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Bibliofemme: Features
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Christmas Recommendations
Still stuck for Christmas present ideas? Check out
what Bibliofemme recommends for all your book buys. For our list of recommendations by family member click here
Classics
An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro
(Published by Faber Fiction Classics S)
The gently unwinding tale of Masuji Ono is told
through his own recounting and dialogue with his
family and old acquaintances. Nothing is said
outright, the language is formal and polite to the
point of not saying anything at all. It teaches much
about politics, art and personal histories. A subtle
and beautiful masterpiece.
Buy it for: Those interested in japanese culture and
history. 
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
(Published by Penguin Modern Classics)
To say I loved this book would be a complete
understatement. This book draws you in, there is
nothing Steinbeck can't do, not only does he explore
the meaning of life, the story-line in this books
gallops along like any of the best thrillers I have
ever read, couldn't put it down - didn't want to put
it down. 
General Fiction
Beatrice by Noelle Harrison
(Published by Gill and Macmillan)
An intelligent, tender and utterly convincing first novel set in the darkly beautiful landscape of County Meath. There is so much to enjoy about this book, but I particularly loved Harrison's evocation of the childhood relationship between Eithne and her enigmatic older sister.
Buy it for: your sister. 
Enduring Love by Ian McEwan
(Published by Vintage)
This is a page-turner but not one of car chases and
heists. Here, the gripping suspense comes from the
depiction and understanding of human psychology,
relationships and weaving a tapestry of words that are
utterly fraught and believable.
Buy it for: This is a cross genre book that will suit
many types of reader; those who like thrillers,
literature, psychological drama. Also for those who
loved the film.
Ireland: A Novel by Frank Delaney
(Published by Little Brown)
This is the book that Frank Delaney describes as the
end of his apprenticeship. Considering the books he
has already written - including The Bell Walk, At
Ruby's, Pearl - this is a pretty powerful statement,
but does Ireland: A Novel live up to Delaney's
expectations? - quite simply, yes it does. Delaney has
attempted to explain our natural heritage to us by
using legends and myths and stories we all heard when
we were children and he has done it brilliantly.
Leviathan by Paul Auster
(Faber Fiction Classics S.)
Benjamin Sachs' story is conveyed through the eyes of
his friend Peter Aaron, a novelist who discovers in
the book's opening pages that Sachs has died in a
mysterious bomb explosion. A psychological narrative
with action.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Time
by Mark Haddon
(Published by Vintage)
Delightfully different, clever and charming, this book
is the perfect gift for the
non-reader in the family. 
Literature
Brokeback Mountain by E Annie Proulx
(Published by Fourth Estate)
Amazingly beautifully written. This brought tears to
my eyes. Perfect.
Good Behaviour by Molly Keane
(Published by Virago Press )
Poignant, humorous and written with effortless grace -
a masterpiece.
Buy if for: Fans of Elizabeth Bowen, Nancy Mitford or
Virginia Woolf - apart from that, anyone who reads classic Irish
literature. 
Loving Che by Ana Menendez
(Published by Review)
Tells a fictional story of a woman's search for her
Cuban mother who may have had an affair with Che
Guevara.
Buy if for: My mum loved this, so its for anyone who wants
Cuba brought to life for them or who enjoyed The
Motorcycle Diaries.
The Master by Colm Tóibín
(Published by Picador)
Focusing on the life of Henry James, Tobin has created
a wonderful work of fiction that reads like a
biography. This is an absorbing novel and although
knowledge of James prior to reading it would be an
advantage, it is not necessary, as Tóibín easily
explores his interior life and imparts to the reader
any information they need to know.
Two Serious Ladies by Jane Bowles
(Published by Peter Owen)
A landmark book of women's self-discovery that is
blackly comic.
Buy if for: Your best mate, people who like obscure
literature, anyone interested in feminism.
Irish
Only Say the Word by Niall Williams
(Picador)
I recommend this as a book to get entirely lost in. It
does have a certain morosity to it, in that death is
one of its main themes, but the quality of Williams'
writing will sweep you away. Particularly recommended
for anyone interested in the process of writing
Tatty by Christine Dwyer Hickey
(Published by New Island)
Tatty tells the story of a young girl growing up in
inner city Dublin, her alcoholic parents are at best
indifferent, at worst suicidal and violent.
Dwyer-Hickey uses language that is so simple it is
genius. Brilliantly written, Tatty is a harrowing yet
somehow humorous tale. Go out and buy it.
The Captain with the Whiskers by Benedict Kiely
(Published by Methuen)
A classic tale of the Irish family patriarchal bully
written in a
very distinct style. It's a coming of age tale that
addresses lots of issues of the 1960s.
Buy if for: Your parents or grandparents
The Quiet Quarter edited by Eoin Brady
Writer
(New Island Books)
A Christmas book gift for anyone and everyone. It will
sit on your coffee
table or by your bed like an exquisite box of
chocolates: highly enjoyable,
whether you're the type to savour the short narratives
one by one or devour ten in one go!
Time Tracks by Michael Cronin
(New Island)
Michael Cronin's Time Tracks, makes for a poignant
and gloriously funny mediation on Irish life.
Buy it for: All your friends and family who are
pining for Christmas back home on the emerald isle.
Biography/Autobiography
Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy
(Published by Methuen)
A heartbreaking, witty, well-written account of
childhood cancer, disfigurement and perceptions of
beauty.
Buy it for: Your mum: It deals a lot with the
relationship with her mother through Grealy's illness.
Pure Heart Enlightened Mind by Maura 'Soshin'
O'Halloran
(Riverhead Books / HarperCollins /Tuttle Publishing )
The diary entries and letters of a young Irish Woman
Maura O'Halloran, written while she received Zen
training and worked towards "enlightenment" in
Japanese Zen Monasteries. Get the self-improvement
junkie in your life to ditch the self-help manuals and
read this wonderful true and poignant story.
The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad
(Published by Virago Press)
Åsne Seierstad is a journalist. Based in Afghanistan
after the fall of the Taliban, she met a bookseller
called Sultan Kahn. Sultan agreed to allow Åsne to
move into his home and experience first hand life in
the newly liberated capital city of Kabul.
Brilliantly written - a truly enlightening glimpse of
a world that I hope will soon disappear.
Cult
How the Light Gets In by MJ Hyland
(Published by Canongate)
A dark, destructive coming-of-age story told in
Hyland's clipped but expressive prose.
Buy if for: It will resonate with teenagers but anyone
who liked The Catcher in the Rye or The Outsiders
will love this.
Chicklit
The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes
(Published by Poolbeg)
The Other Side of the Story is written in a chatty
style that is typical of Keyes. It will make you laugh
out loud and you won't want to put it down.
Historical Fiction
Passing Under Heaven by Justin Hill
(Published by Abacus)
Evocative tale of China's first female poet (who
happened to
be a courtesan and concubine). Hill is a master of
description and language.
Buy if for: A friend or sister or anyone with an
interest in epic
tales.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
(Published by Pan)
Anita Diamant's book is basically a celebration of
womanhood, her main character's life is blessed with
great love, great sorrow and even greater hardship and
the narrative is so well written it will have you
believe that this work of fiction is in fact a
biography written by Dinah herself.
Thriller/Horror
Nocturnes by John Connolly
(Published by Hodder Headline)
Chilling collection of spooky fireside tales perfect
for winter reading.
Buy if for: Your brother will love this, or your Dad,
or any man in your life really...
The Burning Girl by Mark Billingham
(Published by Little Brown)
Burning Girl is Billingham's fourth novel and once
again he has delivered. Ignoring conventional
crime-telling methods, Billingham uses dry wit and
humour to draw the reader in, lending a voice of
authenticity to the story. If you read one thriller
this year - read this.
Reference
A Dictionary of Hiberno-English by Terence Patrick
Dolan
(Published by Gill & MacMillan)
Not just a dictionary, this is more of an
encyclopaedia, overview of Irish oral and cultural
history with a bit of Schott's miscellany thrown in. A
surprising page-turner.
Buy it for: Your dad, any non-Irish friends, trivia
buffs and friends who write.
Short Story
Cutting the Night in Two edited by Evelyn Conlon &
Hans-Christian Oeser
(Published by New Island)
A collection of classic and contemporary short stories
by Irish women writers.
Buy if for: Anyone you know who likes literature or
fans of the short story.
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