The Munster Bookshelf, a year of books – 2020

The Munster Bookshelf made its debut last December with a review of this wonderful book by Sally Cronin.  Sam A Shaggy Dog Story, is cleverly narrated, giving a dog’s perception of the world. From the moment he met his new mistress Sally, and her husband, Sam’s adventures are charted. A puppy’s learning experiences, following daily antics right up to becoming a mature, clever, and handsome dog.  This is a lovely book to curl up next to the fire reading and a must for dog lovers.

Releases throughout 2020

The year began with an interesting and boldly honest book, No Cows, No Problems by Brendan Fallon, who took us on an adventure around the island of Ireland. Peter Cronin released a book that gave us the pitfalls and advice of what not to do in All the Mistakes.  The Bookshelf also featured many fabulous children’s books, memoirs, historical, poetry and fictional novels which I’ve listed below.

Children’s Books

GIY’s Know it all Allmanac by Michael Kelly Muireann Ní Chíobháin, illustrated by Fatti Burke – A month-by-month guide to growing, cooking, and eating food, with fun characters and food trivia.

Scúnc Agus Smúirín by Muireann Ní Chíobháin illustrated by Michael Donnelly A delightful story of which was shortlisted for the Irish children’s book of 2019

Will’s Wild Adventures by Richard shore.  There are currently three adventure books available: Mystery of Garrett’s Mine, Dinosaur Discovery, and Trouble at Beaver Dam

Harrahtum Adventures by Richard Shoreincluding the newly released The Tangled Tuna. Richard is kindly donating 50% of the profits from this book to a very worthy cause Plastic Oceans UK https://plasticoceans.uk/ a charity with a mission to stop plastic reaching the ocean within a generation.

Queenie by Brian Taylor featured just last month on the Bookshelf is another book the author has kindly donated the profits from to a good cause, Toby’s magical Journey. A lovely adventure story perfect for ages 7 – 12 years.

Albert the Dragon by Gareth Chapman, illustrated by Andrea Rossi This delightful book is colourfully illustrated and a beautiful story of friendship.  I only wish my kids were still young to read it to them.

Last but not least in the children’s books, we have this month’s new releases by Joyce Murphy. The Girl with the Flaming Red Hair and The Bee and the Dandelion.  Two delightful stories with a wonderful sentiment in both.

Novels (fiction, memoir, poetry)

Trillium by M.L Holton A compelling read, about three families, through generations living in the wine-making region known as Niagara in the Golden Horseshoe region, Ontario, Canada.

Running from the Shadows by Stephanie Hickey Stephanie tells, in her own words, how she survived abuse at the hands of a trusted family member and of how running, a simple physical activity helped her achieve mindfulness.

The Dark by Derek Flynn. The third book in the John Ryan series, which can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone gripping thriller.

Distilled by Patrick Helvik. DISTILLED plays out across a harsh west of Ireland landscape and tells a gripping story of those who lived it. Set in Mayo in the year 1879, in a country barely thirty years past the decimation of famine, a people slipping backwards into another starvation.

Watching the Daisies by Brigid P. Gallagher a beautifully written memoir where Brigid share her knowledge and experience as a Natural Medicines therapist.

Life’s Rich Tapestry by Sally CroninA delightful collection of verse, micro-fiction and short stories that explore many aspects of our human nature and the wonders of the natural world.

Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya by Paul Edmondson. In Chief Tenaya’s world, the pillages of war are set against the backdrop of daily rhythms of Indian life in the familiar landscape of Yosemite. I highly recommend this amazing story.

Inner Rumblings, by Joyce Murphy – A life journey depicted through poetry, with some very moving verse.

This Soul’d World by William DisdaleA story of space-time scientist, Callison Trebla, who has a destiny calling to him from a parallel universe.

Drowning in the Desert by David Murphy – The author’s life presented in a pilgrimage of poetry.

What Once was True by Jean Grainger A compelling piece of historical fiction.

A Quiet Tide by Marianne Lee. The story of Ellen Hutchins, Ireland s first female botanist.

Between the Lines by S.J Butler. A darkly gripping psychological thriller

Whatever it Takes by Tadhg Coakley. An intense crime novel, set in Cork city, Detective Garda Collins is at war with the leading local criminal, Dominic Molloy.

Irish Bones by Rebecca Conaty Bruce. An American woman discovers her Irish ancestry, a heart-warming fictional tale.

I’m Fine by Enda O’Doherty, co-written with journalist Dermot Keyes. Enda brings us on his incredible life journey from self-destruction through to self-healing and a passion for helping others.

The Haunted Wind by Ross griffin. A supernatural thriller, three characters, worlds apart, work together to stop an evil spirit that has been released into the wind.

Historical Books

Waterford City: A History by Cian Manning.  Discover the history of Waterford, through momentous events and lesser-known stories.

Waterford Harbour: Tides and Tales by Andrew Doherty. Learn about centuries of tradition of the fishery and maritime trade.

Old Ireland in Colour by John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley. John has carefully restored and colourised images that display the beauty of Ireland throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  There are over 170 images, accompanied by fascinating captions written by historian Sarah-Anne Buckley.

The Comeragh’s “Gunfire & Civil war”: The story of the Deise Brigade IRA 1914-1924 written by Sean Murphy and Sile Murphy, Edited by William Whelan

Desperate Haven: The Poor Law, Famine & Aftermath in Dungarvan Union by William Fraher (Author) William Whelan (Author, Editor), Bernadette Sheridan (Author) & Seosaimh O’Loinsigh

A wonderful and varied selection of books, looking forward to more incredible works of art on The Munster Bookshelf in 2021.

Merry Christmas