Irish YA Summer Reads
In the lead up to the summer, my number one concern is summer exams. LOL. Of course not. All I think of when summer is around the corner is the following three words: uninterrupted reading time.
But sometimes seeing those long months stretching out ahead of you there is a pressure to find the perfect summer reading list. Nope, just me? That’s okay. Regardless of your reading plans (or non-reading plans) for summer 2021, hopefully some of the following Irish gems will spark your interest!
1. The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth
Having just finished the dreaded Leaving Cert, summer isn’t getting off to a great start for Saoirse: her mother is ill, her father is planning to remarry, and Saoirse is still struggling to get over her ex. But then Saoirse meets Ruby, and she hopes that she can forget herself in a short-term summer romance. But, as you may be asking yourself right this very minute, how long can a falling-in-love-montage last? Smyth’s novel is exactly what you need to get your summer rolling. Witty, quirky and fantastically fun, yet still grappling with some deeper messages, this book is a must-read!
2. Flying Tips for Flightless Birds by Kelly McCaughrain
What can I say? Brimming with humour, bubbling with individuality, this is a light-hearted yet astonishingly gripping read about love, life, finding yourself and…. Circuses! I would highly recommend this novel any time of the year, but why not kickstart your summer with some fun! Let twins Finch and Birdie take you to their trapeze and swing with them through the ups and downs of school and showbiz.
3. Tuesdays Are Just as Bad by Cethan Leahy
Oozing with humour, friendship, and suffering, Tuesdays Are Just As Bad tells the story of a boy named Adam, who, following a failed suicide attempt, now has to live with an annoying ghost who only he can see and hear. Although dealing with the heavy theme of depression, Leahy’s use of wit makes it a truly light-hearted read. I love how the story is told from the ghost’s point of view, creating a fun and inventive atmosphere, as well as giving us a fresh perspective. Would highly recommend this novel! Even just for the title alone! A truly masterful tale.
4. The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald (not me….I wish)
I know the power that is held deep within the pages of a book, the power to change hearts, change minds, change fundamentals. And this book also has the power to give a reader hope and comfort. This Apple Tart of Hope is like a blanket, it wraps around you and warms you up when the world around you has gone cold. It’s a deeply moving read but also so light and optimistic it makes your heart hurt, in a good way! It is sweet like an apple tart but has this strong, moving message hidden within the crust. Following the story of Meg, the best friend of missing-presumed-dead Oscar Dunleavey, you feel truly a part of this wonderful tale!
5. Savage Her Reply by Deirdre Sullivan
I’m always a fan of retold stories, but I’ve never loved one as much as I love Savage Her Reply. This book is more than just a retelling of the Children of Lir; it’s a work of art. Filled with depth and despair and wishes and dreams, here is the true story of Aífe we all needed to hear. Folklore can so often simmer with misogyny, but no longer! Challenging our knowledge of this well-known fairy tale, Sullivan shows her skill, vision and beautiful compassion. Please add this novel to your reading list right now!
A few more stunning summer reads for you…….. A Strange Kind of Brave by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, On Midnight Beach by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick, Toffee by Sarah Crossan. Enjoy! 😊