How Many of the Best Irish Books Have I Read?

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I thought it would be fun to take a look at a list of "25 Books by Irish Authors You Should Read" and see how many I've read.
O Magazine's list: www.oprahmag.com/entertainmen...
Further viewing:
How Many of the Best Female Writers Have I Read? • Who Are the Best Femal...
My March Book Haul Revisit: • A Big, Big Book Haul R...
Titles mentioned:
Conversations with Friends, by Sally Rooney
A Week in Winter, by Maeve Binchy
Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere Else, by Maeve Higgins
Faithful Place by Tana French
Dubliners by James Joyce
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride
Milkman by Anna Burns
The Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle
The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney
From a Low and Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan
Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
Amongst Women by John McGahern
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
Actress by Anne Enright
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Sea by John Banville
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett
Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent
My husband made a cookbook! Check it out here:
www.blurb.com/b/10189765-my-m...
But wait, there's more!
Website: supposedlyfun.com/
Goodreads: / gregory-baird
Instagram: / supposedlyfun
Twitter: / supposedlyfun

Пікірлер: 127

  • @maliksalah6629
    @maliksalah66293 жыл бұрын

    I would recommend checking out dubliners by Joyce. I found it very accessible with some of the best short stories I've read.

  • @moonrattle

    @moonrattle

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes! I completely agree. Portrait is great but I feel Dubliners is more accessible for people starting with Joyce. :D

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lots of love for Dubliners, so that will definitely be the one I aim for. Thanks!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lots of love for Dubliners, so that will definitely be the one I aim for. Thanks!

  • @lizam8964

    @lizam8964

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SupposedlyFun I‘m not a native English speaker and I loved it, so it‘s definitely accessible. :) And Joyce‘s prose is just so beautiful.

  • @ameliareads589
    @ameliareads5893 жыл бұрын

    I highly recommend Claire Keegan, she is one of my favourite Irish authors.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ooh I’ll look her up! Thanks!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Do you have a favorite of hers?

  • @ilonarebryna8400

    @ilonarebryna8400

    4 ай бұрын

    She is an incredible author. Love everything written by her.

  • @bernarddunne1848
    @bernarddunne18483 жыл бұрын

    The short stories of Frank O'Connor are superlative, unique, unrivaled, brilliant, funny, utterly Irish, original, timeless. Have I said how much I love them?

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm surprised O'Connor wan't on the list. I haven't read him so I will have to check them out!

  • @jacquelinemcmenamin8204
    @jacquelinemcmenamin82043 жыл бұрын

    More recommendations The Good People by Hannah Kent Say Nothing by Patrick Raden Keefe Dubliners by James Joyce ( my favourites are The Dead & A Painful Case) Brooklyn is a beautiful book Eimear is E-mer Milkman is great on audio The Barrytown Triology is the funniest set of books I’ve ever read I’m currently reading via Audio The Glorious Heresies and loving the Cork accent The Green Road by Ann Enright Everything by Emma Donoghue Everything by Maggie O’Farrell Short stories by William Trevor

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @michelejuza4531
    @michelejuza45313 жыл бұрын

    I love Irish authors! I have an entire shelf devoted to them. My favorite book by any Irish author is History of the Rain by Niall Williams! It’s wonderful! In my humble opinion Light a Penny Candle is Binchy’s best. Two of my favorite Irish authors are Sebastian Barry and John Boyne. Also give Kevin Barry’s City of Bohane a go. It’s fantastic! Highly recommended. I love Tana French’s books. She has a couple of stand alones but if you’re going to start with her Dublin Murder series then I suggest you read them in order.

  • @michelejuza4531

    @michelejuza4531

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh and I just finished my first Joseph O’Connor! Shadowplay. It’s so good! It’s a fictional account of Bram Stoker’s life.

  • @ndumi5124
    @ndumi51243 жыл бұрын

    Hi Greg! Once again, great video! I’ve been told that the audiobook for Milkman is phenomenal. That definitely persuaded me to read it! 🙌🏾

  • @beatingaroundthebooks

    @beatingaroundthebooks

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, the audiobook is absolutely fantastic! 💚

  • @erinh7450

    @erinh7450

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, the audiobook for Milkman is, indeed, phenomenal. Highly recommend.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Wow, thank you all! The audiobook sounds like the way to go.

  • @KeithBruton
    @KeithBruton3 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Dubliners by James Joyce is my favourite Irish book of all time. Oscar Wilde/Beckett/Friel/O'Casey plays are brilliant. For more modern works: The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry, The Commitments by Roddy Doyle, The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe are goodies..

  • @jacquelinemcmenamin8204
    @jacquelinemcmenamin82043 жыл бұрын

    Snow by John Banville Burial Rites by Hannah Kent The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde Treat yourself to watching The Snapper The Commitments The Van ☘️👋🍀

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    And thank you again!

  • @kimswhims8435
    @kimswhims84353 жыл бұрын

    At Swim Two Birds by Flann O'brien is meant to be one of the funniest novels on the planet. Can't say that I've read it yet but must get to it. And to follow that - At Swim Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill, The story of Ireland and the Irish uprising of 1916 and the love of two boys. Heard great things about that one too.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I read At Swim, Two Boys but need to reread it at some point. I have not read At Swim, Two Birds but have also heard that it is very funny (and good).

  • @bookinmybonnet1129
    @bookinmybonnet11293 жыл бұрын

    I think Dubliners would be a good starting point with Joyce. I'm a big Edna O'Brien fan! Really enoyed Girl with Green Eyes and The Country Girls. I can't say that The Last September truly captivated me. May I also recommend: The Story of Lucy Gault /William Trevor The Talk of the Town /Ardal O'Hanlon The Book of Evidence /John Banville The Trusting and the Maimed /James Plunkett Waiting for Godot /Samuel Beckett

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Dubliners has had a very strong showing of support, so I definitely need to get to it soon-ish. Thank you for all the recommendations!

  • @MarilynMayaMendoza
    @MarilynMayaMendoza3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Greg, I have a lot to say as usual. Oprah Winfrey has written more than five books. She wrote books about spirituality, dieting and more spirituality. I love Tana French because she writes literary Mysteries which are character-driven and sometimes slow but I like slow. I think you will like faithful place or the likeness. Somehow I think you will like faithful place better but of course it's a guess. One of my favorite Irish authors is nuala o'faolain. Are you somebody and almost there. I think she was a fantastic author and Gone Too Soon. I loved Angela's Ashes. Parts of it was so hilarious, I literally fell down laughing. I love when that happens. Frank McCourt author books we're also good. There is a book he wrote called teacher that also had a scene where he eats a student's lunch and the principal walks in. It was so funny. Well, it's midnight here so I'll say good night and happy reading. Aloha Maya

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the clarification on Oprah as a writer! It's been ages since I heard O'Faolain's name. She used to be on my TBR but fell off over the years. I'll have to look for her again! Angela's Ashes will have to happen at some point as well. Thank you so much!

  • @Erica-wi4yc
    @Erica-wi4yc3 жыл бұрын

    I've read a book called Ireland by Frank Delaney. Its about a traveling Irish storyteller who goes to a families house and tells about different irish fables and some history on Ireland. Its really good

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've seen that in stores--thank you for the recommendation!

  • @Erica-wi4yc

    @Erica-wi4yc

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SupposedlyFun enjoy. let me know what you think if you read it. Im on facebook under well my name

  • @BookwormAdventureGirl
    @BookwormAdventureGirl3 жыл бұрын

    My celebration of St. Patrick's Day consists of wearing green. Another great video. I haven't read Maeve or Tana so no judgment here. Both have been on my radar forever. I love Emma Donoghue and have read a few of her books. Actress is on my TBR so I hope to get to it eventually. I own all of Frank McCourt's books and have yet to read them. Need to get on these.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've heard great things about McCourt.

  • @julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641
    @julieg_quebec-julesselivre86413 жыл бұрын

    Just finished The pull of the stars by Emma Donoghue set in 1918 Ireland. Really liked it. I read many Maeve Binchy and it’s all about families, local businesses, helping others, love and Irish culture. I agree that it’s very oriented towards women but if you have read Rosamunde Pilcher it’s kinda in the same range... 😉

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Binchy has gotten good feedback in the comments, so I'll need to try her someday. I like stories about local communities and families helping each other, so she might be perfect for me, actually. Pull of the Stars has also gotten nice comments--thank you!

  • @nfbuckeye
    @nfbuckeye3 жыл бұрын

    ‘Dubliners’ was my jumping off point for Joyce and I quite enjoyed it. I, too, am intimidated by ‘Ulysses.’ It’s been sitting on my bookshelf for over two years and I keep trying to get myself to do it but haven’t yet mustered the stones. I feel like I’ve commented on one of your videos before about it before, but ‘The Heart’s Invisible Furies’ is absolutely fantastic.

  • @GuiltyFeat
    @GuiltyFeat3 жыл бұрын

    Roddy Doyle's Barrytown trilogy is outstanding and hilarious. He then won the Booker for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. He's one of the greats mostly ignored on BookTube for reasons unknown. Lisa McInerny's The Glorious Heresies is also fabulous. I love these kinds of videos, thanks.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it! I couldn't remember the book I know Doyle for when I was recording and Paddy Clarke is it! I'll have to give him a try at some point. Thanks for the recommendations.

  • @jorgem71962
    @jorgem719623 жыл бұрын

    Colm Toibin's books are amazing and he is a very good writer. I loved "Broobklyn." The movie is great, but the book is outstanding. My favorite Tobin's book is "The Heather Blazing." "The Story of the Night" is very interesting and takes place in Buenos Aires. "The Blackwater Lightship" is one of the few first novels to address the AIDS crisis. "The Wonder" by Emma Donoghue is very good. It is one of the most incredible endings I have read in a long time. Satisfying, but totally unexpected.

  • @DarkRaven-iu9vn
    @DarkRaven-iu9vn3 жыл бұрын

    My list is keep growing and growing and IDK what to read first😅😅 I'm a new subscriber btw😅

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I know the feeling. Hello! Thank you for watching!

  • @pagejunkie376
    @pagejunkie3763 жыл бұрын

    Hi Greg. Thank you for recommending The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne. I absolutely loved it.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm so glad you liked it!

  • @ann-marieodonnell6102
    @ann-marieodonnell61023 жыл бұрын

    The commitments. I know you discuss books but if you can get the movie, watch it! It is beloved in Ireland, a cult classic. Give the trailer a watch! I promise. It's worth it. I haven't read the book but I must. I just red my first Donal Ryan in Jan. Not the one you mentioned but 'Strange Flowers' and I definitely aiming to read more of him. Im ashamed to say I haven't read many of these, but I really enjoyed your video as I am dedicating this year to Irish authors. There has been some amazing books in the last year or so that Ive been reading so this is a great look at some older ones that I should pick up. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa was my favorite read last year. Thank you and St. Patrick's day.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've actually recently heard good things about the movie and didn't make the connection while I was filming. That would be interesting! Very glad you enjoyed the video and for the recommendations. I have not heard of Ghost in the Throat but will be looking into it further!

  • @pbalexa1

    @pbalexa1

    3 жыл бұрын

    I thought the Commitments was one of the funniest movies I have seen. Did you see The Snapper? Not quite as funny. Bu t very Ireland in the 1980's. I read the Barrytown Trilogy and it is good but he writes for movies.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@pbalexa1 Okay so I definitely need to see The Commitments.

  • @audreym859
    @audreym8593 жыл бұрын

    The Country Girls is a great, accessible way to start reading Edna O'Brien. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a trilogy. Each part is quite short, and it does feel like just one novel.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you fo the recommendation!

  • @shawnbreathesbooks
    @shawnbreathesbooks3 жыл бұрын

    You have misplaced that portrait of you as a young man? Have you checked the attic, my dear man? 🍀😎🥳🤣🍀😎🥳🤣

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    The portrait is hidden away because it keeps aging for some strange reason. ;-)

  • @MsDee255
    @MsDee2553 жыл бұрын

    Hi Greg, The Commitments film based on the Roddy Doyle book is a wonderful feel good film that still holds up - I watched it again a few months ago. It’s about a group of (white) working class young adults who form a soul band. If you’re looking for something fun to watch with a great soundtrack, it’s definitely worth checking out. Also, I recommend Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue - it’s my favourite of her books. Historical fiction set in the 18th century about an impoverished girl clawing her way to a better life.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Commitments does sound fascinating. I always forget about Slammerkin but we used to sell a lot of it when I worked at Borders because it rotated on and off the table for buy one get one 50%. I'll have to look more closely!

  • @TheNovelSanctuary
    @TheNovelSanctuary3 жыл бұрын

    New subscriber, really enjoyed this!!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm so glad--thank you!

  • @SueJacksonDE
    @SueJacksonDE3 жыл бұрын

    Oh, you MUST read Tana French's books! They are SO good, so well-written - mysteries but with in-depth characters and emotional depth. They're as much about the detectives as about the mysteries. And it seems that each one is better than the last! The one I read most recently was Faithful Place, so I agree with its place on the list. Definitely start with In the Woods and read them in order. It's not 100% necessary, but then you'll understand more about each of the detectives and better understand as their stories are developed in each successive book. My husband and I both love this series (and I rarely read series). Same for me with Emma Donoghue. I loved ROOM but haven't read any of her others yet - thanks for the inspiration! And same for me with Oscar Wilde! I just recently read The Importance of Being Earnest, and that's all I have read by him so far - definitely need to try The Picture of Dorian Gray. SO glad they included The Heart's Invisible Furies!! I just finished it and was blown away! It's definitely moved into my Top 10 :) Great description: Roald Dahl meets Dickens - ha ha I LOVED the humor in this novel - I cried twice but I was often laughing out loud. Great list!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    The Heart's Invisible Furies is definitely a novel that will make you laugh and move you to tears. I will have to try a Tana French book soon!

  • @kristenp6547
    @kristenp65473 жыл бұрын

    Check out Niall Williams. He was recommended to me because of his prose. He writes so beautifully. I've read This Is Happiness and The Fall of LIght. On my tbr are Four Letters of Love and History of the Rain.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the recommendation!

  • @kimswhims8435
    @kimswhims84353 жыл бұрын

    Sebastian Barry - The Secret Scriptures is an excellent novel, I'm surprised that one is not on the list. A film was made of it too. The film is ok. Maggie O'Farrell was born in Ulster, so she's a favourite Irish author of mine. You are not alone, I've never read anything by Tana French, either. I've read Brooklyn. I love Milkman, just bought a faber hardcover, so I can go back to it. I didn't like The Girls by Edna O'brien, she spent 6 weeks in a country and then decided to appropriate their voices, rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't suspend disbelief. Actress is really well written, enjoyed it. I didn't like The Gathering, but it was well written. Elizabeth Bowen sounds good. Exciting Times sounds really good, want to read that one. I still have my copy of Angela's Ashes, tis brilliant, first and one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to. I really need to read The Sea and some Oscar Wilde. John Boyne, interesting. My Mum likes Liz Nugent. I've listened to some audiobooks as a nod to the Irish. Love an Irish accent. Listened to "Are You There God, it's me Ellen" by Ellen Coyne. Listening to my first Maeve Binchy, The Lilac Bus, read by her sister Kate. Most of her's are narrated by her sister. This one is short. Alternatively, I had Tara Road for years on my shelf, I might have given it away, it's a brick.

  • @dqan7372
    @dqan73723 жыл бұрын

    "Dubliners" is the place to start with Joyce. I'd get the version with the most helpful footnotes. It's quite accessible, but some references would have been a lot more meaningful to a turn of the century Irishman. If you want to follow up with "Portrait" (and explore Joyce's world more in depth), consider getting Don Gifford's "Joyce Annotated" which covers both books.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's a great recommendation, thank you!

  • @AJDunnReadsandWrites
    @AJDunnReadsandWrites3 жыл бұрын

    I've only read In the Woods by Tana French. It was good, but it left me confused because she left one of the main mysteries unanswered. She's a good writer if you like procedural mystery thrillers. I'm reading Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man this month. I'll talk about it in my reading wrap-up for March. I have it in a book in combination with Dubliners, which I'll read at a later time. Thanks for this list! A lot of interesting sounding books. And I'm obsessed with the cover of Pond.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's one of the critiques I've heard about In the Woods, and I'm not sure how I would feel about that (impossible to really say without reading it, I guess). Can't wait for your thoughts on Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man! The cover of Pond really is gorgeous.

  • @sallysue8176
    @sallysue817611 ай бұрын

    Edna o brien is my favorite author.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    11 ай бұрын

    I still need to read one of her books!

  • @hill7912A
    @hill7912A3 жыл бұрын

    It is okay not to like Tana French but not to have read her LOL - evil stare! Read a stand alone first Faithful Place is midway through a series.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm so ashamed!

  • @hill7912A

    @hill7912A

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SupposedlyFun LOL

  • @lonesomedovecall822
    @lonesomedovecall8223 жыл бұрын

    I read "Brooklyn" by Colm Toibin a few years ago. I'd say it's a great book for a rainy day when you're trapped inside and you just want to kick back and enjoy some couch time with the dogs! "PS, I Love You" -- never read the book but, listen to your husband, the movie is wonderful! Honestly, I didn't even know it was a book so now I'm interested in checking it out! "Angela's Ashes" is definitely depressing but it IS a fantastic book! Between the book and the movie, I'd recommend the book. (I couldn't get through the movie, it was just too heartbreaking.)

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I pretty much always want to kick back and enjoy some couch time with the dogs so that sounds perfect! Thank you for the recommendations.

  • @nancytrue7276
    @nancytrue72762 жыл бұрын

    Just happened across your video and really enjoyed it! Pls pls read Maeve Binchy-but I loved Quentin’s, Scarlet Feather, Minding Frankie the best. I would say her books are not so much “women’s fiction” but small-town Irish family fiction, very enjoyable. They are feel-good books. Also, i adore Jean Grainger’s books-started with The Robinswood trilogy, which begins around the time of WWII and touches on Irish ambivalence on “helping the British” in the war effort. A newer series, beginning with “The Harp and the Rose,” set around the beginning of the Irish troubles, is excellent. I’ve read the first three and waiting for the fourth.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the recommendations!

  • @reginalemoine5809
    @reginalemoine58093 жыл бұрын

    I’ve read 12 of these authors, but only 8 of the specific books in the list. Joyce- Dubliners, Portrait, then Ulysses. “The Dead” is among the finest short stories ever written. Try Milkman on audio. I think getting into the rhythm of the language is a big part of the novel. It helps you pick up on the humor and it’s just delightful. I’d also recommend Say Nothing on audio. I read the first two Dublin Murder Squad novels by Tana French but I haven’t been able to finish the third one. I really liked The Wich Elm, though, which some fans of her series don’t care for. I love John Banville, but he can be challenging. I should also revisit The Sea. I think I wasn’t at a place in my life where I could fully appreciate it when I first read it. Angela’s Ashes is very sad, but also very funny in parts. I read it, but I think an audio version would be really good.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    A lot of comments have cited The Dead, so Dubliners would probably be a good way to do Joyce. A lot of people have also mentioned the audio for Milkman. Thank you for the feedback and recommendations!

  • @KurtAnderson812
    @KurtAnderson8123 жыл бұрын

    I read The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donahue this week. I think I liked it more than I thought I did. I finished it in a day so that says something right?

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    That definitely says a lot!

  • @carolynmorgan6033
    @carolynmorgan60333 жыл бұрын

    Milkman by Anna Burns on audio is the way to go. Totally worth the effort. I predict you'd like if not love it that way.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    So many people love the audio of Milkman so that has me very curious. Thank you for the recommendation!

  • @1book1review
    @1book1review3 жыл бұрын

    I listened to Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man read by Colin Farrell, I highly recommend that. Try to just go with the flow as it is easier that way than fully understanding everything on the first listen.

  • @bethanyfuller1058
    @bethanyfuller10583 жыл бұрын

    I have read all of Tana French, and Faithful Place is my all-time favorite. Dubliners - the last story is called The Dead and I loved it so much!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @irena7777777

    @irena7777777

    3 жыл бұрын

    Tana French is brilliant. Love the Dublin Murder Squad books

  • @wordscaninspire114
    @wordscaninspire1143 жыл бұрын

    Nice one 🍀

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @ameliareads589
    @ameliareads5893 жыл бұрын

    I have never read a book by Tana French, too. 😂 And I most likely never will. I started with Dubliners for Joyce as well. It wasn't as much for me as I expected it to be. But I have Portrait... on my tbr shelf and I definitely want to read it. Milkman 😍😍😍 My book of 2019! I would recommend to read Little Constructions by her, which I loved as well. But in there you can see if you get along with her style and if you do, you can dive into Milkman as well. Colm Toibin is an author I will certainly read more of. Brooklyn is wonderful. You can read the first book of The Country Girls as a stand alone. I have read it, liked it, but dnf'd two other books by her after that and decided she is not an author for me. Robby Doyle is not for me either, he writes too comical for my taste and I didn't like his way of writing dialogues. I wanted to read something by John Banville, but because of the stupid things he said lately, I'm not interested anymore.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh no, going to Google John Banville now. Getting my cringe face ready! I ordered a Toibin book (The Story of the Night) and am waiting for it to arrive. Thank you for the good recommendations on O’Brien, Milkman, and Joyce!

  • @ameliareads589

    @ameliareads589

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SupposedlyFun Foster 😉 Her work is generally on the short side, she also writes short stories. www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/banville-criticised-by-fellow-booker-winner-for-saying-he-despises-woke-movement-1.4424788

  • @donkeirstade5304
    @donkeirstade53043 жыл бұрын

    This list from O Magazine is very geared toward Commercial Women's Fiction. Maeve Binchy Circle of Friends, you know what Hollywood can do to a book. I recommend Whitehorn Woods. Emma Donahue's short story collection Astray gives you a feel for thr diversity of her writing. Tana French and Liz Nugent are good but basically write crime fiction. You do not seem to feature a lot of crime fiction on your channel. The Glorious Herisies is a literary crime novel that won the Women's Prize. I like Colm Toibin and John Boyne and was pleasantly surprised by Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan, a unique voice. I have read that the author is some where on the autistic spectrum. John Banville/ Benjamen Black are both good, different facets of the same author.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I struggle with crime fiction a bit because I don't tend to like the current state of it--I've mostly given up because it's so hard to find ones I like. Thank you for all the recommendations! It's very helpful.

  • @JentheLibrarianreads
    @JentheLibrarianreads3 жыл бұрын

    Not read Colm Tóibín or Dorian Gray? I’m officially disowning you now 🤣 I would add The Story of the Night to your list for sure. I’m going to re-read it soon to see if it’s as phenomenal as I remember, as it’s been a few years since I first read it.

  • @mandietyree5394
    @mandietyree53943 жыл бұрын

    I think Dorian Gray is a must read. It’s very short. You could probably finish in an afternoon. Room by Emma Donoghue was so disturbing. I haven’t been able to make myself pick up anything else by her (Much like Cormac McCarthy’s The Road.). I think it’s a good book. It’s just really heavy. Anyway, thanks for another great video.

  • @CookieR1272
    @CookieR12723 жыл бұрын

    French is good, the books can be a bit uneven. I’d recommend starting with In the Woods, as they’re sort of interconnected, although they can be read in any order really.

  • @deborajohnson5717
    @deborajohnson57173 жыл бұрын

    I read the Edna O’Brien book Girl and I really disliked it! The Wonder was good. I am going to read Pull of The Stars by Emma O’Donoghue. I read Angels’s Ashes years ago and I still remember it. It made a great impact . I DNF PS I Love You. It was ok but dragged on. I finally just lost interest. I have The Hearts Invisible Furies on my TBR This was a great idea for a video!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you liked it! Thank you for the recommendations.

  • @hedgiecc
    @hedgiecc3 жыл бұрын

    I read Banville’s The Sea very recently and it absolutely left me cold. Hugely overrated in my opinion. Emotionally I connected with Enright’s The Green Road. I read The Gathering later and was repelled, although technically it is perfectly structured and the better book. But it put me off reading The Actress, even though I was intrigued by the premise. Milkman is in the top two Booker Winners of this century, IMO, but it definitely divides readers! Same with Sally Rooney. I loved loved loved Normal People as I’ve commented before but today I refused to preorder the new book because of how it’s being marketed. It’s coming out in September and I will review my options then. Earlier this year I read The Wild Geese by Bridget Boland (1938) - she subsequently moved to LA and became a successful screenwriter. It’s set in 18th century Ireland and is completely fascinating about the history.

  • @eddie_d1233
    @eddie_d12333 жыл бұрын

    Read "The Dead"....my favorite short story. Dubliners short stories are very accessible. Toibin, try "The Master" a novel about Henry James...great book. "Milkman" was fantastic once you get into the rhythm of her writing, and very funny too. Angela's Ashes one of the most heartbreaking yet filled with wonderful humor, some laugh out loud. And here is one that you didn't mention....Jamie O'Neill, "At Swim, Two Boys" a long historical book during the uprising about two gay boys and their engaging and tumultuous relationship.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I read At Swim, Two Boys when it was first released and remember enjoying it! I've been thinking that I should reread it because I don't actually remember much about it at all anymore. Lots of love for Dubliners and a handful of people have specifically mentioned The Dead, so that seems like a safe bet!

  • @maureencalder9911
    @maureencalder99113 жыл бұрын

    A Girl is a Half Formed Thing is an amazing book! Milk is worth the read simply for its ambitious nature. The Wonder is ho hum. Actress did not hold my attention enough for me to finish it. Angela's Ashes is REALLY depressing but worth the read. You must read Dorian Gray. John Boyne can do no wrong.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I have heard very mixed things about Actress. I'll take a closer look at the McBride book and see. Thank you for the thoughts and recommendations!

  • @amywolfe5673
    @amywolfe56733 жыл бұрын

    The Picture of Dorian Grey is one of my favorite books. Definitely a book to put near the top of your list, nothing Marmite about it that I can see. (BTW, the film version of The Importance of Being Ernest, with Colin Firth and Judi Dench is lots of fun.) On the other hand, I read Faithful Place when it came out and absolutely HATED it. It is probably my most disliked book ever... she is definitely a Marmite author. Have not gotten to Brooklyn or Angela's Ashes but would like to sooner than later. Winter has sat unread on my sheves for years... I'm pretty sure I've read some of her other books, which I think I liked, but that was a while ago. As to other authors, I've read Jess Kidd's Himself which I very much enjoyed and plan to read her other books. And Emma Donoghue's The Pull of the Stars is is a book I want to read soon. Thanks for the list. You've given me some great suggestions! 📚

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I haven't read Jess Kidd but have heard a lot of great things. Thank you for all the great suggestions you've given me! I appreciate it.

  • 3 жыл бұрын

    Mmh, I have never read Colin Farrell. Is he any good? LoL. Also, there is no good entry point into James Joyce imo. I love Maeve Brennan, Iris Murdoch and Edna O'Brien. Take that James! :-)

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Take that indeed!

  • @jacquelinemcmenamin8204
    @jacquelinemcmenamin82043 жыл бұрын

    I’ve read 15 books on your list. I can recommend you more ? Cannot find community tag.

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    No worries. If you have recommendations, I would welcome them!

  • @marytumulty4257
    @marytumulty42573 жыл бұрын

    “The Dead”, a story of a convivial Dublin Christmas dinner party, is an accessible starting point for Joyce. As it evolves the focus shifts to the young couple and a previously unexpressed revelation between them. [Anjelica Huston is masterful in the film adaptation.] “Angela’s Ashes” is an exceptionally revealing memoir of an immigrant family’s travails. Frank McCourt recounts his experiences with a clear eyed honesty and an appreciation for the humor of a situation where it might arise. [The film adaptation is unrelentingly bleak and gloomy. ]

  • @rainbowskygayandproud5507
    @rainbowskygayandproud55073 жыл бұрын

    colm toibin is amazing and I recommend you read love in dark times: and other explorations of gay lives and literature and mad,bad,dangerous to know the fathers of Wilde,yeats and Joyce and both are by colm toibin and there are two biographies that I want to recommend to you Greg and the first one is Oscar Wilde by Richard ellmann and the second one is called Oscar Wilde Italian dream by Renato miracco and I highly recommend them because they will tell you the truth about Oscar Wilde life because there have been so many lies about him and if you are going to read the picture of Dorian gray then I recommend you find the uncensored one because it is much better than censored one

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the recommendations! I will definitely make sure I read an uncensored Dorian Gray. I appreciate it!

  • @erinh7450
    @erinh74503 жыл бұрын

    Hm. I have also not read most of those authors! I have read Dorian Gray, and I have read a book by Colm Tóibín, but it was about Greek Mythology, not Ireland! Though I did see the movie Brooklyn... I also saw the Maeve Binchy movie, and liked it, but have not been motivated to read her books. Donal Ryan and Emma Donoghue are on my TR but not read. Now to comments on two I have read - I've read one Anne Enright, though not the one there (it was The Green Road), and found it thoroughly MEH. Would not recommend. On the other hand, while I also had trepidation about Milkman, someone suggested the audio, and I LOVED it. The narrator is pitch-perfect, and the stream-of-consciousness writing and lack of names didn't seem at all jarring. I gave it a full 5 stars, and I'm stingy. So, I'd highly recommend the audio of Milkman. But speaking of Irish authors, the audio of Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen just showed up in my Overdrive, and I'll probably start listening today!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    There's been a lot of love for the audio of Milkman, so that may be the way to do it. Thank you for all the feedback and recommendations! You've given me a lot to think about.

  • @Mrajtheartist
    @Mrajtheartist3 жыл бұрын

    💕💞💕💞💕💞💕💞💕💕💞💕💞💕💞💕💞💕

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    🤗

  • @hibiscusq5346
    @hibiscusq53463 жыл бұрын

    I haven't read any of Sally Rooney's books. She just doesn't appeal to me. I've read all of Maeve Binchy's books & all but 2 of Tana French.

  • @shiningyoonie

    @shiningyoonie

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi, may I ask which Maeve Binchy’s book would you recommend?

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I would be curious about that as well!

  • @hibiscusq5346

    @hibiscusq5346

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@shiningyoonie Quentins & Tara Road. But you can start with anyone.

  • @shiningyoonie

    @shiningyoonie

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hibiscusq5346 thank you ^^

  • @kimswhims8435

    @kimswhims8435

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm trying out my first Maeve Binchy, wanted a short one for an audiobook and enjoying it. It's called, The Lilac Bus and narrated by her sister Kate. I read Normal People, and don't feel inclined to ever pick up another of Sally Rooney's again. Not for me.

  • @flapitheflaper3592
    @flapitheflaper35922 жыл бұрын

    Give me books about the war in irsh

  • @parkerrose3590
    @parkerrose35903 жыл бұрын

    There is nothing more frustrating than giving away a book and then realizing you made a BIG mistake!

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    I moved a lot in the late 200s and early 2010s so I constantly had to unhaul books to make the size more manageable, but a lot of them also seemed to vanish during the moving process. It's frustrating for sure!

  • @-ParisTexas-
    @-ParisTexas-3 жыл бұрын

    I did a lot better on the previous list. only 3 out of the 25... Oh well...

  • @SupposedlyFun

    @SupposedlyFun

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same!