Aisling is twenty-eight and she's a complete ... Aisling. She lives at home in Ballygobbard (or Ballygobackwards, as some gas tickets call it) with her parents and commutes to her good job at PensionsPlus in Dublin. Aisling goes out every Saturday night with her best friend Majella, who is a bit of a hames (she's lost two phones already this year – Aisling has never lost a phone). They love hoofing into the Coors Light if they're 'Out', or the vodka and Diet Cokes if they re 'Out Out'. Ais spends two nights a week at her boyfriend John's. He's from down home and was kiss number seventeen at her twenty-first. But Aisling wants more. She wants the ring on her finger. She wants the hen with the willy straws. She wants out of her parents' house, although she'd miss Mammy turning on the electric blanket like clockwork and Daddy taking her car 'out for a spin' and bringing it back full of petrol. When a week in Tenerife with John doesn't end with the expected engagement, Aisling calls a halt to things and soon she has surprised herself and everyone else by agreeing to move into a three-bed in Portobello with stylish Sadhbh from HR and her friend, the mysterious Elaine. Newly single and relocated to the big city, life is about to change utterly for this wonderful, strong, surprising and funny girl, who just happens to be a complete Aisling.
Aisling is off to New York! The fourth (and penultimate) book in the No. 1 bestselling series. 'Aisling is one of the finest comic creations of all time.' Marian Keyes 'That rare and precious thing: a fictional character you care about like a friend' Lisa McGee, creator of Derry Girls 'A fictional creature as beloved by Irish women as anyone who comes from the pens of Marian Keyes or Winner of the An Post Irish Book Award for popular fiction 2021 Aisling is 31, and she's still a complete Aisling. With BallyGoBrunch flying and the door firmly closed on her relationship with John, Aisling accepts an unexpected job offer and boards a business-class flight to New York in her best wrap dress and heels. As she finds her feet in the Big Apple, she throws herself into the dating game, grapples with 'always-on' work culture, forges and fights for new friendships and brings her good wedges to a party in the Hamptons, much to Sadhbh's dismay. But catching up with family and friends on WhatsApp and email is not the same as sitting in Maguire's putting the world to rights over mini bottles of Pinot Greej and a shared bag of Taytos. And yet New York has so much to offer, not least in the ridey fireman department. When a crisis in Ballygobard makes her doubt her place in Manhattan, can Aisling retain her New York state of mind, or will the lure of home be too much to resist? 'Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen offer their many readers a safe, convivial, unceremonious berth in challenging times.' The Irish Times 'Aisling is the best of us; the sort of person the world needs.' The Irish Times 'A fictional creature now as beloved by Irish women as anyone who comes from the pens of Marian Keyes or Maeve Binchy, two other writers whose work could also be said to sum up the essential experience of being an Irish woman.' Lia Hynes, Sunday Independent 'Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen can look into their hearts and know exactly what the women of Ireland want.' Irish Independent 'The literary equivalent of lightning in a bottle. Aisling is a tremendous creation: fun, warm, charming, kind ... Breen and McLysaght have a canny knack of hitting on emotional truths. A brilliantly breezy, companionable read.' Tanya Sweeney, Irish Independent 'A charming creation. Aisling seems on course to match the longevity of her masculine polar opposite Ross O'Carroll Kelly.' Irish Mail on Sunday 'Oh my God, such a warm glow this book gave me. In a sometimes sad world it lifted my heart.' Marian Keyes 'Soul soothing - l laughed on every page.' Sophie White, Sunday Independent 'A tribute to the warmth, charm and resilience of modern Irish women, Aisling is well on her way to becoming one of the most beloved characters in Irish literature.' Irish Independent 'Aisling's voice leaps off the page. It's this depth of character and eye for detail that make comparisons with the Bridget Jones series spot on.' The Independent
Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she's a Guardian. That's a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don't know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who's scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.
Hurt people hurt people. Say there was a novel in which Holden Caulfield was an alcoholic and Lolita was a photographer’s assistant and, somehow, they met in Bright Lights, Big City. He’s blinded by love. She by ambition. Diary of an Oxygen Thief is an honest, hilarious, and heartrending novel, but above all, a very realistic account of what we do to each other and what we allow to have done to us.
Aisling Grey is juggling being a demon lord, a Guardian, and a wyvern's mate, even though she's keeping her distance from said wyvern, Drake, these days. But her presence is still required at a meeting of the green dragons. Since several attempts have been made on her life, Drake is sure to get protective of her. Which might not be a bad thing when war breaks out and all hell breaks loose-literally.
Being organised is the cornerstone of every Aisling's personality. But it takes lots of work behind the scenes to keep track of whose turn it is to host book club or to remember when you're entitled to a reduced-price scale and polish (isn't that what you're paying PRSI for?). A good diary, like this one, is your secret weapon. It provides a place to keep your special dates, appointments, goals, lists and plans. There are two pages per week, the all-important space for your Important Bits as well as lots of extra pages for notes and ideas. Each month is introduced with an iconic and sometimes inspirational quote from a selection of Aisling's favourite people. This year, there are also twelve exclusive extracts from Aisling's own diary. Think of it as a little incentive to keep you going until the end of the year. Because we all need a little help sometimes, don't we?
What's a girl to do when she has not one but two weddings on the same weekend? Not that either of them are Aisling's - she's only just got together with the dishy James Matthews and there's plenty of time before she has to even think about her own wedding bells. But Aisling's fledgling brunch business is set to cater for one of the weddings, and she's promised to be Maid of Honour at the other, her best friend's big day. And she's not just being pulled between work and friendship - she's also contending with the revelation that James is practically aristocracy, and her old flame John arriving back on the scene . . .
From saints' days to Halloween and the many other celebrations on the Irish calendar, this collection of poetry from Rita Ann Higgins sets a tone for all seasons. Featuring bank holiday poems as heard on RTÉ Radio, such as 'Lúnasa' and 'Coming Out of Winter', and others like 'My Mother Loved Me in Red', 'The Púca', 'Visiting My Father at Christmas' and 'All Souls' Day', The Long Weekend leaves no question that Rita Ann Higgins is the people's poet. 'The people's poet. She's magic. She's a one-off.' Brendan O'Connor 'A haunting, beautiful collection of poems that commands attention and bears witness to life's struggle. This collection confirms Higgins as one of our greatest poets.' Elaine Feeney 'A work of immense thoughtfulness.'Susannah Dickey
50 party recipes to suit every occasion, from award-winning food writer Kate Young. It's time to spend time with those we love most. It's time to party. In The Little Library Parties, Kate Young draws on all of her experience catering for weddings and events, and her love of cooking for friends, to provide 50 sensational new recipes for entertaining. From dinner party feasts and canapes for a crowd, to barbeques, tea parties, house parties and that all important morning-after tonic, Kate provides delicious and joyful recipes – as always, inspired by her favourite literature – to ensure your get-together tastes delicious. With beautiful photographs throughout and in a gorgeous, giftable format, this is the perfect book to help you kick off the party season. 'Transportative... [The] recipes are enhancing and useful' Caroline Eden, TLS on The Little Library Christmas
Scobie Donoghue was once the king of the weekend. His twenties were spent working hard and playing harder. A lovable rogue, the lads wanted to be him and the girls wanted to be with him. But now, about to turn forty and returning to his small midlands hometown, Scobie is back in his childhood bed, single, burnt out and depressed. The life he thought he had left behind has moved on – but has he? Going Back, Eugene O'Brien's heartwarming debut novel, continues the story of hit TV series Pure Mule, capturing the whole world in one Irish town: the highs and the lows, from addiction and mental-health issues to love and redemption. It will take some time and a lot of soul-searching, but maybe Scobie Donoghue is finally ready to grow up. 'I was delighted to get reacquainted with Scobie Donoghue. This is a timely book, engaging and entertaining. It lifts the lid on and exposes the underbelly of the disenfranchised in a community that has been pulled apart since the heady days of the Celtic Tiger.' Liz Nugent
