25 Books To Take You On An Armchair Journey Of Eire

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

At A Look: coming of age, literary fiction, early 20-somethings, humor, Cork setting

When you like Sally Rooney (and truthfully even should you don’t as a result of I feel this does properly what some hate about Rooney) this can be a must-read! Only a delight of a novel and considered one of my FAVORITES I learn from final 12 months.

It’s set in Cork, Eire within the 2010’s and facilities round Rachel — a university scholar — and her new greatest good friend and roommate James as they attempt to navigate coming into maturity, friendships, romance and extra!

It simply captures that point of your life so brilliantly — the messiness and FUN of figuring stuff out.

Felt like I used to be working the streets of Cork alongside them or huddled up within the bookstore — the setting actually comes alive and offers you a very good sense of place.

Nice in case you are searching for a e-book that takes place in Eire however is extra of a slice-of-life novel that places you within the setting than it being some large historic epic ABOUT Eire at a sure place in time. If that is sensible?

However I do suppose it does a very good job giving some context — economically and politically — to the occasions by which issues are occurring that these 20-somethings can be involved and affected by: the legal guidelines and battle surrounding abortion of the time and an financial recession occurring.

Regular Individuals by Sally Rooney

At A Look: literary fiction, coming of age, difficult relationship, Dublin

I personally actually get pleasure from Sally Rooney although her books appear to be fairly polarizing within the e-book neighborhood. I will even say, out of all of the books on this record, it IS set in Eire however I felt much less of the setting than most of the different books I’ve learn with an Irish setting on this record.

I nonetheless suppose it’s an amazing e-book set in Eire (Dublin particularly) — extremely suggest it. I used to be glued to the altering dynamics between Connell and Marianne as they navigate their teenage years (the place they’ve a secret relationship of types) and their time at Trinity School because the push and pull of their relationship continues.

When you appreciated the dynamics between Dexter and Emma in One Day, you would possibly get pleasure from this one. It’s fairly comparable in that regard.

Small Issues Like These by Claire Keegan

At A Look: novella, Christmas setting, Magdalen laundries, morality, 1985 small city Eire, braveness

I really feel like this e-book was in all places final 12 months and I picked it up across the holidays 1) as a result of it was tremendous quick and a couple of) it was set throughout Christmas-time. It’s set in 1985 — so you may technically label it historic fiction — nevertheless it feels extra literary fiction than style historic.

It’s facilities round a person named Invoice Furlong and the ladies of Eire’s Magdalen laundries and what he does when he discovers, when he makes a supply there round Christmas, when he finds out a secret there. (Truthfully it’s about a lot extra however I want you to simply uncover it for your self).

Invoice Furlong — the person that you’re! This was quick however actually makes a big effect and is crammed with quiet braveness.

Coming in at 128 pages, it’s a excellent quick e-book membership e-book particularly through the holidays!

Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman

At A Look: humorous household drama, multi-generational, dysfunctional household, Dublin

The Gogarty household — what a sizzling mess however really a memorable solid of characters (even after I actually didn’t like them).

It facilities round three generations of this rowdy Irish household within the midst of some main drama and dysfunction (and it isn’t simply the truth that the octogenarian granny has some sticky fingers).

It’s a kind of books to choose up should you like dysfunctional household dramas however you need one thing extra on the facet of sunshine and humorous than DARK and miserable (and that’s not all the time simple to seek out).

The Darkling Bride by Laura Andersen

At A Look: previous & current timelines, Irish Citadel setting, Gothic thriller, homicide

Again when this got here out I assumed it will be one other Tudor period e-book from Laura Andersen (should you haven’t learn something from her and you want that point interval I like to recommend!) however alas — she completely broke from that and I truthfully beloved it!

It’s onerous to categorize this e-book — it has each historic and modern threads, gothic vibes, homicide thriller and romance.

It may very well be thought of historic however I’m placing it within the common fiction part as a result of I feel readers who don’t gravitate in the direction of straight up historic fiction would love how this weaves the previous and the modern story line.

When it’s not within the current day it shifts from the Eighties and the Nineteen Nineties in Eire. All of it facilities round a thriller surrounding a now-dilapidated 700 12 months outdated Irish Citadel.

There’s been some suspicious deaths on the fort previously and a girl, cataloging the historic library earlier than the fort is offered, will get sucked into the secrets and techniques of the fort when she finds clues that may result in fixing the murders.

As you possibly can think about, the ambiance is simply improbable and transports you. When you can’t discover your technique to an Irish Citadel to wander round proper in the meanwhile, this e-book will definitely take you there.

What The Wind Is aware of by Amy Harmon

At A Look: historic romance, Eire in 1921, battle for Eire’s independence

I used to be simply speaking about how a lot I like Amy Harmon’s e-book in my put up masking new historic fiction out this 12 months (she has a brand new one!) and now I simply actually need to re-read this unimaginable e-book.

When you actually desire a e-book that can transport you to Eire, that is positively one to choose. It additionally boasts an amazing romance and actually places you within the midst of Eire’s battle for independence.

I don’t need to say an excessive amount of as a result of I feel the much less element the higher.

It’s a couple of lady whose beloved grandfather dies so she goes to unfold his ashes in Eire in his homeland that he shared a lot about along with her.

However her journey to Eire goes awry when she’s pulled into the previous and finds herself in 1920’s Eire — a time of political and civil unrest for Eire — however she finds her personal causes for assuming the id of a girl from that point interval.

Nice for followers of Outlander and don’t fear should you don’t “do” time journey — that factor may be very mild and simply the automobile to the story that performs out.

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

At A Look: historic fiction, 1918 setting, Dublin, Spanish Flu Pandemic

I beloved Room by Emma Donoghue however when this got here out in 2020 I used to be NOT going to examine a pandemic whereas we had been residing by way of one. So I put this one off a bit — and I feel it was the correct resolution for me on the time — however I’m so glad I lastly got here again to it.

It’s a couple of nurse who works within the maternity ward of an understaffed hospital the place she should preserve herself and these ladies quarantined in her ward secure as a horrible flu sweeps by way of Eire.

It’s intense and actually drops you into the entrance strains of it — reads very thriller-like at occasions and really claustrophobic at occasions. However there’s coronary heart and resilience and lightness in it too.

I really feel like had this e-book been out a 12 months earlier than we endured the occasions of 2020 I might have learn it so in another way. Experiencing historical past just like the one you might be studying about offers such a distinct perspective on it.

HIGHLY suggest this one.

P.S. Her e-book The Marvel can also be set in Eire.

The Lady From Ballymor by Kathleen McGurl

At A Look: Irish Potato Famine (with a gift setting), County Cork, household thriller, motherhood

A girl is researching her household historical past and finds herself intrigued by the mom of considered one of her ancestors, who he painted usually, and who disappeared and not using a hint. She throws herself into – whereas making an attempt to run away from a few of her personal life stuff – the seek for solutions to this thriller.

Up to now, we meet the younger widowed lady and mom through the famine and study the sacrifices she made within the midst of nice struggling and what did occur to her all these years in the past.

It actually drops you into the plight of that point in case you are searching for a e-book that facilities round that period.

Manufacturing facility Ladies by Michelle Gallen

At A Look: literary fiction, 1990’s, Northern Eire, The Troubles, coming of age

I noticed somebody say to learn this should you beloved Derry Ladies (particularly Michelle) and, having lately completed the ultimate season of that present and loving Michelle, I needed to decide it up.

It hit a few of what I hoped to get out of a e-book in comparison with Derry Ladies although it was usually darker than Derry Ladies. Not as light-hearted and the humor was completely different for me in some methods.

I appreciated one other search for younger folks making an attempt to dwell life throughout The Troubles. It in all probability gave me much more of perception really of the time than the present however I can’t say I fell in love with the characters AS MUCH if I’m being trustworthy although I used to be actually drawn to their tales.

A very nice story a couple of group of ladies coming of age and planning their futures amidst the turbulence in Northern Eire on the time. They get a job collectively at a manufacturing facility to save lots of up cash and spend time collectively whereas additionally ready for the outcomes of the exams that can decide this future path.

The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor

At A Look: literary fiction, 1920’s and past, grief, household saga

I learn this as a part of a web based e-book membership I used to be a part of means again within the day and I’m so glad I picked it up as a result of, on the time, it wasn’t one thing I in all probability would have picked up by myself.

When you love following a personality’s life all through a protracted time frame of their life — from childhood to elder years– it’s important to learn this sweeping story.

The story begins in 1921 with Lucy’s mother and father deciding that they will go away Eire as a result of concern of hurt to come back and 9 12 months outdated Lucy, confused and never wanting to go away her house, decides in hopes to persuade them to vary their thoughts.

The choice she makes snowballs and results in her mother and father believing she is lifeless — and her mom so heartbroken she’ll by no means need to return to Eire as soon as they go away — and Lucy rising up with out them however ready for them to return.

It’s a slow-moving story however you possibly can really feel the melancholy and the haunted existence of those characters because of this misunderstanding.

The Lady within the Citadel by Santa Montefiore
(Also called The Irish Lady now)

At A Look: historic household saga, collection, early 1900s in Eire, West Cork, romance

This one was a random library decide off the shelf and it surpassed what I assumed I would get out of it. I used to be immediately swept away to an Irish fort within the countryside with this solid of characters: particularly Kitty, Birdie and Jack. (And Celia however you possibly can inform e-book 2 is about as much as see her extra).

It’s set through the battle for Irish independence and facilities round these characters by way of a long time — their difficult relationships, their response to the political battle and secrets and techniques and lies that have an effect on all of them.

I noticed somebody say it was a very good one for followers of Downton Abbey and, having lastly binge watched that collection, I can DEFINITELY see the comp for positive.

I nonetheless must learn the opposite two books — I’m so scattered with collection, y’all.

Off The Map by Trish Doller

At A Look: street journey, adventures, opposites appeal to

I’ve been a fan of Trish Doller since her YA debut however I’m severely obsessed along with her grownup books!

They’re the proper mix of romance and “ladies’s fiction” and I simply can’t say sufficient nice stuff concerning the Beck Sisters collection.

They’ll all be learn as standalone for positive however this one facilities round Eamon (who we meet in Float Plan) and Carla (Anna’s greatest good friend in Float Plan) and it takes place at Anna and Keane’s wedding ceremony in Eire.

Eamon, the perfect man and brother of the groom, is tasked with selecting up Carla, the Maid of Honor and bride’s bff, from the airport. Chemistry is immediate between dependable and family-centered Eamon and free-spirited Carla and a easy street journey throughout Eire as a result of the journey of a life time.

It was an amazing romance and street journey journey however I beloved this concept of ~house~ that was explored and what it meant for each of them and what it grew to imply. A lot self-discovery and development on this one (like within the others).

My Life In Shambles by Karina Halle

At A Look: spicy romance, faux relationship, small Irish village setting, extra angsty/emotional romance

I used to be launched to Karina Halle’s books as a result of a good friend, again within the day, used to edit her books. I devoured Love, In English and I principally have loved all the pieces since them (some greater than others).

This one is unquestionably one which labored for me: Eire setting + faux courting + Irish rugby participant male lead + sizzling mess feminine lead + memorable facet characters. And, whew, it was horny (and emotional at occasions).

It’s a couple of lady whose life is kind of actually falling aside so she seizes the day and goes to Dublin to ring within the New 12 months along with her sisters.

She meets a person at a bar — a well-known rugby participant going by way of his personal stuff — they usually have a memorable evening collectively.

When he asks her an uncommon favor, she says sure within the spirit of claiming sure to new adventures: YES she’s going to accompany him again house to his small village and fake to be his fiance.

One Evening on the Island by Josie Silver

At A Look: distant Irish island, pressured proximity, enemies to lovers

This one was enjoyable but additionally emotional at occasions! One other win from this creator for me.

It’s about two folks — each heading to this distant Irish island to get away from their very own life for various causes — who discover out that the cottage they booked has really been double-booked in a mishap and they’re pressured to remain there collectively till the subsequent weekly ferry arrives.

Neither are comfortable about this improvement — and discover themselves at odds always as they attempt to survive staying on this cottage collectively — till the times go by they usually discover that one another’s firm isn’t so dangerous in any respect.

The connection development and the self-discovery points had been so good however I additionally actually beloved the setting and the secondary characters we meet on this little city.

Within the Woods by Tana French

At A Look: police procedural, literary thriller, collection, Dublin setting

I simply talked about this one lately after I shared a few of my favourite thrillers/mysteries extra on the literary facet. I like this collection a lot — dive into the streets of Dublin and its suburbs with the Dublin Homicide Squad detectives.

It’s a 6 e-book collection so it’s enjoyable to get misplaced into the mysteries/instances but additionally into the improbable writing and actually layered characters.

Within the Woods is the primary e-book within the collection and a latest case has an eerie similarity to a case from the 1980’s that affected one of many detectives.

I additionally extremely suggest The Searcher by Tana French which can also be set in Eire! The second e-book of this thriller collection is popping out in 2024!

The Visitor Record by Lucy Foley

At A Look: “locked room” homicide thriller, wedding ceremony, remoted island setting

That is all the time one I like to recommend on audiobook: it’s a full solid audiobook and it’s very well completed. And, truthfully, it’s filled with improbable Irish accents to actually set the temper in case you are searching for a e-book that takes place in Eire.

This one is about on a distant island off the west coast of Eire and it’s the weekend of an enormous lavish wedding ceremony — a weekend that turns darkish when a lifeless physique is found. It was very atmospheric of a setting — I might image the bogs, the steep cliffs with the wind howling and the crumbling relics of the island.

The Mountains Wild by Sarah Steward Taylor

At A Look: thriller, collection, lacking particular person, character-driven, Glenmalure setting

Fairly positive it was my good friend Lindsey’s overview of this e-book that put it on my radar and he or she didn’t let me down. I’ve solely learn the primary e-book of the collection nevertheless it was an amazing begin and I can’t wait to learn extra. To date it’s 4 books.

It’s about an American detective whose cousin Erin disappeared in Eire within the 90’s and now, 23 years later, she heads again to Eire as a result of a brand new improvement within the case surrounding one other lady’s disappearance and what was discovered on the crime scene.

It switches forwards and backwards between time and place (there’s additionally elements set in Lengthy Island along with Eire) nevertheless it’s tremendous atmospheric and I used to be PULLED into the thriller and it didn’t let up in any respect. It’s extra on the character-driven facet of thriller thrillers however I assumed it was compelling in each plot and characters.

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

At A Look: YA sapphic rom-com, meet cute turns summer season fling, ode to rom-coms

I advisable this lately on my record of greatest YA summer season romance books and I like an opportunity to suggest this one once more! It’s so improbable.

It’s about two teen ladies whose meet cute turns right into a summer season fling — a summer season fling with a DEFINITE finish when Fall arrives. However till that date the summer season fling ends, they resolve to have a summer season filled with rom-com worthy dates.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

At A Look: romance, sibling story, street journey

Love & Gelato took us to Italy and this e-book, centered Lina’s greatest good friend Addie, takes us to Eire. These books are simply the cutest YA romances (and armchair travels!) and this may be learn as a standalone with out having learn Lina’s story (although you do get cameos from Lina).

Addie is more than pleased to place an ocean between her life at house and head along with her household to Eire for her aunt’s wedding ceremony. After that, she and her brother are planning to move to Italy to go to her bff Lina.

However issues go awry and he or she finds herself on a street journey all through Eire along with her brother Ian (who she’s been combating with like loopy) and his cute Irish good friend Rowan.

It’s a candy romance and a enjoyable street journey however I actually loved the story between Addie and her brother, too! If I’m being trustworthy the setting wasn’t as vivid to me as Love & Gelato however I actually loved my romp by way of Eire.

Hani and Ishu’s Information To Pretend Relationship by Adiba Jaigirdar

At A Look: YA romance, faux courting, poisonous friendship, racism, South Asian leads, bisexuality

I consider most of Abida Jaigirdar’s books are set in Eire (that is the primary I’ve learn however I’ve The Henna Wars and The Dos and Donuts of Like to my TBR) and never set in Eire in a “lady goes on trip in Eire” means. Her characters really dwell there.

This one was so cute — it’s about two bisexual teenagers (complete opposites of each other) who each have their very own causes for getting in a faux relationship collectively.

Whereas being an excellent cute romance it additionally delves into biphobia and a few of the issues these two Bengali teenagers expertise being a minority in a really White society/college.

I feel their experiences of being a minority in Eire was one of many issues that basically makes this an fascinating learn for folks books with an Irish setting. I all the time love a very good ambiance and FEEL for being there however I additionally actually admire understanding tradition/social problems with a setting.

This one did a very good job at exploring a few of the problems with being a queer minority teen whereas additionally nonetheless additionally being a enjoyable and light-weight romance. Excellent steadiness for me!

Sisters Of Belfast by Melanie Maure
Out Now

At A Look: WW2 (and put up WW2), twin sisters, orphanage

One in every of my most anticipated new historic fiction novels for 2024! It simply got here out in February and it’s set in Eire throughout and after WW2.

It facilities round two twin sisters who’ve been orphaned after a bombing. On the orphanage they cope with mistreatment and different issues, issues the opposite doesn’t even find out about, they usually grow to be separated from each other for many years — till a lot later when they’re reunited and study the secrets and techniques of the trail and what the opposite endured whereas they had been aside.

The Misplaced Letters of Aisling by Cynthia Ellingsen
Out April 1, 2024

At A Look: historic fiction, household secrets and techniques, twin timelines (Dublin 1945; current)

It’s a couple of lady whose grandmother falls ailing and makes a request to be taken again to her house of Eire that she left after WW2 to go to America. The journey uncovers secrets and techniques, from a long time outdated letters, from her grandmother’s life — which we study within the chapters dedicated to her grandmother as a younger lady.

The Alternate options by Caoilinn Hughes
Out April 16, 2024

At A Look: modern literary fiction, household drama, sisters, Irish countryside setting

The story of 4 sisters — who grew to become orphaned at a younger age and at present not as shut as they was — who’ve reconnected and are coming again collectively in Eire to when considered one of them has disappeared within the Irish countryside.

The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing
Out June 4, 2024

At A Look: steamy rom-com , Irishmore setting, hate-at-first-sight,

This one appears so enjoyable!!

It’s a couple of grieving American lady who takes a summer season job on a whim and instantly runs right into a heartbroken (and grumpy) Irish chef who has returned house to his small city from Dublin. The conflict between the 2 begins instantly and their rivalry and disdain for each other heats up each time their path crosses over the summer season — till the rivalry isn’t the one factor heating up between them.

The Coast Highway by Alan Murrin
Out June 2024

At A Look: 1994 Eire, marriage & divorce, small city setting

This one appears so fascinating to me — it’s set through the battle to legalize divorce in Eire which didn’t occur till 1997?? A indisputable fact that form of shocks me excited about the truth that my mother and father had divorced right here within the States round that point after I was a child so it’s wild to consider that they had been combating for the correct divorce round that point in Eire.

The principle plot follows two ladies in a small seaside Irish city in Donegal, trapped in very completely different circumstances marriage-wise, who discover a friendship with each other whereas they each attempt to discover their freedom. It explores their very own push for freedom amidst the bigger backdrop of the divorce referendum country-wide.