As Christmas fast approaches, don’t panic: Irish Country
Living have a selection of books to interest the picky teen, the has-it-all friend or the country lover. We profile five recently released books that are worth a punt and are out now in all good bookshops.
For the gigglerMy wife is
Married to a Feckin’ Eejit by Bernard O’Shea
Everyone has some sort of story to tell about their other half. The Laois comedy writer and performer, Bernard O’Shea, shares his own account of the trials and tribulations of family life which is made even harder when you’re married to a Feckin’ Eejit, as Lorna his wife has nicknamed him.
Bernard and Lorna have been
married for nearly 12 years. With three young children to juggle along with Bernard’s “eejitry”, Lorna has had a tough journey. Bernard asked her to tell him to the top three most stupid things he had ever done; she managed to list 20. These mishaps are ones many of us can relate to from the “Great Dishwasher Row of 2009”, to attempting to do the food shopping with the children and Bernard’s hopeless attempts at DIY. We all have someone in our life who has done some if not all of these and more.
For the fashionistaThe Pippa Guide by Pippa O’Connor Ormond
Following on from the success of her first book, Pippa O’Connor Ormond has written The Pippa Guide, which aims to give an honest and revealing guide to modern life. Pippa believes you can do anything you want to if you set your mind to it. The award-winning businesswoman is the brains behind one of Ireland’s leading lifestyle blogs as well as being the founder of two brands in POCO By Pippa and the Pippa Collection.
Pippa shares personal moments, experiences and life lessons that have made her the woman she is today. The book covers a range of topics from excelling at work, making your house feel like a home even when you’re renting, styling your wardrobe, perfecting your beauty routine, as well as a little about Pippa herself.
For the comedian Dear Johnnies
by The 2 Johnnies
The 2 Johnnies have been partners in crime since 2010 when they became roommates and bonded over a common interest in music, comedy and GAA. Together, they have had five number-one singles as well as a sold-out live tour and have graced Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships with their presence.
The lads are considered Ireland’s answer to Ant and Dec; they’re also often compared to the D’Unbelievables. The idea for the book came from a popular segment on their 2 Johnnies Podcast, where troubled fans write in letters with problems for the lads to act as agony aunts (or uncles) to answer. This book covers a multitude of dilemmas from living with housemates to having a baby, from moving to Dublin to social media, and of course not forgetting the GAA.
For the nostalgic A Listening Ear
by Michael Healy-Rae
Michael Healy-Rae,
the well-known independent politician from Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, has released his second collection of tales from a forgotten Ireland.
A Listening Ear is neither political nor memoir but it will bring you back to the countryside and characters from Healy-Rae’s Kerry childhood. A tribute to the streets, sights and environment in which he grew up, tales include the time he and his father Jackie Healy-Rae were flashed by a woman in Annascaul and a failed business venture in the foliage industry. You will read through the book with a nostalgic laugh along the way.
For the musician Bruised,
Never Broken by Phil Coulter
This book is the biography of one of Ireland’s most iconic musicians. Phil Coulter is a native of Co Derry and is a producer, composer and arranger. He has enjoyed a five-decade career as a creator and solo recording artist, with his work widely recognised. Phil has earned an impressive list of awards, which include 23 platinum discs, 39 gold discs, 52 silver discs and a Grammy nomination.
Phil brings you on a journey right back to his childhood in war-torn Derry where there appeared to be little chance of an artistic career. You will learn in his own words how he reached the dizzy heights of global charts as a composer and became a friend to some of the biggest stars like Luke Kelly, Cliff Richard and Sandie Shaw.
If you or your loved one has an e-reader, check online for the e-book version of the book you are looking for. An e-book tends to be cheaper and there are a wide range of books available in e-book format.
Read more
Cathy Kelly: the hen whisperer
The small ads with big stories
Page turners: series or standalone
As Christmas fast approaches, don’t panic: Irish Country
Living have a selection of books to interest the picky teen, the has-it-all friend or the country lover. We profile five recently released books that are worth a punt and are out now in all good bookshops.
For the gigglerMy wife is
Married to a Feckin’ Eejit by Bernard O’Shea
Everyone has some sort of story to tell about their other half. The Laois comedy writer and performer, Bernard O’Shea, shares his own account of the trials and tribulations of family life which is made even harder when you’re married to a Feckin’ Eejit, as Lorna his wife has nicknamed him.
Bernard and Lorna have been
married for nearly 12 years. With three young children to juggle along with Bernard’s “eejitry”, Lorna has had a tough journey. Bernard asked her to tell him to the top three most stupid things he had ever done; she managed to list 20. These mishaps are ones many of us can relate to from the “Great Dishwasher Row of 2009”, to attempting to do the food shopping with the children and Bernard’s hopeless attempts at DIY. We all have someone in our life who has done some if not all of these and more.
For the fashionistaThe Pippa Guide by Pippa O’Connor Ormond
Following on from the success of her first book, Pippa O’Connor Ormond has written The Pippa Guide, which aims to give an honest and revealing guide to modern life. Pippa believes you can do anything you want to if you set your mind to it. The award-winning businesswoman is the brains behind one of Ireland’s leading lifestyle blogs as well as being the founder of two brands in POCO By Pippa and the Pippa Collection.
Pippa shares personal moments, experiences and life lessons that have made her the woman she is today. The book covers a range of topics from excelling at work, making your house feel like a home even when you’re renting, styling your wardrobe, perfecting your beauty routine, as well as a little about Pippa herself.
For the comedian Dear Johnnies
by The 2 Johnnies
The 2 Johnnies have been partners in crime since 2010 when they became roommates and bonded over a common interest in music, comedy and GAA. Together, they have had five number-one singles as well as a sold-out live tour and have graced Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships with their presence.
The lads are considered Ireland’s answer to Ant and Dec; they’re also often compared to the D’Unbelievables. The idea for the book came from a popular segment on their 2 Johnnies Podcast, where troubled fans write in letters with problems for the lads to act as agony aunts (or uncles) to answer. This book covers a multitude of dilemmas from living with housemates to having a baby, from moving to Dublin to social media, and of course not forgetting the GAA.
For the nostalgic A Listening Ear
by Michael Healy-Rae
Michael Healy-Rae,
the well-known independent politician from Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, has released his second collection of tales from a forgotten Ireland.
A Listening Ear is neither political nor memoir but it will bring you back to the countryside and characters from Healy-Rae’s Kerry childhood. A tribute to the streets, sights and environment in which he grew up, tales include the time he and his father Jackie Healy-Rae were flashed by a woman in Annascaul and a failed business venture in the foliage industry. You will read through the book with a nostalgic laugh along the way.
For the musician Bruised,
Never Broken by Phil Coulter
This book is the biography of one of Ireland’s most iconic musicians. Phil Coulter is a native of Co Derry and is a producer, composer and arranger. He has enjoyed a five-decade career as a creator and solo recording artist, with his work widely recognised. Phil has earned an impressive list of awards, which include 23 platinum discs, 39 gold discs, 52 silver discs and a Grammy nomination.
Phil brings you on a journey right back to his childhood in war-torn Derry where there appeared to be little chance of an artistic career. You will learn in his own words how he reached the dizzy heights of global charts as a composer and became a friend to some of the biggest stars like Luke Kelly, Cliff Richard and Sandie Shaw.
If you or your loved one has an e-reader, check online for the e-book version of the book you are looking for. An e-book tends to be cheaper and there are a wide range of books available in e-book format.
Read more
Cathy Kelly: the hen whisperer
The small ads with big stories
Page turners: series or standalone
This is a subscriber-only article
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