Recommended Reads header

Recommended Reads

Recommended Reads

From insightful non-fiction to gripping thrillers to future classics, we hope you'll enjoy these books as much as we do! Earn double loyalty points on this month's choices.

A new month brings new stories, and we’re excited to share our latest recommendations of the books our staff members have loved this month.

Find these must-reads in our shops and online now. Happy browsing!

View all of our Recommended Reads from this year here.

The Visit - Neil Tully

The Visit

"As the excited residents of New Ross prepare for the visit of President J.F. Kennedy, Sergeant Jim Field’s excitement is peppered with anxiety, worrying over troubled young Patrick Hatten, who is alienated and judged by this small-town community. With a tense plot, beautiful lyrical prose, and characters that hit you right in the heart, this accomplished debut poignantly reflects on society’s influence on the most vulnerable among us. Perfect for fans of Donal Ryan, Niall Williams, Sara Baume or John McGahern."

Recommended by Karen, Dubray Grafton St.

Spare, authentic, effortlessly lyrical, it is a stunning novel, the work of a writer of the first order' - Donal Ryan

Rec Read

Broken Country - Claire Leslie Hall

"Beth is happily married to Frank until the return of Gabriel, her first love, changes everything. Told in two parts, we are shown both of Beth's relationships whilst in the present day a criminal trial will change your opinion of characters you thought you knew. A love triangle, a gripping murder mystery and themes of grief and loss will keep you enthralled, whilst the emotional twists and turns will bring a tear to your eye. So worth the read!"

Recommended by Sinead, Dubray Dundrum

'An unforgettable story of love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives . . . " - Reese Witherspoon

Rec Read

Broken Country

Few and Far Between - Jan Carson

Few and Far Between

"In 1958, a ludicrous proposal to drain Lough Neagh was, quite understandably, never implemented. In this intriguing book, Carson offers an alternative history of Northen Ireland in which this scheme had been implemented, and the ensuing islands became home to a utopian community known as The Ark. Fifty years on, the islands are at risk of being submerged once again and the remaining residents are faced with a future they are ill equipped for. A darkly humorous, and brilliantly absorbing story. "

Recommended by Susan, Dubray Support Office

'No writer captures the absurdity and beauty of life quite like [Jan Carson] does' - Sara Baume

Rec Read

into the wreck - Susannah Dickey

"An insight into loss, grief and life from five different perspectives, into the wreck shares the story of a family who, following the unexpected death of the distant and allusive family patriarch, are forced to deal with the grief this leaves behind. Their present mourning forces them to examine their pasts, and face their futures, while simultaneously considering their relationships and connections with each other. A great, reflective book, with thoughtful and deliberate prose, perfect for anyone interested in contemporary Irish Literature."

Recommended by Siúin, Dubray Grafton St

'A wonderfully stylish writer with an unwavering eye' - John Patrick McHugh

Rec Read

Into the Wreck

The Name Game - Beth O'Leary

The Name Game

"A fresh start, a dream job, and a move to a charming island. Charlie Jones is more than ready for this new chapter in her life. That is, until another Charlie Jones shows up with the exact same plan. Filled with a cast of characters who will keep you on your toes, join both Charlies on their search for purpose on the island, as they try to keep their pasts at bay. An extremely amusing page-turner full of charm, chaos, and sincerity."

Recommended by Jessie, Dubray Grafton St

"So gorgeously life-affirming and heart-warming. I loved it so much, just a complete joy" - Paige Toon

Rec Read

I Love You Don’t Die - Jade Song

"As a copywriter selling bespoke urns from an apartment above a Chinatown funeral parlour, Vicky’s life literally revolves around death. After being encouraged to rejoin the dating scene by her best (and only) friend Jen, she finds an unexpected connection amidst navigating her depression and professional success. Song’s writing perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being a 20-something struggling to find meaning in a world that’s falling apart. I Love You Don’t Die is a tender look at mental health, life, and death."

Recommended by Jessica, Dubray Waterford

"I Love You, Don't Die is luminous, tender and an absolute gut punch. A melancholic must read." -- Lucy Rose, author of THE LAMB

Rec Read

I Love You Don’t Die

Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke

Yesteryear

"Natalie is the perfect trad-wife American mommy influencer: she has a perfect family, a perfect farm, and a perfect lifestyle living off the land, encouraging others to follow suit in the American Dream. But when she wakes up living in the era that she is so desperately trying to mimic, her 'dream life' becomes a horrifying reality. Filled with complex characters, this novel adds a new outlook to the tradwife and influencer trope, touching on the dangers of romanticising the perfect online image."

Recommended by Sarah, Dubray Swords

'An absolutely unhinged (in a good way) novel. When I tell you the ending is off the rails, I am telling you the ending is off the rails' - Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist

Rec Read

All Them Dogs - Djamel White

"Tony Ward is back in town and, after five years hiding out in England, everything has changed. His former partner in crime has left the gang life, his old mentor is dead, and the gangs he once knew are now unrecognisable. When he is offered an opportunity to re-establish himself in Dublin’s underground by working alongside an old schoolmate, he quickly discovers he has bit off more than he can chew. A sharp and snappy thriller from a powerful new voice."

Recommended by Isobel, Dubray Dun Laoghaire

'Exhilarating and often frightening . . . a hugely satisfying read' - Roddy Doyle

Rec Read

All Them Dogs

Monkeypig - Huw Aaron

Monkeypig

"Molly must undergo intense monkey-ability tests to prove she’s not an imposter. Her problem? She isn’t a monkey at all. She’s a pig! But surely nobody will notice…Another hilarious picture book from the author of Sleep Tight Disgusting Blob."

Reading Age 3+

Recommended by Kate, Dubray Bray

A chortlingly good read - The Bookseller

Rec Read

Ellora McGee, Trainee Banshee: The Pooka Plant - Sinead O'Hart

"Ellora plants a "Listening Lily" to help her magical school with magical leaves that provides the answers to whatever questions it hears. Things go topsy-turvy fast! This charming tale tackles themes of technology, with fun Irish-language words sprinkled in."

Reading Age 5+

Recommended by Oisin, Dubray Grafton St

Rec Read

Ellora McGee Trainee Banshee

Small Magics - Alex Dunne

Small Magics

"After discovering she has special powers, Molly, along with her new foster siblings, must help defend Ireland's magical beings from the dark forces that are putting them all in danger. A spellbinding story full of humour, and heart."

Reading Age 9+

Recommended by Kate, Dubray Bray

"With a deep, rich world, a great protagonist and the kind of found family you immediately want to be a part of, there's nothing small about the magic of this book. I devoured it in one sitting, and it left me excited for more." - Dave Rudden, author of Knights of the Borrowed Dark and Tales of Darkisle

Rec Read

The Last Death Poet - Stephen Daly

"When Michael moves back to Belfast to his family he discovers that he has the ability to see back in time to the city's troubled past, an ability he believes he shares with his missing father. Tyring to use his gift to find his father before he's lost forever, the resulting story is a fascinating blend of contemporary, supernatural horror with the deep history, myths and legends of Ireland."

Reading Age 14+

Recommended by Shiane, Grafton St

'A refreshing new voice in YA, Stephen Daly daringly mixes northern Irish history, a tender coming out story, and dark magic to produce something big-hearted, clear-eyed and deeply touching. You'll fall in love with The Last Death Poet.' - Patrick Ness

Rec Read

The Last Death Poet