Play Book Tag discussion

I'm kind of bummed I read Brooklyn this month, but it's a great read and short if you don't have a lot of time. Since I already own it, and has been sitting on my shelf forever, I will be readingDubliners.

Nicole R wrote: "Barbara, totally go with Born in Fire! It has been a long time since I read that trilogy but I remember really enjoying it."

Nicole, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't chimed in on this one! :-) Glad to hear it is one of her good ones. I just heard from the library that its waiting for me!

MaryAnn (EmilyD1037) wrote: "I am going to try for Angela's Ashes. It is on my TBR.
I also think I have another one but will have to look."

I truly enjoyed the author reading Angela on the audio book- highly recommend it.

Michael wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I've put a couple of books on reserve at my library but I'm not sure just how much I'll get to this month. ..."

Tana French is great. I don't know wjy I stopped after 2 of tje Dubl..."

Thanks for the recommendation. I've ordered it from the library.

JoLene wrote: "I have read several books by Marian Keyes. She had a series about the Walsh sisters. ..."

I'm reading Watermelon right now. It's the first Walsh book. I've not read any of the others.

JoLene wrote: "Also, I think you'd like the Fever series as escapist --- if you haven't read them. I think the first book is Darkfever..."

The Darkfever series was fun! I've only read the first 5. I believe there are a few more now, as well.

LibraryCin wrote: "JoLene wrote: "Also, I think you'd like the Fever series as escapist --- if you haven't read them. I think the first book is Darkfever..."

The Darkfever series was fun! I've only read the first 5...."

Yeah, I haven't read any of the newer ones. I think she started a trilogy about Dani, but I really didn't like that character much.

I thought it was about Dani, as well, but someone recently told me the next (6th) book was, but not all after that. I can't remember how many more books there are. And maybe I'm not quite remembering correctly. I liked Dani, so I might read it.

At a minimum, I'd like to read Trinity. If time permits, I'd also like to read any or all of the following: Cathedral, The Green Road and U2 at the End of the World.

In terms of suggestions, I don't have that many (and these are a stretch): Patriot Games, Let the Great World Spin, Netherland and Small Mercies.

Btw, a quick question for the group: does anyone know if Han Solo was Irish? He sure seemed like he might have a little Irish in him...full disclosure, I am 100% Irish and I am also glad Ireland beat out Star Wars for the monthly tag (and I like Star Wars).

At the moment, The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle is my top choice. Several years ago I read somewhere that it was J K Rowlings' favorite book. I've been meaning to read it ever since.

Other considerations would be something by Toibin as I've yet to try any of his books. I've read two of Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series so could decide to decide to swing that way again.

Charlie wrote: "At a minimum, I'd like to read Trinity. If time permits, I'd also like to read any or all of the following: Cathedral, The Green Road and [book:U2 at the E..."
Fascinating choices. I forgot aboit thrillers involving the IRA. That Enright book looks very promising too.

Denizen wrote: "At the moment, The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle is my top choice. ...."

I gave that one 5 stars, but all my GR friends rated ot less, half 3 stars or less.

If yo'd like to read some classics:
Gulliver's Travels and
Castle Rackrent. Maria Edgeworth is Anglo-Irish so there may be others that suit, but Castle Rackrent is the Irish novel that springs to mind.

Yesterday I noticed The Girl Who Came Home: A Novel of the Titanic by Hazel Gaynor was shelved under Ireland by many readers. Another book I bought on sale and need to read.

Also noticed this morning that My Left Foot would work for the Ireland tag.

Lisa A. ✿ wrote: "Yesterday I noticed The Girl Who Came Home: A Novel of the Titanic by Hazel Gaynor was shelved u..."

I really liked this book more than I thought I would.

I'm going to attempt The Picture of Dorian Gray as it also qualifies for one of my other book groups. I've been wanting to read this one for quite some time, so I'm excited to finally get to it!

Anita wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "I honestly would have been happy with any of the tag options but Ireland is March-appropriate!

I will be reading Island of Glass by Nora Roberts, the final instal..."

Anita, I didn't hate Dorian Gray, but I thought it was at best average. I gave it 3 stars. I am glad I read it though as it is referenced so much in pop culture.

I read a lot of Irish novels. I am thrilled! I suggest:

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (my all time favotite, though Dubliners may be more accessible.
Edward Rutherfurd's two books The Princes of Ireland and The Rebels of Ireland
Morgan Llwelyn's Irish Century series starting with 1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion
The Country Girls TrilogyThe Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien
Thirteen Ways of Looking (mostly set in NYC but greatly informed by the main character's time in Ireland)

I will read from among the following, all of which I own:
Ireland
At Swim, Two Boys
In the Forest
Ulysses
Pomegranate Soup
The Wild Irish
Confessions of a Pagan Nun
Gulliver's Travels
Castle Rackrent

Oh and also The Importance of Being Earnest

Sara wrote: "I read a lot of Irish novels. I am thrilled! I suggest:

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (my all time favotite, though Dubliners may be more accessible.
Edward Ruth..."

Those Morgan Llewelyn titles sound very appealing.

I've started my Irish books. Now I look forward to NOT seeing the colorful cows. They are quirky, but I'm tired of them.

I haven't been able to check in much (work is crazy busy and I'm racking up overtime) so please pardon my late entry regarding Irish books.

My top recommendation is Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury's Adventures Making Moby Dick with John Huston in Ireland. It's a funny little tale of the author visiting Ireland while trying to write the screenplay for Moby Dick. He says he's going to "figure out the Irish" and everyone thinks that's pretty amusing. It's a little goofy and a little satircal and pretty short. I enjoyed it.

I might pick up the second in the Dublin Murder Squad series, The Likeness, by Tana French on audio. I listened to the first on audio and that worked really well for me.

Kimber wrote: "I might pick up the second in the Dublin Murder Squad series, The Likeness, by Tana French on audio. I listened to the first on audio and that worked really well for me.
."

I've read all but Broken Harbor - which I will read for this tag. The Likeness is by far my least favorite of the series. It just felt preposterous. JMHO

I just picked up Brooklyn and A Modern Proposal from the library. A Modern Proposal seemed to be no more than 10 pages. Is this correct? I thought it was like 50? Granted the writing/typefont is small. It came in an anthology called A Modern Proposal and Other Writings.

A couple more candidates leapt off the library shelves. One by Timothy Egan, The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero, is about a Thomas Meagher, who was jailed by the Brits for rebellion in the 1849s, shipped to Tasmania, from which he escaped to America, where he fought in the Civil War and ended up Governor of Montana. Another promising book from the give-away pile, A Long Long Way, by Sebastian Barry, is a highly rated tale of a man who was involved with the Easter Rising but still volunteered to fight with the Brits in World War 1.

Sara wrote: "I read a lot of Irish novels. I am thrilled! I suggest:

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (my all time favotite, though Dubliners may be more accessible...."

An Edna O'Brien fan. I have the desire and collected a couple, but I just need your nudge maybe. The Flan O'Brien looks fun so I hope we intersect on that (Third Policeman looks tobe more fun, but not at my library).

Gotta say that while I love the current banner - panoramic view of Ireland's coast - I will miss those quirky cows!

Amy wrote: "I just picked up Brooklyn and A Modern Proposal from the library. A Modern Proposal seemed to be no more than 10 pages. Is this correct? I thought it was like 50? Granted the writing/typefont is sm..."

Did you mean A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift? If so, some of the paperback versions are around 25 pages. Btw, there is a book called Ireland's Modern Proposal by Jason Walsh but it doesn't seem to have any ratings yet.

Book Concierge wrote: "Gotta say that while I love the current banner - panoramic view of Ireland's coast - I will miss those quirky cows!"

I liked the cows too! They were Andy Warhol, and I like Warhol a lot. Maybe not to display in my home (if I could afford it!) but I find him interesting.

Nicole R wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Gotta say that while I love the current banner - panoramic view of Ireland's coast - I will miss those quirky cows!"

I liked the cows too! They were Andy Warhol, and I like ..."

I will not miss the cows. This banner is restful to the eyes. I love it.

Nicole R wrote: "I liked the cows too! They were Andy Warhol, and I like Warhol a lot..."

I'm a big fan of Warhol also and I loved the cows - the banner this month is beautiful.

I missed the voting boat (again) but am SO PUMPED for this topic! I am Irish (from America). I cannot wait to read some Irish books!

I will read:
Wild Irish Heart (because I got it for free & it's been on my to-read list for a bit now.)

and maybe:
P.S. I Love You

Michael wrote: "An Edna O'Brien fan. I have the desire and collected a couple, but I just need your nudge maybe. The Flan O'Brien looks fun so I hope we intersect on that (Third Policeman looks tobe more fun, but not at my library). ..."

Which Edna O'Brien books do you have? I have greatly enjoyed the four books I have read by her.

Flann O'Brien actually wrote At Swim-Two-Birds, and I am hoping to read Jamie O'Neill's At Swim, Two Boys. F. O'Brien's book is one I would like to read as well, but I am hoping to stick to the books I own. Looking forward to your review though.

I love the new image, but I liked the cows too. :)

I LOVE the new image! So lovely and beautiful. I totally missed the vote, though, so have no idea what I'd have voted for. I've been busy figuring out a big reading challenge and how I'm going to fit this shelf into it (that last part isn't answered quite yet, but I'm working on it).

Jgrace wrote: "I will not miss the cows. This banner is restful to the eyes. I love it. ..."

I'm not a Warhol fan, either, nor will I miss the cows! :-) Happy happy happy to have a beautiful Ireland photo to look at instead!

I'll definitely be reading either James Joyce or Oscar Wilde. Perhaps Dubliners? I'd like to try something really short, as it's already the 6th of March, and I haven't finished The Second Sex yet. Not to mention that I still struggle reading English novels.

Has anyone read The Glorious Heresies?

Looks interesting.

I had great plans for January and February and didn't read the tag -- hoping that the third time is the charm! I'd like something fun and light and I'm thinking that Marian Keyes will fit the bill. Watermelon or Cracks in My Foundation, which sounds like a Nora Ephron book that I loved, I Feel Bad about My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman.

Kathy wrote: "I had great plans for January and February and didn't read the tag -- hoping that the third time is the charm! I'd like something fun and light and I'm thinking that Marian Keyes will..."

Loved Watermelon

I just began listening to P.S. I Love You and it is AMAZING.

Ashley Breanna wrote: "I just began listening to P.S. I Love You and it is AMAZING."

I loved that movie but I don't know if my heart could take reading the book; I cried so much!

Those still struggling with finishing the Irish tag here is a short list:

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/boo...