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Our staff really “got” the assignment as they gabbed about their favourite reads across the pond! From time travelling love stories (spoiler: it’s Outlander and no, there is not a picture of Sam Heughan in this post, sadly) to memoirs from Ireland’s stunning, remote Dingle Peninsula, check out the recommendations that span genres and settings (and time periods) – showcasing everything from conflict in Northern Ireland and Highland ways to Loch Ness, whiskey, war and emigration.
United Kingdom:
· “His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet is a must-read. It’s a marvellous murder mystery set in the crofter’s villages of 19th century Scotland.” – Marc P.
· “For TV and romance lovers with a subscription to Netflix, this recommendation needs no introduction: Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books about time travel in Scotland are beautiful, epic and romantic fun.” – Patricia G.
· “Bill Bryson always delivers, and his Notes from a Small Island about the UK is very good.” – Laura S.
· “Learn how the UK became an empire in Niall Ferguson’s Empire.” – James H.
· “Read all about the Scottish Highlands in Clanlands: Whiskey, Warfare and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan (Outlander) and Graham McTavish with a forward by Diana Gabaldon.” – Patricia G.
· “Dive into a World War II love story and mystery set on the banks of Loch Ness with At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen.” – Marc P.
· “Bill Bryson’s The Road to Little Dribbling is a fun take on the adventures of an American in Britain.” – Patricia G.
· “Anything by Jane Austen!” – Nicole D.
Ireland:
· “From The Great Blasket to America by Michael Carney is the last memoir of an Islander from this remote place and unique Irish community, located off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. It’s a wonderful read.” – Marc P.
· “Brooklyn by Colm Toibin shows the push and pull of emigration to New York from a small town in Ireland – it’s a really fascinating read.” – Patricia G.
· “Maeve Binchy’s Circle of Friends became a movie in the 90s with Minnie Driver and Chris O’Donnell, but the novel really captures the charm and enduring values of a wonderful group of friends from Ireland.” – Nicole D.
· “Patrick Radden Keefe takes an interesting look at the troubles in Northern Ireland during the last half of the 20th century in his book Say Nothing." – Marc P.
· “Normal People by Sally Rooney and the Green Road by Anne Enright are both great books that are set in lovely Ireland and are worth the read.” – Patricia G.
So, dive into some literature from locales that brought us Shakespeare, James Joyce, Jane Austen and yes, Outlander. These books capture the serenity of these truly romantic settings and make you want to add a soundtrack full of flutes and bagpipes to your reading experience. Good “luck” and happy reading.
