Lets face it, most people have very limited time to read a book except on their summer holidays. If you are rushing through the airport and want to buy something to read for your sojourn on the beach, we want to help you make the right choice.
Here are our thoughts on some of the best-sellers that publishers are pushing. To read the curated recommendations for 2017 from RTÉ's Paddy Kehoe, click here.
1. Sebastian Barry Days Without End *****
The book tells the story of a man from Co. Clare who flees the Famine and travels to the US, where he later finds himself involved in the American Civil War. As the story evolves, he strikes up an unlikely, discreet, romance with another man. Despite its slow start, this book is excellent and bears comparison with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or The Sisters Brothers. Read the full review here
2. Paula Hawkins Into the Water ***
Into The Water begins with the recovery of a woman's body, and her sister returning home to identify the remains and to take care of her niece. It is a book about who drowned, when they drowned, and how they drowned. It feels as though it was written with a view to a the big screen adaptation, but it takes until the half way point for the subplot to really gel.
3. Lee Childs No Middle Name: The Complete Jack Reacher Short Stories ****
A collection of short stories giving you a snapshot of iconic hero Reacher as man and boy. Fans of the astounding 22 Reacher books (so far) are sure to love this fresh look at the man behind the franchise. The short story format is ideal for dipping in and out of when you have a quiet 15 minutes to spare.
4. David Sedaris Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977 - 2002 ****
If you are a David Sedaris fan, you will certainly enjoy this collection of diary entries - many are laugh-out-loud funny. If you are new to Sedaris, this would be the perfect introduction. As with life, some decades covered are funnier than others, but this is a book perfect for picking up between holiday activities as it doesn't require too much continuous concentration.
5. Anthony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders ****
Known generally for his children's books, Horowitz takes a step in the Agatha Christie direction for his latest release. The story is a murder mystery told from the perspective of a publisher reading a manuscript by a soon-to-be deceased author. The publisher is tasked with finishing the whodunit after the author dies without letting the publicist know who the murderer was.
6. Gail Honeyman Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine ****
If you were to combine the film Hello, My Name Is Doris, Mrs Doyle from Father Ted and The Rosie Project with A Confederacy of Dunces, then you would have an idea of what to expect from Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Sad moments are balanced with the lead character's no-nonsense approach to life and there are laughs to be had amidst her loneliness.
7. Farida Khalaf and Andrea C Hoffmann The Girl Who Beat ISIS *****
It is probably best to leave this memoir to the end of your holiday when the reality of going back to work is looming. Taking place only three years ago, the book follows Farida's experiences after being taken by ISIS from her home in the town of Kocho in Iraq three years ago and brought to Northern Syria where she is sold as a sex slave. So shocking you will read it in one sitting.
8. Sinead Moriarty The Good Mother ***
A complete tearjerker from the Dublin-based author, the book begins with a mother and her children moving in with her father. Moriarty has the ability to engage with the reader from the first word through to the last, but if you have recently lost someone close to you, it might be best to opt for one of her other novels if you don't fancy crying into your beach towel. Read the full review here
9. John Boyne The Heart’s Invisible Furies *****
Set in 1945, this is a coming-of-age novel about a boy born out of wedlock to a teenage girl before being adopted by an unconventional and wealthy Dublin couple. The story spans 70 years and concludes after the 2015 Marriage Equality Referendum. Boyne said of his work, "It’s not just about gay people, it’s about Irish society and culture and how Irish people took their own lives back from a dominant institution." Click here for the full review.
10. Graham Norton Holding ***
This enchanting novel from TV presenter Norton proves that he isn't just cashing in on his celebrity by inking a book deal. The story focuses on the reactions of the inhabitants of a sleepy town in Cork to the discovery of human remains in their area. All of the characters are likeable and there is warmth to proceedings. It will leave you hoping for another instalment, despite its predictability. Read the full review here
Nicolette Lennox
