We’re all in need of some escapism while staying at home, so to keep our minds engaged and our lives filled with excitement, we have teamed up with Louise O’Neill, bestselling author. Louise was our author in residence at The Metropole Hotel Cork in 2019 and she has very kindly shared her top 5 books you should read while staying home. These books will challenge you, inspire you, humour you and keep you on your toes from the comfort of your own home. We guarantee with these reads, you won’t be short of something to chat about on your next zoom call so don’t forget to share the list with friends and colleagues to start your own virtual book club and engage in some though provoking discussions.
Grab a cuppa, find a cushion and choose from one of Louise O’Neill’s top 5 book recommendations.
1. Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid.
When a young black babysitter is accused of kidnapping her white charge, her employer sets out to ‘make things right’. Exhilarating, confronting, and addictive in equal measures, this is the novel we need in 2020.
2. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano.
A sold-out flight from New York to Los Angeles crashes, and there is only one survivor, a twelve-year-old boy called Edward. He is quickly hailed the ‘Miracle Boy’ in the wake of the disaster, but he struggles with trauma and the grief of losing his entire family. This is an astonishing novel which almost broke my heart.
3. Grown Ups by Marian Keyes.
The Caseys are a glamourous family, using any opportunity they can to spend time together. But at a birthday party, one careless remark threatens to reveal all the secrets they’ve been keeping from one another. It’s wise, empathetic, and compassionate; Marian Keyes at her best. I absolutely loved it.
4. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell.
An adult woman has to re-evaluate the ‘love affair’ she had with her teacher when she was fifteen years old. I read a proof of this book a year ago and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. Challenging, provocative, and uncompromising, this is Lolita subverted for a post #MeToo age.
5. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.
Elena Richardson has the perfect life, the perfect family, and she lives in the perfect town of Shaker Heights in Ohio but the arrival of Mia Warren, a single mother with a healthy disregard for the rules, looks set to upend all that. Read this superb novel before watching the Hulu adapation starring Reece Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
The Metropole Pick…
Thanks to Louise for her above suggestions, all worthy novels of course, however, we couldn’t let you go before reminding you that Louise O’Neills newest novel is due to released the end of this year. We could not be more excited, it looks absolutely amazing and you can pre-order now so that you don’t miss it!
Available to pre-order on Easons HERE
Before you go…
Now more than ever local businesses need your support, especially as we have seen too many book stores close over the past two years. When ordering from home, please choose to support local if possible. Some of our favourite Cork book suppliers include:
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