure to conform - why isn’t she married with a career? Darkly humorous and thought provoking social critique on modern Japan.
True Love by Paddy Crewe
Set in the North of England, ‘True love’ by Paddy Crewe is about Finn and Keely, both struggling to find connection in their lives, in this gritty and poignant book about grief, loneliness and love.
North Woods by Daniel Mason
North Woods is the story of a plot of land in rural masachussets, told over 400 years and via 12 interconnected stories, ranging from painters to panthers.
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
‘Prophet song’ by Paul Lynch is the booker prize winning dystopian story of a right wing takeover and societal breakdown in Ireland. How real is it?
Book Review - Water by John Boyne
A woman arrives on a small island, shaves her hair and changes her name. What is she running from? John Boyne delivers again in this powerful novella about remorse, complicity and abuse of power.
Desert Flowers - Paul Pen
A couple live with their five daughters in the remote Baja California desert in Mexico. They live a tranquil existence until one day a hiker turns up looking for a glass of water…..
Ordinary Human Failings - Megan Nolan
A child is murdered on an estate in London, and attention falls on a Irish family who had previously kept to themselves. Megan Nolan’s superbly written second book is about ‘ordinary families’ who find themselves having to face their secrets.
Book Review - Close to Home by Michael Magee
Michael Magee’s debut novel is about a young man returning to Belfast, when an altercation at a party leads to his life spiralling out of control.
Book Review - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara Kingsolver’s updating of ‘David Copperfield’ is transposed to the modern day American South, told in the first person with exuberance and wit, is about surviving grinding poverty.
Book Review - The Colony - Audrey Magee
Set on an Island off the coast of Ireland in 1979, Audrey Magee’s lyrical novel is about imperialism, identity, art and self determination.
Book Review - The Queen of Dirt Island - Donal Ryan
Donal Ryan delivers again with this wonderfully written story about four generations of women living under one roof. It’s about love and loss, joy and grief, and all the stuff in between, but is mostly about family.
Book Review - Tennis Lessons - Susannah Dickey
Raw, funny and painfully honest story that follows the life of a young woman from childhood until adulthood. A strong coming of age debut from another talented Irish writer.
Book Review - Before my heart actually breaks - Tish Delaney
Funny and moving story about Mary Rattigan, a young Irish woman with plans who finds life taking a different turn. Engaging storytelling with lyrical prose.
Bad Relations - Cressida Connolly
Wonderfully written and well paced multi generational story that moves from the Crimean battlefields to an English summer in the seventies. An evocative, well paced story with interesting characters in a book I devoured in a couple of days.
Book Review - Grand Hotel Europa - Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
A book which uses the faded glory of the Grand Hotel Europa to tell a story of how the continent trades on it’s past but at the expense of what? Also looks at populism and tourism, it’s a long book but informative and readable.
Book Review - Young Mungo - Douglas Stuart
‘Shuggie Bain’ was an immersive reading experience, set in the Glasgow in the 80’s. ‘Young mungo’ takes place in the 90’s, but in the same setting. How does it compare?
Book review - Songbirds - Christy Lefteri
‘Songbirds’ tells the story of Nisha, a migrant worker who leaves her homeland to work as a nanny and maid in Cyprus, but who vanishes one evening. A book about the plight of the vulnerable and invisible in society.
Book Review - Utopia Avenue - David Mitchell
Four people come together 1960’s London to form a band in this exuberant and enjoyable novel about friendship, love and music, during a tumultuous period of social history. Lots of great cameos as well.
