Cathy at 746 Books hosted the wonderful Reading Ireland Month challenge (or The Begorrathon as it is affectionately known) for the seventh year between Wednesday 1 and Friday 31 March 2023. I participated again this year and did far better than I expected. My goal was 4 books and 2 movies.
Here is my list of what I read and watched for Reading Ireland. I actually surpassed my goal. I read 10 books (1 children’s) and am in the process of finishing 2 others.
- A Very Irish Christmas: The Greatest Irish Holiday Stories of All Time by James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Colm Tóibín, Anne Enright, Elizabeth Bowen, Claire Keegan, William Trevor, Bernard MacLaverty REVIEW
- A Run in the Park by David Park REVIEW
- Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop by Ned Bustard REVIEW
- Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Meier (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #28.5), Lee Hollis (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #15.5), Barbara Ross (Maine Clambake Mystery #10.5) REVIEW
- Four Leaf Cleaver (A Country Store Mystery #11) by Maddie Day REVIEW
- The Shortest Day by Colm Tóibín REVIEW
- Off the Map (Beck Sisters #3) by Trish Doller REVIEW
- The Missing Ones (D.I. Lottie Parker #1) by Patricia Gibney REVIEW
- The Stolen Girls (D.I. Lottie Parker #2) by Patricia Gibney REVIEW
- The Winter Guest by W.C. Ryan REVIEW (Not posted yet)
Still Reading, but not finished in March: Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession and The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan
For Irish Culture, I watched 3 movies: The Banshees of Inisherin, Brooklyn and The Secrets of Roan Innish. My reviews are here.
As March comes to a close, I have to say that I really enjoyed Reading Ireland. I have some new authors to read and a few more movies that I plan to watch. Thanks for hosting this event again, Cathy.
March 4, 2023 at 12:24 pm
What a fun challenge. I just listened to 3 audiobooks set in Ireland. They are crime thrillers. The Harvey & Birch series by Kerry Buchanan.
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March 4, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Thanks, Kimberly. I will check them out. I am always looking for more.
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March 3, 2023 at 12:21 pm
What a fun challenge. I want to watch The Banshees of Inisherin and might try to do that this month.
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March 3, 2023 at 1:23 pm
I like dipping into Irish culture this month. I watched it yesterday and it was definitely interesting, not something I normally watch but well done. I hope you enjoy it Wendy and will be interested to hear what you think.
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March 2, 2023 at 9:45 pm
This should be an interesting month and a fun challenge!
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March 3, 2023 at 3:40 am
I am looking forward to picking up some books by authors I wouldn’t normally read. I am already getting suggestions for different ones.
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March 2, 2023 at 5:56 pm
I hope you enjoy reading Ireland. The first Irish author that popped into my head was Moira Fowley Doyle. She set her books in Ireland too.
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March 2, 2023 at 6:45 pm
I will check out her books, thanks Sam.
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March 2, 2023 at 12:02 pm
This sounds like a fun challenge! I hope that you enjoy all the Irish culture!
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March 2, 2023 at 1:15 pm
Thanks, Jodie. It is a fun way to remember St. Patrick’s Day and honor it without green beer. 😁☘
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March 2, 2023 at 10:35 am
When I think of Ireland, I always think of the Nora Roberts’ books set there. Those were fun series.
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March 2, 2023 at 10:58 am
Yes, I read and enjoyed both of them years ago.
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March 2, 2023 at 9:00 am
Good luck with your challenge, Carla.❤️
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March 2, 2023 at 9:20 am
Thanks, Michelle. I am listening to the first one later today and maybe watching one of the movies this afternoon. I am staying in today as I got too much sun yesterday.
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March 2, 2023 at 8:24 am
Good luck Carla!📚🤗💜
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March 2, 2023 at 8:28 am
Thanks, Susan. I think today would be a good day to watch one of the movies.
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March 2, 2023 at 6:51 am
I’m reading The Country Girls this month! I’d not intended to Read Ireland, but I am doing so, and enjoying it.
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March 2, 2023 at 7:03 am
I’m not familiar with The Country Girls, off to see what it is about. Enjoy, Deb.
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March 2, 2023 at 7:05 am
Here’s a little about Edna O’Brien: “Edna O’Brien is an award-winning Irish author of novels, plays, and short stories, has been hailed as one of the greatest chroniclers of the female experience in the twentieth century.”
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March 2, 2023 at 7:40 am
Thanks Deb. I am going to add The Country Girls to my reading list this month. Not sure how many I will get through, but I will try.
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March 2, 2023 at 5:04 am
I’ve never read Patricia Gibney Carla, but I’ve heard that she’s great.
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March 2, 2023 at 6:20 am
I have only read one in the middle of the series, so I want to start at the beginning and see what I think.
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March 1, 2023 at 10:49 pm
How cool!
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March 1, 2023 at 9:21 pm
What a fun way to learn more about a specific nation!
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March 1, 2023 at 9:33 pm
Yes, it is a fun month, I shall see how I do.
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