Emilie Pine is an Irish author and professor at UCD. Her collection of short stories are heartbreakingly poignant at times as it covers topics of miscarriage, alcoholism, the relationship to her own body and sexual violence which are all extremely heavy topics. Although readers may find these topics too big or too upsetting to tackle in a collection of short stories, Emilie's language is uplifting and comes from a place of true acceptance and understanding. I learned so much in just the few hundred pages of her book than that of any college course. Her words are utterly-brilliant and

Deadendia is a graphic novel found in our Young Adult section. Finding your feet at a new job is hard enough without a portal to hell opening right under them, but that's exactly what faces our hero Barney as he navigates Dead End Theme Park. He'll contend with demons, mysterious glimpses of the future and drama closer to home, supported by his best friend Norma, a talking pug and maybe that cute guy from the water ride. With LGBTQIA+ themes, Deadendia is a colourful and exciting read.

Head Kid is the perfect story for 8-12 year olds, and as our February book it was very popular with our Junior Book Club in Stillorgan Library. It's an exciting tale about the naughtiest boy in school, Ryan Ward, swapping bodies with the Head Teacher, Mr. Carter. The hilarious illustrations and funny scenarios which are described in detail will encourage reluctant readers to see out this adventure. As the new Head Teacher, Ryan re-writes the school rules and pandemonium ensues. In contrast, the strict Mr. Carter gains an important understanding of what it's like to be a student at Bracket Wood

The self loathing anti-hero Bernie Gunther -(WW1 & WW2 veteran, ex cop, ex private eye, ex Gestapo detective..) is now in his 50s working at a degrading menial job in post war West Germany under an assumed name when a chance encounter with old comrades gets him a well paid job with a shady insurance company. After a vessel sinks under mysterious circumstances in Greece, Gunther is excited to dust off his detective skills once more but again he is drawn back into the dark depths of the crimes of the Third Reich. Armed only with his Walther pistol, cynical sense of humor and innate survival

This is a wonderful picture book for 3-6 year olds. Follow Bear and his friend Mouse on their adventure to their local library. Bear is reluctant to visit the library, feeling overwhelmed by all the books and the new environment. With Mouse's encouragement, Bear realises what a special place the library can be. Bear discovers story time at the library, and he's even invited to join in. He feels welcomed by the Librarian, and in the end he borrows seven new books to read at home. Kady MacDonald Denton's illustrations are beautiful and add to this fun adventure story.

I was vaguely aware of A man called Ove doing the book club rounds but wasn’t much attracted by the subject matter. So when I pulled this off the worn-outs trolley here in Library HQ, in desperation for something to read with my morning coffee, I wasn’t expecting a lot. But I was slightly intrigued by the description of Britt-Marie on the back as a “pedantic, passive-aggressive busybody” who somehow ends up as coach to the local children’s football team in the miserable backwater of Borg – sounds a bit like Eleanor Oliphant (a book I really loved), I thought - let’s give it a go.

This Japanese crime novel was originally published in 1962, first translated in 1985 and now reprinted in Pushkin Press’ Vertigo imprint. The focus of the story is on a building known as the K apartments for Ladies in Tokyo. It was originally intended as a respectable boarding house for young single working women (shades of Muriel Spark) but time has marched on and many of its inhabitants are now retired and lonely women. Their lives are marked out by routine and ritual. And several of them harbour secrets that are now in danger of being brought out into the open due to the mysterious loss of

Can you crack the case?

The author of Aliens Love Underpants brings us a baked goods whobunit. Sweet treats are disappearing all over town and it’s up to Ducktective Quack to solve the crime spree. Join her as she searches for clues, investigates the crime scene and interrogates suspects. Scour the bright illustrations on each page to see if you can find the clues that will lead to the culprit.

In 1962 France is in turmoil as French President Charles De Gaulle only barely survives yet another assassination attempt by right wing extremists enraged at his withdrawal from French Algeria. The increasingly desperate OAS terrorist organisation staring defeat in the face by the ruthless French security services hires a nameless Englishman to eliminate their sworn enemy for once and for all.

A nail biting game of cat and mouse is set in motion between the ice cool killer and France's best detective, Inspector Lebel who must stop him in time to prevent..The Day of the Jackal!

This is one of those rare books that stays with you long after reading. "On the road" is Kerouac's semi-autobiographical tale of beatniks, poets and flaneurs told through the eyes of Sal Paradise, a man lost of all direction in life experiencing a new Post-War 50's America through drugs, travel and music. The novel takes the reader to a time of reinvention, experimentation and defining what it means to be different in a conformist society, and explores the highs and lows of being at the vanguard of a new counterculture. This book stands as one of Kerouac's defining works and is just as