A Dash of Ireland for the Weekend

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day this weekend, today we will discuss some Irish reads. Remember, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! Why not celebrate with a great book?

Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks

After deciding to partake in a wager, Tony Hawks finds himself wandering through Ireland with an appliance as a travel mate. The bet is that Tony will travel Ireland with a mini fridge and the stories that follow are ridiculous and funny. This is a book that gives the reader a feel for Ireland and her people. Tony and his companion become celebrities and are taken in, cared for, and shown a good time throughout the journey. If you love a good drunk tale, funny Irishmen, and travel nonfiction give this rollicking book a try.
~Kristin M.

 

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy

 If you like the quaint, small-town idea of Ireland, Maeve Binchy is the author for you. All of her fiction books focus in on the community in a suburb outside of Dublin. One I recently read was Minding Frankie about the community pulling together to help a single father raise his baby. That was the main plot, but Binchy jumps into the minds of multiple characters, making for several sub-stories that intersect with the main. This type of varied viewpoint makes the reader feel like one of the community, being privy to the gossip of the town. Binchy’s writing emphasizes an Ireland that is welcoming, loving, and very appealing.



If those two aren't your style, check out some more books by these Irish authors:

• John Boyne has written 10 books, the best known of which is probably The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, made into a movie somewhat recently. He has won many awards and honors for his books.

• Frank Delaney writes fiction, nonfiction, and screenplays. His novels are historical, focusing on specific places in Ireland, and he uses the backdrop of history to bring about fascinating tales of love, family, and self-realization.

• Emma Donoghue is recently known for her bestseller Room, which focuses on a child confined to a single room with his mother in captivity. Donoghue writes both modern and historical fiction surrounding strong women and how they cope with their roles in society.

• Marian Keyes is what we might call a "chick-lit" author. That is, her books appeal primarily to women, and usually have a love story in them. One of her most popular reads is the Walsh Family series, which shows women coming into their own, becoming strong despite obstacles.

• If you are looking for supernatural or young adult books, Darren Shan writes some pretty impressive books. He has written a number of books for young adults, including Zom-B and the Cirque du Freak series. Shan writes a mix of humor and supernatural that is appealing to all ages.

• For something a little more classic, Oscar Wilde is great for underhanded wit, creativity, and a bit of education. His stories are still relevant, and he even wrote his own book of fairy tales.

~Cailey W.

For more recommendations, see the "Celebrating Ireland" display at the Main library.