pickI enjoyed this collection of pandemic stories, even though---like the days during lockdown---the stories tend to blend into one another. In these stories, Doyle explores with sensitivity issues of connection, estrangement, vulnerability, mental illness, substance abuse, and grief. I know a lot of people still don't like revisiting that time, but I find it intriguing and therapeutic to look back at those years that have influenced so much.
pickSolid pick. Rural Ireland crime drama with believable flawed characters; great writing.
#Nov2024 Book107 #audiobook #DogsofLitsy #CopperBopper #whpg #Autumn #MyStreet
pick4.0 ⭐️
This was a great conclusion to the book installments of this series. It surprised me how much darker this was than the other books and even the series. I loved the amount of #Irish #folklore in this and even the tie in to Chicago‘s St Patty‘s celebrations. I wish there were more in their series but I‘m really happy with how this ended.
#ToBwaiting These are a few titles being talked about for possible inclusion for next March‘s Tournament of Books. We should see the Long List in a couple of weeks.
I do hope Poor Deer is selected- I am enjoying the audiobook. Wild Houses was offered as an Audible freebie (or discount - can‘t recall) so I have it up for a listen soon.
pickA deceptively sophisticated book about unrequited love, self-sacrifice, and the seemingly impossible task of trying to be true to oneself while doing right by others and becoming part of a community. The protagonist is a smut writer dealing with the impending death of a beloved aunt on the one hand and birth of an unwanted child on the other. Full of fantastic dialogue and insightful observations that feel wholly organic, never forced or tacked-on
Recent acquisitions (gifts from my friend Shawn):
📖 Seven Victorian Poets by David Wright
📖 O'Brien Pocket History of Ireland by Breandán Ó hEithir
#UniteAgainstBookBans and #LetUtahRead
Unfortunately, I‘m already back from #Ireland 🇮🇪☘️but I had such a wonderful time & got really lucky with the weather too! These are all my purchases. I really recommend the EPIC Museum on Irish Emigration & Trinity College Tour. The bus trip to the Cliffs of Moher & Gallway was fantastic too. I loved all the Irish fiction sections in the many indy bookstores. I‘ll be back!
#holiday #Dublin #bookhaul
pickI don‘t usually read older books which made it a little hot if a difficult read. 10/10 nonetheless
pickThe New York Review of Books usually hits it out of the park with their reprints and this novel by late author John McGahern is no exception. Set in Ireland during the 70's, a struggling writer publishes erotica to make ends meet while caring for his ailing aunt. Enter a one sided affair with an older woman and our protagonist drowns himself in drink as he reflects on his life in this literary book of love, loss, and longing.
