Staff Picks 2021: Fiction and Non-Fiction
Published on 10th December 2021
Well, here we are again, yet another year coming to a close. And while there’s no denying that it’s been challenging, thankfully it’s also been filled with lots of great books to help us navigate our way through it. So today we thought we’d share some of our favourites with you; some that you’ll know already, and some that may be new to you. We hope you’ll find something here that you like, and maybe even a new title or two to add to your ‘to-be-read’ list. You can reserve all the books listed at the links below, and collect from a library of your choosing. Or why not drop into your local library when you’re passing to stock up on your Christmas reading pile? There’s lots to choose from and friendly, helpful library staff to guide you.
If you don’t have a library card at the moment, contact your local library and they will help you to join; see here for more information on library membership. Or contact us at [email protected]. We’re always happy to help.
Happy Christmas and happy reading to all of you from all of us here in Dublin City Libraries.
Fiction
Nora: A Love Story of Nora Barnacle and James Joyce / Nuala O'Connor
The One Dublin One Book choice for 2022, 'Nora' is a fictionalised account of the life of literature’s greatest muse, a story told with passion, emotion and authenticity.
Inspired by the flood that submerged Florence in 1966, ‘Still Life’ is a sweeping and joyful novel about life and love and art.
The Island of Missing Trees / Elif Shafak
A beautiful, wise and compassionate book about love, grief and intergenerational trauma.
The Ballad of Lord Edward and Citizen Small / Neil Jordan
An engrossing narrative set against tumultuous events in the 18th century including the American War of Independence and 1798 Irish Rebellion.
Harlem shuffle / Colson Whitehead
An intricately plotted crime caper from the writer of ‘The Underground Railroad’ (now a major Amazon Prime TV show) and set against the rumblings of social change in 1960s Harlem.
A fictionalised account of the life of German novelist and essayist Thomas Mann which captures the breath-taking story of the last century.
Non-fiction
The Letters of John McGahern / edited by Frank Shovlin
This volume gathers together a selection of letters from one of the greatest writers of our era, letters that he exchanged throughout his life with family, friends, and fellow literary figures including Seamus Heaney and Colm Tóibín.
What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition / Emma Dabiri
Nuanced, intelligent and incisive, Emma Dabiri’s book is a must-read that challenges us to create meaningful, lasting change.
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty / Patrick Radden Keefe
The shocking story of the Sackler family and their role in the opioid crisis.
OK, Let's Do Your Stupid Idea / Patrick Freyne
A funny, sad, clever, tender, brave book, and a cracking good read.
Between Two Hells: The Irish Civil War / Diarmaid Ferriter
A fresh look at this momentous period in Irish history and how it has shaped modern Ireland; draws on many previously unpublished sources and newly released archival material.
Meet the Georgians: Epic Tales from Britain’s Wildest Century / Rob Peal
An introduction to the Georgian era through the lives of people who defined it: witty and entertaining as well as educational