Books
Maine Irish Reads
Join us on the second Thursday of each month at the Maine Irish Heritage Center Library to discuss contemporary Irish books, both fiction and non-fiction, from the past 20 years. Meetings are free for members, and a $5 suggested donation for non-members. Books can be obtained through local libraries or purchased from our shop, where members save 10%. Your purchases support our programming. We look forward to seeing you!
September 2024
Maine Irish Reads "City of Bohane" by Kevin Barry
Maine Irish Reads "City of Bohane" by Kevin Barry
Forty or so years in the future. The once-great city of Bohane on the west coast of Ireland is on its knees, infested by vice and split along tribal lines. There are the posh parts of town, but it is in the slums and backstreets of Smoketown, the tower blocks of the North Rises, and the eerie bogs of the Big Nothin' that the city really lives. For years it has all been under the control of Logan Hartnett, the dapper godfather of the Hartnett Fancy gang. But there's trouble in the air. They say H...
October 2024
Maine Irish Reads "A Long Long Way" by Sebastian Barry
Maine Irish Reads "A Long Long Way" by Sebastian Barry
In 1914, Willie Dunne, barely eighteen years old, leaves behind Dublin, his family, and the girl he plans to marry in order to enlist in the Allied forces and face the Germans on the Western Front. Once there, he encounters a horror of violence and gore he could not have imagined and sustains his spirit with only the words on the pages from home and the camaraderie of the mud-covered Irish boys who fight and die by his side. Dimly aware of the political tensions that have grown in Ireland in his...
November 2024
Maine Irish Reads "My Father's House" by Joseph O'Connor
Maine Irish Reads "My Father's House" by Joseph O'Connor
"My Father's House" by Joseph O'Connor is a gripping historical novel set during World War II. It follows the story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a real-life Irish priest in the Vatican who organizes an underground network to help Jews and Allied soldiers escape from Nazi-occupied Rome. The novel combines suspense, heroism, and moral complexity, painting a vivid picture of wartime bravery and the fight against oppression.
January 2025
Maine Irish Reads "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray
Maine Irish Reads "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray
"The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray is a novel that delves into the lives of the Barnes family, who are grappling with personal and financial crises. The story explores themes of resilience, identity, and the complexities of familial relationships. Through a blend of humor and poignancy, Murray weaves a narrative that captures the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit, set against the backdrop of contemporary Ireland.
February 2025
Maine Irish Reads "Rememberings" by Sinéad O'Connor
Maine Irish Reads "Rememberings" by Sinéad O'Connor
"Rememberings" by Sinéad O'Connor is a candid and compelling memoir that delves into the life of the iconic singer-songwriter. The book offers an intimate look at O'Connor's personal and professional journey, from her tumultuous childhood and rise to fame to her struggles with mental health and controversial moments in the public eye. Through her raw and honest storytelling, O'Connor provides insights into her creative process, spiritual beliefs, and the experiences that have shaped her life an...
March 2025
Maine Irish Reads "Long Island" by Colm Toibin
Maine Irish Reads "Long Island" by Colm Toibin
"Long Island" by Colm Tóibín is a novel that explores the lives of Irish immigrants in America, focusing on their struggles, dreams, and sense of identity. Set primarily on Long Island, the story delves into themes of displacement, cultural adaptation, and the search for belonging, all told with Tóibín's signature lyrical prose and deep empathy for his characters.
April 2025
Maine Irish Reads "Prophet Song: A Novel" by Paul Lynch
Maine Irish Reads "Prophet Song: A Novel" by Paul Lynch
"Prophet Song: A Novel" by Paul Lynch is a dystopian narrative set in a near-future Ireland on the brink of societal collapse. The story follows Eilish Stack, a scientist and mother, as she navigates a world where authoritarianism and civil unrest threaten her family's safety and freedom. Lynch's novel explores themes of resistance, survival, and the human spirit's resilience against oppressive forces, creating a gripping and thought-provoking tale of a family's struggle in the face of impending...
May 2025
Maine Irish Reads "Trespasses" by Louise Kennedy
Maine Irish Reads "Trespasses" by Louise Kennedy
"Trespasses" by Louise Kennedy is a poignant and evocative novel set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the 1970s. The story follows the life of a young Catholic schoolteacher, Cushla, who becomes entangled in a forbidden romance with an older Protestant man, what is essentially a taboo relationship in a divided society marked by deep sectarian strife. As their affair unfolds, Cushla navigates the complexities of personal desire and societal expectations, while the e...
June 2025
Maine Irish Reads "Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story" by Bono
Maine Irish Reads "Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story" by Bono
"Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story" is a compelling memoir by Bono, the frontman of the legendary rock band U2. Released in November 2022, the book intertwines personal anecdotes and reflections with insights drawn from the band's music, featuring forty pivotal songs that have shaped his life and career. Through heartfelt storytelling, Bono explores themes of love, loss, faith, and activism, offering readers an intimate glimpse into his journey as an artist, a humanitarian, and a husband and father...
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September 19, 2024