Get Inspired: Our Book Club’s Top Picks for Ireland Reads!
Ireland Reads is here, and Portlaoise Library’s book club members have shared their favourite reads! Whether you're looking for something thrilling, heartwarming, or thought-provoking, check out their recommendations below.
Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary is the one book I always recommend. It's very readable but it works even better on audio (the narrator is amazing). Despite being Sci-fi it's very easy to follow with approachable science that doesn't seem overly far fetched. Added bonus - it's a very fun (often laugh out loud) read. Though I'd also have tissues close by.. It's one of
those books you mightn’t expect to even pick up and end up staying way too late to read.
The works on the movie adaptation have started so this could be an incentive to read it before it's on a big screen.
Recommended by: Kamila
2. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë.
Jane Eyre could be called a romance novel, but it is much more than that. It is an essential classic of English literature that must be read by every woman, and by any one who has ever stopped to think about the human mind and some of the big questions in life.
Recommended by: Dora
One of my favourite books from last year is James by Percival Everett. Initially I was reluctant to read a retelling of such an iconic book (Huckleberry Finn) but I needed have worried, it's magnificent, a masterpiece.
Recommended by: Stephen
4. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
One of my favourite books which I would love to recommend to young and adult readers is Markus Zusak novel, The Book Thief.
This is a historical novel narrated by Death. It follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who steals books and finds solas in words while navigating the horrors of war. The novel blends tragedy, hope and the power of storytelling during WWII through the eyes of a child.
As well, one very important aspect that I loved from this book is how German people sacrificing their lives were helping Jewish to escape from Nazi regime. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did!
Recommended by: Lilia
5. Solar Bones, by Mike McCormack
Although written in one sentence, it is a story of Marcus Conway’s life, his wife and 2 grown up children. The story is set during the crash of the early 2010s, its impact and the devastation. There is also beautiful moments when he sits in a cafe in “Westport” observes the customers, his club sandwich which had me tasting it. It is a sad book but so beautifully written. This book blew me away. I’ve read many good books but this one will stay with me. Once you get over the lack of sentences and chapters and loose your in the text, you’ll love it. Other recommendations: The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah & The Gentleman of Moscow, by Amor Towles
Recommended by: Mary
6. The Women, by Kristin Hannah
My recommendation is The Women, by Kristin Hannah. I took it on holidays last summer and spent many hours by the pool reading it. It's a story of war, Army service and the scars this can leave, but from a woman's perspective, which is rare. It helped that I was familiar with some of the places in California where the story begins, but I think its appeal would be great for anyone, even without this local connection. The characters, events and inner reactions are very well described. Although it's a thick book, it doesn't feel a chore to finish. The book shows a realistic picture of the Vietnam war era, the different experiences and evolving social opinions.
Recommended by: Cathy
7. The Reader, by Bernard Schlink
I found it to be quite moving and beautifully written. It deals with how people in post war Germany dealt with certain issues....secrets are revealed and relationships tested.
Recommended by: Fedelma
Want more? Browse these books and search for more on our online catalogue.
Or visit the library to pick up your next great read!