A mixed bag of books that would make gorgeous Christmas gifts
It’s a very mixed bag this week but all the books here would make gorgeous Christmas gifts, whether for a child or an adult, so let’s crack on.
Children’s Books
The Great Irish Book of Gaelic Games, Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Gill, €24.99
Beautifully illustrated cover to cover by Donough O’Malley, this is a delightful gift for any little GAA enthusiast, covering the history of the games from Cuchulainn right up to now, stopping by the clubs, counties and colours on the way.
Go on, the Girls in Green: The Rise and Rise of Ireland’s Women’s National Soccer Team. Gill. €14.99
Find out about your favourite players, learn fun facts and follow the journey that took Ireland’s women’s national soccer team all the way to the Women’s World Cup 2023. Lavishly illustrated throughout, this book is full of games, goals and girl power.
Josh The Flyer, Paul O’Flynn, Gill, €14.99
Young rugby fans will love this, following the life and career of Josh van der Flier from the first time he took up a ball as a baby, right through to his being awarded World Rugby Player of the Year. An action-packed story for the 7+ age group.
Black and Irish, Leon Diop and Briana Fitzsimons, Little Island, €14.50
For the 12-15 years market, this is a celebration of black Irish identity, featuring profiles of public figures from the worlds of pop culture, politics, sport, business and the arts. It includes Boidu Sayeh, Ruth Negga, Gavin Bazunu, Phil Lynott, Paul McGrath, Emma Dabiri, Rhasidat Adeleke and Dami Hope. Published in collaboration with Black and Irish, this is an Irish Book Award winner.
Adults
The Witch’s Daughter
This novel is a curious blend of factual history and witchcraft, something not usually encountered in historical novels. Set against the Russian Revolution, it follows Princess Nadezhda, daughter of Princess Militza, as she flees Russia following the murder of Rasputin. The history books recall her escaping to Crimea and afterwards living a long life in the free world, until she died in France aged 90. This book details her escape, as well as her dabbling in the occult, a trait her mother and aunt handed down. Somewhat similar to the novels of Santa Montefiore, there’s plenty of atmosphere here, as well as adventure.
A Place to Play, Humphrey Keller, Merrion Press, €26.99
A lovely gift for the GAA fan in your life, this book features sumptuous drone photography of 101 GAA grounds countrywide, north and south, and also as far as London and New York. Included is a potted history of each site, how it got its name and how it has developed over the years. A beautiful, glossy coffee-table tome with insightful new perspectives on the places our clubs and counties call home.
Tales from the Tower, Vivien Igoe and Robert Nicholson, Martello Publishing, €15.95
This fascinating little book recalls the story of the James Joyce tower in Sandycove, as told by two of its most enduring curators, both of whom held that position when it opened in 1962, and met many characters over the years who personally knew Joyce. There are plenty of interesting photos, too. These are personal histories from the authors, so there’s lots of humour included. It also chronicles their concern when it looked like the tower would have to close because of lack of funding. But still it stands, a vital part of our literary heritage and a project that was initially championed chiefly by the two authors of this book. With an introduction by Vincent Browne, it will appeal to Joyce fans, bookworms and history fans alike.
Keira and Me, Noel Fitzpatrick, Seven Dials, €19.99
This is the story of the Supervet’s relationship with his little dog, Keira, who he lost just last year after 14 years. Owning a little dog myself who’s now 11 years old and whose wheels are starting to fall off (along with his owner’s!), I found this book very moving, and I imagine it would provide comfort for any dog lover who has recently lost their darlin’ pet. Perfectly illustrated throughout by the talented Laura McKendry, it’s a beautiful book and offers an insight into the man who might have coined the phrase (although he didn’t): ‘The more I learn about the human race, the more I love my dog.’
Sisters Under the Rising Sun, Heather Morris, Zaffre ,€13.99
The bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey and Three Sisters has turned east for her latest novel. This novel is about the plight of English musician Morah Chambers, who fled Malaya for Singapore during the Japanese invasion in World War II. It’s also the story of Australian nurses Nesta and Vivian, also caught up in the drama. All three women boarded the doomed Vyner Brooke boat in an attempt to flee the by now Japanese-occupied Singapore. The boat sank after a flurry of Japanese fire and the three women survived but were captured and held hostage. The history of the Vyner Brooke is out there for anyone to explore and it really is grim, but Morris has woven a work of inspiring fiction from the facts, one that sings of the indestructibility of the human spirit. Meticulously researched, as always with Morris, it wears its ‘backroom work’ lightly and it’s set to hit the heights of her previous books.
She’s A Killer, Kirsten McDougall, Gallic, €23.99
This an odd, dystopian cli-fi thriller set in New Zealand was longlisted earlier this year for the Dublin Literary Award. Alice is a 30-something high-IQ loser in a dead-end job. She’s living in the flat beneath her mother’s, with whom she communicates only through Morse Code. The time frame is about 10 seconds into the future and New Zealand is being flooded by super-rich ‘wealthugees’ fleeing climate disaster in their home countries. The consequences of this massive influx for New Zealanders are catastrophic but Alice doesn’t much care. When one of these wealthugees offers Alice a large sum of money to mind his teenage daughter Erika, while he returns to China to rescue his ex-wife, Alice can’t refuse. But she really should have! It’s quirky, utterly original and also very funny, which is an unexpected package for a dystopian novel.
Footnotes
All of the county libraries and many of the branch libraries are hosting special Christmas events this month. Check out your local one to see what’s happening.