irish books recommended by an irish reader ☘️📚

[@funcake99]

Thanks Aisling for compiling this list. I had a Irish literature seminar at uni but the most 'contemporary' pieces of literature we read were by Eavan Boland and Edna O'Brien. So I definitely want to read more contemporary fiction and poetry!

[@aiscahill]

I'm such a bad Irish reader because I haven't read most of the infamous Irish books. I've yet to pick up any Boland or O' Brien, believe it or not. There's such a wealth of really great contemporary from this little island though - I hope you find some works that you really enjoy ☺️

[@emmacauvin]

Thank you for all these interesting recommendations! I recently moved to Ireland and would love to deep dive into Irish literature ☘️

[@aiscahill]

You're most welcome! Thanks for watching. I hope that so far Ireland has been treating you really well ☺️

[@emmacauvin]

@@aiscahill it definitely has, thank you 😊

[@layalialsudairy9992]

Loved your list! I’ve read foster and small things like these and I loved them so much. Foster is my favorite this year and I listened to it on audio and it was superb. I think Claire Kegan is going to be my favorite author. I’ve added constellations from your list. Thank you for this list

[@aiscahill]

Keegan is SUCH a special author. She wows me with what she can achieve in so few words. I read somewhere that all of her published works total about 150,000 words which is so minuscule when you count how many books she has published, and so incredible given the punch she packs in her works. I really hope you enjoy Constellations. Gleeson recently published her debut novel, too. I've been hearing good things about it and hope to get to it after my current read ☺️

[@Bonitolibro]

I am obsessed with A ghost in the throat, though it’s definitely different. It’s also experimental, raw, poetic and so so powerful. I was blown away by it , even though I read it as Spanish translation. I have now bought the original in English and cannot wait to read it again.

[@aiscahill]

To me it sounded like a book that I wouldn't enjoy but I'm so glad that I picked it up because I can honestly say that I've never read anything like it. I hope that you enjoy your reread!

[@LeanneRose]

This is SUCH a great list 💖 Delighted to have found another Irish BookTuber too! x

[@aiscahill]

Thanks so much! 💕

[@niallgoulding122]

Just came across this video and really enjoyed it. Never heard of a ghost in the throat before but you have me intrigued! Nice to see a list of irish books that doesnt regurgitate the same old classics

[@aiscahill]

Thanks for watching, Niall ☺️

[@Mysteriesandmountains]

Love this list! I need to read these authors! 💚

[@BrookieLikesCars]

Found your channel through this video, im excited to read a few of these books and learn more about Ireland from Irish fiction ❤

[@aiscahill]

Thanks so much for watching ☺️

[@dorotheafinan2419]

Lovely list. I would now add Trespasses by Louise Kennedy and The Narrow Land by Christine Dwyer Hickey. And Toibins new book Long Island is tremendous. Happy reading and thank you

[@aiscahill]

Thank you for the suggestions! I've yet to read Brooklyn, so won't read Long Island yet but I do really look forward to reading more of Tóibín's writing ☺️

[@t.k3025]

Just subscribed, from New England in the United States . Love your commentary. I have a few of these books in my book piles. My son gave me Ghost in the Throat, and I wasn’t sure I would read it, but you have convinced me to give it a go. I love anything by William Trevor, and I thought Milkman by Anna Burns was excellent craftsmanship in writing.

[@aiscahill]

Thanks so much for being here ☺️ Ghost is really quite a strange reading experience, and I honestly wasn’t sure about it when I started it but years later, I still find myself often thinking about it. It won’t be for everybody but I loved it. I haven’t read Milkman but I look forward to getting around to it sometime ☺️

[@studiocelestedesign]

I've never yet read Claire Keegan but as soon as you started describing the plot of Foster it kept getting nearer and nearer to the film The Quiet Girl which I made a point of seeing this Autumn, and so of course I googled and yes; the same! WHAT a gorgeous film; Claire's been on my list recently; can't wait to get my head into those pages. :) EDIT: Silly me I wrote this right before you literally explained it was made into the film. :P

[@aiscahill]

So far, all of her works that I've read have been equally as quiet and poignant as Foster. If you enjoyed The Quiet Girl, you should definitely give her a go! 😊

[@rosegreensummer]

south by colm toibin, the barracks by john mcgahern, and the lost soldier's song by patrick mcginley my favourites

[@aiscahill]

Oh I haven't read any of these but will for sure look into them. Thanks for the recommendations 😊

[@sniffingthesheets]

I completely agree about Normal People being so realistic. I haven't read the book but the series totally devastates me too. OMG Cillian Murphy in Small Things Like These!! That's exciting. This is such a great video idea, Aisling! I love it and I am keen to read more Irish fiction. Just finished How to Build a Boat which was great!

[@aiscahill]

The series was so good too. I watched it once and can never watch it again because it upset me too much 😅 It feels like you're on a roll with the good books lately, Bex 😊

[@sniffingthesheets]

@@aiscahill I know what you mean. I've put myself through it three times 👀

[@cakecogito]

"Constellations" is one of my favorite memoirs of all time. The audiobook is superb.

[@aiscahill]

It's truly a sublime book. I don't often reread books, but I'm hoping to return to this one soon.

[@marjoriedybec3450]

Delightful. Have you read Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett ? I think she is actually English, living in Ireland. Anyway, I found it incredibly creative and worth the read (its short) but I only gave it three stars despite its many strong merits. Curious what you think of it. (NOTE: It was among the top 10 books of 2022 in the NYTimes.) Also have you read "We Don't Know Ourselves" a non-fiction/memoir by Fintin OToole. I read it last year and found it incredibly interesting. But I'm not Irish. Wondering if he got it right? Discovered Claire Keegan this year. A gem. I definitely have added at least four from your list to my TBR. TY. Happy Christmas.

[@aiscahill]

I actually haven't but it's been one I've been tempted to pick up quite a few times. I haven't even heard of the O' Toole one but having looked it up, it sounds like something I'd really enjoy. Thanks so much! I hope you had a lovely Christmas too ☺️

[@cafeaulivre]

Such a great list, Aisling, can't say I have read any of those, so you'll be disastrous to my TBR again :D And how gorgeous is that cover on A Ghost in the Throat?!

[@aiscahill]

Isn't that what we're all here for, Bart. What TBR? 🤣 It's a beautiful book, both inside and out 😊

[@cafeaulivre]

@@aiscahill You're a bad influence and I love it!

[@mikalareads]

Omg i am SOOO excited for this video!!! I am getting out my notepad and pen now!!!❤ I absolutely need to read more from claire keegan!!! A ghost in the throat is so intriguing to me WOW! Such an interesting synopsis!!! I really enjoyed this video and love all the recommendations you provided!!! ❤️ I definitely want to read more Irish authors and literature!!!

[@aiscahill]

A ghost in the throat is so strange and also quite slow, so I can see why it's so divisive. I've spent so much of my life avoiding Irish literature for no real reason - I've actually read shamefully little of it. Just so many books to read and so little time 🥲❤️

[@dianabonisch605]

Love yr recommendations and immediately subscribed - have read Claire Keegan and Douglas Stuart and want to read more Irish literature 😊

[@aiscahill]

Oh thanks so much! 😊 I read Shuggie Bain last year and really enjoyed it but haven't gotten around to Young Mungo yet. I don't read nearly enough Scottish literature, either. So many books, so little time.

[@chantalhongenaert7753]

I really loved this video! A lot of them I have read, but some of them were surprises, so thank you for that. There’s something about Irish writers that seem to touch me, because I haven’t come across a writer that I didn’t like. And it’s not that I’m being patriotic, because I’m Belgian ☺️

[@aiscahill]

You're very welcome! 😊 I agree - there's something about Irish writing that feels both quite unique but also universal. Sometimes I wonder if I enjoy it because it feels familiar, but it seems to be well loved across the world. Thanks so much for watching 🥰

[@AllyReadaBook]

I'm currently waiting for a copy of Foster from my library. I had no idea it had been made into a film, I'll add that to my list as well. You have such a compelling way of describing books. I've added A Ghost in the Throat, That They May Face the Rising Sun, and The Blackwater Lightship to my TBR. I've been meaning to get into audio books so I've added Snowflake to my list as well. As someone who also struggles with chronic illness I am really looking forward to Constellations. P.s. Love your orange dungas!!!

[@aiscahill]

I hope you enjoy at least one or two of them, Ally. I feel like Irish fiction can often be a bit melancholy and strange and these books are probably not for everybody. I do hope that you enjoy Constellations if you get around to it. I can't remember it well, but I know that it sat with me profoundly for a long time afterwards. Tempted to buy myself the same pair but in green. They make the comfiest clothes 🥰

[@kimberlynewsom9876]

I've added both Claire Keegan books to my wish list, and also added That They May Face the Rising Sun, and Constellations. A Ghost in the Throat intrigues me but I'm not sure, so that will probably go on my wish list eventually as well! Thank you for another great video!!

[@aiscahill]

I hope you find something you love in some of the above, Kimberly. It's possible to read Claire Keegan's books in one sitting and both of those are probably my favourites on the list. Ghost in the Throat is a strange and sometimes difficult/slow read. I'd be interested to see how it translates as a reading experience to somebody who didn't grow up in Ireland, for sure, but if you feel a bit unsure about it then it's very possible that it's not for you. As ever, thanks for watching and for the lovely comment 😊

[@sandraraedeer4849]

My Sunday hug in a video. Had to go look up magdalene laundries as I had never heard of them. Will definitely look for a book on this subject.

[@aiscahill]

That's honestly the kindest thing to say - thank you! 🥹 Oh, they're definitely an incredibly dark and shameful part of Irish history, unfortunately 😞

[@dorotheafinan2419]

What a great list. Read them all except LouiseNealon. Agree with your opinions especially Ruth and Penn. Also like Caoilinn Hughes’s novel if you know it. Thought the single day walking Dublin in Ruth and Penn was inspired by Ulysses. Look forward to more suggestions . Very impressed too by Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting

[@aiscahill]

Thanks so much! I haven't read Caoilinn Hughes at all - are there any that you would suggest starting with? I'd imagine that there was something to Ruth & Penn and the comparison with Ulysses but I haven't confirmed it either way. My partner is currently reading The Bee Sting and is very much enjoying it so I might borrow it once he's done. Thanks so much for watching and for your lovely comment 🥰

[@dorotheafinan2419]

@@aiscahill I would start with Orchid and the Wasp

[@aiscahill]

@@dorotheafinan2419 Thanks so much!

[@juanap132]

Interesting books! And I love your orange pants , or is it a skirt?🧡

[@aiscahill]

Yes, it's a pair of dungarees! They're from a brand called Lucy & Yak. Thanks for watching 😊🧡

[@juanap132]

@@aiscahill Thanks, I've checked out their website now. Love it! Gonna order. (Btw, if what I write sometimes makes no sense it's because English is not my native language☺)

[@aiscahill]

@@juanap132 I love their clothes, but they can be quite expensive unfortunately. Your English is absolutely perfect! I only speak English so I'm forever in awe of anybody who speaks more than one language 😊

[@Nurse_Kathy]

I, too, am enamored of Claire Keegan’s writing! While I feel STLT was perfect, I felt that Foster ended a bit too abruptly, even for a novella. This is my first time watching your channel, and it won’t be the last! 🇮🇪🇺🇸

[@aiscahill]

That's so interesting. I loved the abrupt and ambiguous ending of Foster. I've heard Claire Keegan speak about it, and when asked specifically about the ending she refused to guide people's perceptions of the ending either way so it would seem as though it was very much intentional. Thanks so much for watching, Kathleen 😊

[@Pestopasta_]

‘You’re entitled to your opinion but you’re wrong’ yes😂😂 any normal people slander will not be tolerated (I’m only half joking)

[@aiscahill]

Right? 😅 I know it's not for everybody but it is literally everything I love in a story 😍

[@shiningyoonie]

Yes! Thank you for defending the use of the miscommunication trope in Normal People.

[@aiscahill]

Not all of us have been blessed with healthy communication skills 😅

[@trina415]

Haha if you don't like it your wrong lol I nearly swallowed the cup

[@aiscahill]

Haha sorry! Definitely just kidding though - everybody's allowed to like what they like when it comes to reading 😊

[@ericvalenzuela4708]

Ulysses, Ulysses, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake

[@aiscahill]

Ah of course, Eric. I was waiting for somebody to mention Joyce but alas, his writing is unfortunately just not for me.

[@ericvalenzuela4708]

@aiscahill Mmmm it's for everyone cuz it contains everything

[@gibsonraymonda]

Life’s a Beckett play, innit?

[@ericvalenzuela4708]

@@gibsonraymonda Waiting for God

[@astoldbymaddie]

I'm totally on the loath side of normal people 😭🫣 I couldnt stand the miscommunication piece, but the extra context makes so much sense!! i do really enjoy Sally Rooney's writing though. Beautiful world is one of my favourite books. I added foster to my TBR after you recommended it in a previous video, definitely looking forward to that one. I absolutely love the cover of a ghost in the throat 😍

[@aiscahill]

Oh I totally get it, Maddie. Miscommunication is literally so frustrating 🫠 I'm curious to see how Foster translates to readers outside of Ireland. I think the nostalgia it gave me is a huge part of how much I loved it. Just a heads up, pretty much nothing happens in it, but at least it's short 😊 It's a beautiful book. In a moment of weakness I unhauled it and now I regret it 😭