The Alternatives

By Caoilinn Hughes

Riverhead Books/PRH

    Four Irish sisters in their thirties reunite to find that their lives, especially their childhoods, were not really how they thought. All four are frighteningly (for all involved), incredibly intelligent and thoughtful. They find that for better, and worse, they do care deeply about each other and find themselves growing closer than they imagined they could.

    This is a smart, warm, funny and ultimately optimistic look at what we think we know and how we can rethink it all without the world coming to an end.

    Don't miss this. You'll love the way it engages with several very different philosophers. 

If you'd like to know more about this book, or purchase it, please check your local independent bookstore or this great place bookshop.org

 Long Island

by Colm Toibin

Scribner/ S&S

May 7, 2024

    The story of Eilis Lacey continues in this sequel to Brooklyn. She is just as lovely, deep and unpredictable as she was, but now has children of her own, a husband and his extended family to deal with. Eilis retreats to her childhood home in Ireland when her husband's infidelity is revealed, and the vividly portrayed people in that town that she left behind.

    I hope this is the middle book as we are left wanting to know much more.

If you would like to know more about this book, or own it, please check with your local bookstore or this great place bookshop.org. Most places will have it available to pre-order.

 Old God's Time

by Sebastian Barry

Viking Press

    This is such a beautifully written book that it begs to be read aloud. Barry puts together long, intricate sentences, broken up with short imperative ones to create a music of wonderful words.

    

    Tom Kettle's love for his wife and children is a strongly felt presence throughout. But this is also a devastatingly sad story - Tom and his wife were both tortured by clergy when they were very young. Retirement from his police job just isn't possible for Tom with so many ghosts around. There is also a great deal of love and joy in his memories which provides solace and strength to his days.

If you would like to know more about or own this book, please try your local independent bookstore or bookshop.org.