Welcome to Litsy!

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

While there was some interesting aspects of Ireland in the Middle Ages discussed here, this book got too bogged down in Rome and its fall (like 40% into the book before we get to Ireland) and the author‘s concept of “civilization” is definitely Eurocentric (Irish scribes saved Roman literature, basically). But I learned a lot about St. Patrick and Irish monastic culture, which was interesting.🤔

Recent acquisitions:

📖 The Last of the Celts by Marcus Tanner
📖 High Road to England by Richard Faber

#UniteAgainstBookBans #LetUtahRead

While the wealthy English were happy to take on large tracts of Irish land, English tradesmen and workers were not interested in resettlement. Why go to an island famous for its murderous upheavals and banditry, especially with the more lucrative and appealing prospect of the New World only an ocean-crossing away?

2.5 Stars • The Burning of Bridget Cleary by Angela Bourke is a historical account of a tragic event in 1895 Ireland. Bridget Cleary, a young woman, was killed by her husband and family members who believed she was a changeling, a fairy imposter. The incident sparked public outrage and was used to highlight the superstitions prevalent in rural Ireland at the time.

Readers who enjoyed this might also enjoy:

-- Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
-- Four Shots In The Night by Henry Hemming
-- Anatomy of a Killing by Ian Cobain
-- Peacerunner by Penn Rhodeen

A very readable book about the N Irish conflict that destroyed lives and split a society in half. The bk focuses on the 'disappearance' of a Belfast mother by the IRA +follows the protagonists over the subsequent decades incl 2 particular members . It also reflects on the role of politicians esp Gerry Adams. A page turner + v informative but I'm unsure if the horror took 2nd place in favour of a thrilling read. An interesting reading experience.

There‘s a good chance husband and I will travel to England (to see family) and Ireland for a wee vacation before taking our daughter to study in Dublin. So of course I have to start reading all things Irish! So I‘m jumping in to a rather academic history.

@Cuilin #bookedintime

I did it! This was a chunkster. Physical and audio helped me get through it. There are so many characters! It spans from 430 AD to 1500ish. I thought it gave a good look at pre Christian Ireland and the move towards Christianity, from tribal life and politics to the Crown. He did an excellent job keeping the characters individualized and I didn't have any trouble following along. I loved how women were represented 👇

#weeklyforecast I have the tagged on audio for #BookedInTime made a huge dent in it yesterday while doing chores around the house, and am really enjoying it. Once I finish it I have A Day In The Life of Abed Salama.
Picking away at the Women's Prize, started The Maiden and so far I am liking it more than I thought I would.