Celebrating Irish Literature

By Caitie Woolridge, Steph Carroll, Charlotte Horsfield and Rebecca Weigler

Habitat by Catriona Shine

7 March, The Lilliput Press

Norway-based Irish writer Catriona Shine debuts her first novel, Habitat, after a series of short-form successes. Habitat follows the seven residents of an apartment building in Oslo who will soon learn that crisis cannot be borne alone. In an apartment block filled with acquaintances, family, grievances and longing, the residents will realise that they are more intertwined than they thought when their apartment building begins to disappear around them. 

Over the course of a week, the residents become entrenched in an ominous crisis and struggle to leave the confines of their homes and come together. Shine explores the way that people disconnect themselves into worlds of their own, investigating the perspective of the walls that surround them.

A novel rooted in human connection, Shine highlights that through chaos and crisis, we can find solace in shared experiences.

The Hunter by Tana French

7 March, Viking

American-Irish bestselling author Tana French returns with a slow-burn suspense novel, packed full of tension and trouble.

Cal Hooper has moved to the West of Ireland, leaving behind his life as a Chicago Detective, in search of peace. In the beginning, he found peace through a relationship with a local woman, Lena, and through a bond he’s made with semi-wild teenager Trey.

However, this peace is swiftly disrupted when two men turn up  looking for gold in the townland as part of a money-making scheme, making Cal realise how far he would go to protect someone he loves – as one of these men is Trey’s father.

But Trey doesn’t want Cal’s protection… she wants revenge.

The Hunter explores what we sacrifice when the two worlds of protecting those we love and a drive for revenge collide. This suspenseful novel is not one to miss.

Barcelona by Mary Costello

7 March, Canongate Books

As featured on The Irish Times’ list of ‘Fiction to look out for in 2024,’ comes a thought-provoking collection of short stories by Irish author Mary Costello. 

Set in Barcelona, each story centres around the internal world of a number of characters whose personal issues lie at the forefront of each character’s individual story. A selection of the stories are as follows:

A marriage falls apart in a hotel room when the young female protagonist becomes overwhelmed by memories of her former partner to such an extent that she cannot think clearly. 

A father makes a significant journey to Paris to see his son whom he imagines to be a successful scientist. But is his son all that he seems? 

Attending a reading by a successful and revered author forces a woman to face the truth regarding her own marriage.

This March brings an interesting and varied range of short stories that will transport readers to the inner worlds of each character. Each story examines real life by confronting the darker side of humanity through a series of different settings, allowing us to glance at a range of different characters as they face sliding doors moments in their lives.

This is Not a Self-Help Book by Mark Mehigan

14 March, Gill Books

Following Mark Mehigan’s inspiring story of regaining control of a life he had become tired of, This is Not a Self-Help Book is written as a guide to help readers who may have experienced a similar past and are looking for the motivation to build new habits. Mark’s story is a glimpse at the Irish comedian’s struggles with addiction and mental health issues, as well as a difficult period of feeling lost during his twenties, shedding light on the not-so-stand-up moments of his life. 

This memoir is not meant to be a self-help book (hence the title), but a personal insight offering words of wisdom for anyone who wishes to seek it, or just to connect with a story about hope and the journeys we take throughout life.