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pUangem-tiussranbe­lres

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What is it that makes a truly engrossing read? Like all brilliant stories, it’s those written with depth and flair, and straight from the heart, that are the most memorable. Ahead of this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards,

we’ve chosen a selection of tomes that we couldn’t forget...

?? ?? THREE LITTLE TRUTHS BY EITHNE SHORTALL (CORVUS) This story centres on three very different women: Martha, once always in charge, finds herself lost and lagging behind as she moves her family to Dublin but won’t tell anyone why; former It girl Robin back at home with her parents and four-year-old son; and Edie with a picture-perfect life – or so it would seem. Longing for a baby with her husband avoiding the subject, Edie needs a distractio­n and soon finds herself playing neighbourh­ood sleuth. Meanwhile, Robin spends much of the time trying to avoid her ex and Martha still won’t talk about her mysterious move. So many secrets behind closed doors. It’s not long before they all come tumbling out. A charming and witty read.
THREE LITTLE TRUTHS BY EITHNE SHORTALL (CORVUS) This story centres on three very different women: Martha, once always in charge, finds herself lost and lagging behind as she moves her family to Dublin but won’t tell anyone why; former It girl Robin back at home with her parents and four-year-old son; and Edie with a picture-perfect life – or so it would seem. Longing for a baby with her husband avoiding the subject, Edie needs a distractio­n and soon finds herself playing neighbourh­ood sleuth. Meanwhile, Robin spends much of the time trying to avoid her ex and Martha still won’t talk about her mysterious move. So many secrets behind closed doors. It’s not long before they all come tumbling out. A charming and witty read.
?? ?? PARIS SYNDROME BY LUCY SWEENEY BYRNE (BANSHEE PRESS) In this debut collection of 11 short stories, travel is the central theme that connects each story. Lucy, our ever-changing protagonis­t, longs to escape the disappoint­ments and regrets of her life in Ireland. She seeks excitement, away from the humdrum of daily life, and hopes that with each new destinatio­n: Paris, New York, Mexico, she will find something. Something different or perhaps, a better version of herself. And yet, with every journey, there is still a sense of monotony; the narratives in each place seem listless. These are travels stripped of romanticis­m and she’s left with no option but to look inward. This is a beautiful book, as Lucy artfully documents her yearning to belong.
PARIS SYNDROME BY LUCY SWEENEY BYRNE (BANSHEE PRESS) In this debut collection of 11 short stories, travel is the central theme that connects each story. Lucy, our ever-changing protagonis­t, longs to escape the disappoint­ments and regrets of her life in Ireland. She seeks excitement, away from the humdrum of daily life, and hopes that with each new destinatio­n: Paris, New York, Mexico, she will find something. Something different or perhaps, a better version of herself. And yet, with every journey, there is still a sense of monotony; the narratives in each place seem listless. These are travels stripped of romanticis­m and she’s left with no option but to look inward. This is a beautiful book, as Lucy artfully documents her yearning to belong.
?? ?? TUNNEL VISION BY KEVIN BREATHNACH (FABER & FABER) The revival of the “Irish essayist” has seen a wealth of personal stories released this year, chief among them, this inventive collection. In this unique series, this talented writer offers his shrewd and sensitive, self-reflective perspectiv­e on relationsh­ips, sexual repression, addiction and masculinit­y. Standouts include the timely essays on photograph­y, which take a particular interest in the behaviour of male artists towards women. Among the drugs and latenight drinking is extreme sensitivit­y. Overall, it is not, in topic or in structure, what the reader might expect, but some essays are especially moving.
TUNNEL VISION BY KEVIN BREATHNACH (FABER & FABER) The revival of the “Irish essayist” has seen a wealth of personal stories released this year, chief among them, this inventive collection. In this unique series, this talented writer offers his shrewd and sensitive, self-reflective perspectiv­e on relationsh­ips, sexual repression, addiction and masculinit­y. Standouts include the timely essays on photograph­y, which take a particular interest in the behaviour of male artists towards women. Among the drugs and latenight drinking is extreme sensitivit­y. Overall, it is not, in topic or in structure, what the reader might expect, but some essays are especially moving.
?? ?? MY CONEY ISLAND BABY BY BILLY O’CALLAGHAN (JONATHAN CAPE) Michael, an Irish emigrant, and Caitlin, an Irish-American with writer’s block, have been meeting as lovers once a month for 25 years. They’re both unhappily married to other people, so Coney Island is their haven. Michael is married to Barbara, though the loss of their young son drives a wedge between them; and Caitlin has never felt she was truly loved until she met Michael. The novel unfolds over the course of six or seven hours, and the narrative swings between the past and present, between both characters’ perspectiv­es. After half a lifetime spent in secret, they must make a choice.
MY CONEY ISLAND BABY BY BILLY O’CALLAGHAN (JONATHAN CAPE) Michael, an Irish emigrant, and Caitlin, an Irish-American with writer’s block, have been meeting as lovers once a month for 25 years. They’re both unhappily married to other people, so Coney Island is their haven. Michael is married to Barbara, though the loss of their young son drives a wedge between them; and Caitlin has never felt she was truly loved until she met Michael. The novel unfolds over the course of six or seven hours, and the narrative swings between the past and present, between both characters’ perspectiv­es. After half a lifetime spent in secret, they must make a choice.
?? ?? SKIN BY EM REAPY (HEAD OF ZEUS) The follow-up to Reapy’s gripping debut, Red Dirt, centres on 31-year-old teacher Natalie, who feels lost. She travels extensivel­y to Bali, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, the Netherland­s, Dublin and other parts of Ireland, but though she explores the differing world around her, she never gives herself a break. Her self-criticism is continuous­ly present throughout, her experience­s hampered by the bulk of her thoughts and interactio­ns. At the start of her travels, they are almost all focused on food, her weight, her binge-eating and her desperate insecuriti­es about her body. Gradually, however, as she journeys on, her selfobsess­ion lulls as new places and people come to life – as she begins to make peace with herself. This novel explores different cultures, body-shaming, and the breaking down of stereotype­s in a wonderfull­y evocative way.
SKIN BY EM REAPY (HEAD OF ZEUS) The follow-up to Reapy’s gripping debut, Red Dirt, centres on 31-year-old teacher Natalie, who feels lost. She travels extensivel­y to Bali, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, the Netherland­s, Dublin and other parts of Ireland, but though she explores the differing world around her, she never gives herself a break. Her self-criticism is continuous­ly present throughout, her experience­s hampered by the bulk of her thoughts and interactio­ns. At the start of her travels, they are almost all focused on food, her weight, her binge-eating and her desperate insecuriti­es about her body. Gradually, however, as she journeys on, her selfobsess­ion lulls as new places and people come to life – as she begins to make peace with herself. This novel explores different cultures, body-shaming, and the breaking down of stereotype­s in a wonderfull­y evocative way.
?? ?? ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES AN AISLING BY EMER MCLYSAGHT & SARAH BREEN (GILL BOOKS) Aisling is turning 30 and, by all accounts, should be delighted with life, being a “proper grown-up”. In reality, life is nowhere near as glamorous as she thought it would be. She should be feeling flirty, but instead spends most of the time feeling frazzled. Her heart is broken and even though business is booming, it’s tough keeping her café afloat, especially when her best friend Majella is expecting the hen of the century. As B-day approaches, Aisling has to make a tough decision. Will she be able to handle it (again) without being a complete Aisling? She’s back with a bang and her third outing is the best yet. Laugh-out-loud funny.
ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES AN AISLING BY EMER MCLYSAGHT & SARAH BREEN (GILL BOOKS) Aisling is turning 30 and, by all accounts, should be delighted with life, being a “proper grown-up”. In reality, life is nowhere near as glamorous as she thought it would be. She should be feeling flirty, but instead spends most of the time feeling frazzled. Her heart is broken and even though business is booming, it’s tough keeping her café afloat, especially when her best friend Majella is expecting the hen of the century. As B-day approaches, Aisling has to make a tough decision. Will she be able to handle it (again) without being a complete Aisling? She’s back with a bang and her third outing is the best yet. Laugh-out-loud funny.
?? ?? THE NARROW LAND BY CHRISTINE DWYER HICKEY (ATLANTIC PRESS) It’s 1950 and late summer on Cape Cod. Michael, a ten-year-old boy, is spending the season with Richie and his glamorous but troubled mother. But he has troubles of his own; repressed flashbacks; urged not to speak German, to speak of the pain of war. Soon the boys form a bond, and another unlikely friendship is forged when they meet a couple living nearby – the artists Jo and Edward Hopper. Unwell and depressed by his inability to find inspiratio­n, Edward becomes increasing­ly withdrawn, while his wife grows increasing­ly volatile; her own identity suppressed by his success and talent. Jo is obsessive and overbearin­g in equal measure, furious that her husband may be besotted with another. She does not know that it is with Richie’s frail and beautiful Aunt Katherine, who has not long to live – an infatuatio­n he shares with young Michael. An enchanting, slow-burner of a novel.
THE NARROW LAND BY CHRISTINE DWYER HICKEY (ATLANTIC PRESS) It’s 1950 and late summer on Cape Cod. Michael, a ten-year-old boy, is spending the season with Richie and his glamorous but troubled mother. But he has troubles of his own; repressed flashbacks; urged not to speak German, to speak of the pain of war. Soon the boys form a bond, and another unlikely friendship is forged when they meet a couple living nearby – the artists Jo and Edward Hopper. Unwell and depressed by his inability to find inspiratio­n, Edward becomes increasing­ly withdrawn, while his wife grows increasing­ly volatile; her own identity suppressed by his success and talent. Jo is obsessive and overbearin­g in equal measure, furious that her husband may be besotted with another. She does not know that it is with Richie’s frail and beautiful Aunt Katherine, who has not long to live – an infatuatio­n he shares with young Michael. An enchanting, slow-burner of a novel.
?? ?? OVERCOMING BY VICKY PHELAN (HACHETTE BOOKS IRELAND) Vicky Phelan frequently insists she’s no superwoman, yet it’s difficult to think of her as anything but after reading her powerful memoir. It’s her strength that saw her a reluctant warrior in the CervicalCh­eck scandal; she would not be silenced. She refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement in the settlement of her action against the HSE and her battle began, but she had been fighting during different moments of her life, too. She details her life growing up and then, early brushes with tragedy, including the major car incident in which she shattered her pelvis and nearly lost her life. Throughout it all, she remains determined and most importantl­y, hopeful. Compelling.
OVERCOMING BY VICKY PHELAN (HACHETTE BOOKS IRELAND) Vicky Phelan frequently insists she’s no superwoman, yet it’s difficult to think of her as anything but after reading her powerful memoir. It’s her strength that saw her a reluctant warrior in the CervicalCh­eck scandal; she would not be silenced. She refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement in the settlement of her action against the HSE and her battle began, but she had been fighting during different moments of her life, too. She details her life growing up and then, early brushes with tragedy, including the major car incident in which she shattered her pelvis and nearly lost her life. Throughout it all, she remains determined and most importantl­y, hopeful. Compelling.

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