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Executive Librarian

15/11/2024

Welcome to our new staff spotlight section which highlights the many services delivered by Cork City Council on a daily basis. 

In this edition of our staff spotlight, you'll get some recommendations of Christmassy books and the best reads of 2024 for adults and kids - from Nora, Ben and their colleagues across Cork City Library Services.

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These books can be borrowed at the city’s libraries or bought at any of the city’s many bookshops, which are always worth a browse at Christmas.

“ Christmas is a great time to discover new books and get reacquainted with old favourites. The Cork City Library Service is always delighted to suggest new discoveries and remind you of annual favourites for the holiday season. But remember these are only suggestions; visit your local library and browse the array of books available. Discover the magic of books!” says Nora.

Children’s Picture Book Range:

  • The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allen Ahlberg. It is Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman delivers gifts to various Fairy Tale characters.
  • Santa Needs a New Bum! by Dawn McMillan. Santa arrives early at one little boy’s house but he has a problem.
  • Adam Saves Christmas by Benji Bennett. When Adam delivers his letter to Santa Claus in the North Pole, he discovers that there is not enough magic to help Rudolph fly. Can Adam save Christmas?
  • Dear Father Christmas by Alan Durrant. Holly sees a man who looks likes Father Christmas and decides to write him a letter and so begins a penpal friendship.
  • The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson. This gorgeous picture book tells the story of a little pine tree with a special destiny – to be the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
  • Hetty Feather’s Christmas will get girls 7 + in the Christmassy mood.

Suggestions for Adults:

  • Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie. The Lee family reunion becomes rife with suspicion following the murder of the tyrannical Simeon Lee.
  • The Mistletoe Murder and other stories by P. D. James is a collection of stories with a Christmas theme. Perfect for dipping into over the Christmas holidays.
  • Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan is a story of hope and resilience. Owners of an independent bookshop use the power of books to lift people’s spirits and, in turn, lift their own.
  • The Irish Countrywomen’s Association Book of Christmas helps you to rediscover the tradition and celebration of Christmas and the feeling of ‘bringing home Christmas’.
  • Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien is a collection of Father Christmas letters written by Tolkien to his children over a number of years. They depict life in the North Pole and are accompanied by delightful drawings. A great collection for children and adults.
  • The Snowman by Raymond Briggs is an annual Christmas favourite.

New Releases for Adults:

2024 has been a great year for the publication of new books, particularly for Irish Writers.

  • Edel Coffey published ‘In Her Place’. It is a story that examines ‘the other woman’ scenario from different perspectives. It is thought provoking and engaging.
  • Andrea Mara released the much anticipated ‘Someone in the Attic’. What would you do if you watched a video of someone climbing out an attic window – and realise it was filmed in your house!
  • Intermezzo is the latest publication from Sally Rooney. It is a novel that explores grief experienced by two brothers following the death of their father, and how it is handled in different ways.
  • Seaborne by Nuala O’Connor is a novel that explores the life of Anne Bonny. A young woman ‘out of step with her time and place but never her heart’.
  • The Lighthouse Secret by Carmel Harrington is a tale of secrets kept by the wives of the lighthouse keepers of Ballycotton Lighthouse that spans the decades. But secrets don’t stay buried.
  • Safe Enough is a collection of very short stories by Lee Child. Ideal for someone short on time.
  • The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is an intriguing book about a coffee shop that only appears during a full moon. The proprietor interprets his guests needs and advises accordingly.

New Children’s Fiction:

  • David Baddiel wrote ‘Small Fry’. Benny Burns spends his weekends helping his dad in their burger van. He finds his grandfather’s recipe book and the resulting creations attract unwanted attention.
  • The Houdini Inheritance by Emily Carroll is the story of Glory and her friend, Dennis. After seeing the Great Harry Houdini, they are drawn into adventure and intrigue.
  • Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer looks at Banshees, the Irish supernatural harbingers of Doom. One young banshee, a bansheenie, called Beanie decides to change the role they play and discover a new way of being in the world.
  • Away With Words by Sophie Cameron tells the story of 11year old Gala, who moves from Spain to Scotland and the difficulties with fitting in.