pick#foodandlit I love Keegan‘s writing. Her stories are short and quiet but pack a lot of punch. This one is about a man named Furlong who grapples with his identity not knowing who his biological father is. It also weaves a storyline about the Magdalen laundries. Food wise I‘ve enjoyed a lot of Guinness and Jamison throughout the month and celebrated St Paddy‘s on vacay at the local pub in Estes Park with a reuben burger and chips. @Catsandbooks
so-soBill Furlong reconciles his own upbringing with the truth hidden in a small Irish town.
Concise ✨ Complicit ✨ Empathy
pickI‘m glad #FoodAndLit #Ireland got me to finally read this book that‘s been on my TBR forever. It takes place in Ireland around Christmas time in the 1980‘s. It‘s short, but impactful as the main character wrestles with what his life means and what he owes to others.
pickThis is a beautiful short story that takes place in Ireland in the 80‘s. I don‘t want to say much as it would spoil things. Lovely writing, I just wished for more. 4.5⭐️
panI wanted so bad to like this book! I waited for literal months to get it from my library. BUT I felt like I missed something when reading it. Everyone seems touched, moved or in tears while reading this, but I was bored. I couldn‘t relate to the characters, found bits confusing sometimes, and felt as if there was no plot at all. It felt lackluster. Or maybe I wasn‘t in the Christmas spirit? It is February after all.
pick“Always they carried mechanically on without pause to the next job at hand. What would life be like, he wondered, if they were given time to think and reflect over things? Might their lives be different or much the same - or would they just lose the run of themselves?”
My January wrap-up on Storygraph
This morning, I've updated all my readings from April 2024... a huge task! I'll try to keep up with it.
Overall, good reading month ;) Favorite book tagged.
pickClaire Keegan's writing is just excellent. Through it, she brings alive characters, places, thoughts. Not one unnecessary word, no fandangle. Everything is at the service of the story.
Based on the Magdalene laundries, institutions for “fallen women“ run by Roman Catholic orders, this novella brings to a wider audience the abuse suffered by these women, it's the power of fiction.
pickAhhh this was so good! A sweet, short tale of a man working hard to take care of his family and trying to pay it forward when others want him to look the other way. I know they‘ve made a movie based on this and now I really want to watch it! Might be my favorite of the month so far! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
pickA wonderful novella, just 2hrs long, taking place in Ireland, 1985. Bill Furlong is a kind, quiet man who was born to an unwed mother but shown kindness and care by his mother‘s employer. Now a successful adult with a good marriage, and five daughters of his own, he cannot help but contemplate compassion. He knows he is fortunate and always tries to pay it forward to others in need, even though his wife nags him about it. Bill stumbles upon…
Excellent book!
#12booksof2024
I think I‘m late to the bandwagon but I‘m reading this on HOOPLA???? Supported by my local library??? I‘m not sure what this app is, but there are also movies and comic books? I didn‘t have to wait several months to read this book?? Anyone else use hoopla?
Starting this Christmas gift from my husband tonight. We both plan to read it, then watch the movie starting the incredible, versatile, Cillian Murphy.
Trailer:
https://youtu.be/Nqwn5Y_Y4xs
https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65040492/
Small Things Like These (Oprah's Book Club) | 
