June Books of the Month
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Kids Book of the Month is The Dolls’ Hospital Diaries published by TheHistory Press.
The Dolls’ Hospital is a Dublin landmark recently saved from closure and now established in new premises at The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. Many people don’t realise the long history and truly fascinating stories that are associated with the store. This short and beautifully illustrated book is the perfect present for any doll enthusiast young or old. The History Press have put together a wonderful collection of stories and pictures giving an insight into the history of toys and the craft of doll and teddy bear making. The first Dolls’ Hospital was established by Tommy and Freda Noyek in 1938 at a premises in Mary Street and after it closed in 1977 it was seven years before a new Dolls’ Hospital was opened in 1984 by Chris and Melissa Nolan at South Great George’s Street, it moved to the new premises in March 2012 and now also incorporates a Museum of Childhood. Some of the stories is this book will break your heart; tales of teddy bears destroyed by parents who wanted to replace a worn out old favourite or who felt that it was time for their child to grow up. Some of the stories will surprise you; Gertie Kiersey born in 1914 was asleep in her cot during the 1916 rising when a stray bullet entered the window and hit her mother’s cherished French doll which fell off the shelf the doll was not damaged and Gertie wasn’t hurt, now aged 99 she remains a customer of The Dolls’ Hospital and still has her doll. The Dolls’ Hospital and Museum is well worth a visit and this book provides the perfect guide. Perfect for Doll and Teddy Bear fans aged 9 to 90.
Thanks so much to the History Press for sending me a copy of this book for reviewAdult Book of the Month is The Herbalist by Niamh Boyce
Niamh won the Hennessy XO New Writer Award 2012 and her debut novel is an engrossing tale of four women whose lives are transformed by a travelling Indian herbalist. A full review to follow shortly
I just started reading ‘The Husband’s Secret’ and I cannot put it down – its about a woman who finds a sealed letter in the attic and it says ‘For my wife; only to be opened in the event of my death’ and is written by her husband.
So she has to decide whetheror not to open it – because he is not dead, he is off on a business trip!!
I am so gripped – its really interesting. By Liane Moriarty.
if it was me, I’d probably open it – I have no willpower on things like that!! Can’t wait to see what happens…
The Herbalist by Niamh Boyce
Niamh Boyce writes poetry and short stories, she won the Hennessey XO New Writers Award 2012 and has been shortlisted in the Francis McManus and Molly Keane awards among others. The Herbalist is her debut novel. The novel tells the story of four women in Ireland in the 1930s; Emily, Sarah, Carmel and Aggie whose lives are changed by the arrival in their small midlands town of an exotic herbalist. The women are all spellbound and excited to try out the herbalist’s lotions and potions.
Carmel is recovering from the loss of her baby and hopes that the herbalist’s tonics will give her back her lust for life and help her have another baby. Sarah is a clever young woman forced to become a shop assistant and desperate to escape the town before her secret is discovered. Aggie is the town prostitute, living alone on the edge of town drinking herself to death and making predictions for women’s futures. Emily is a young girl who falls for the charms of the exotic stranger only to discover that he has a darker side.
This is a wonderfully written exploration of women’s lives in a time of narrow choices. Richly peopled with believable characters and beautifully constructed. The interweaving stories sit perfectly together and the pace never flags. While rural mid century Ireland is not new territory for writers Niamh Boyce approaches it with a fresh eye and her interest in women’s lives and women’s history shines through.
The Herbalist is published by Penguin Ireland and is available now in Trade Paperback.
Thank you to Cliona Lewis at Penguin Ireland for sending me an early reading copy.i went into eason’s drogheda week before last to buy the Husbands Secret for my holidays but they told me it wasn’t out yet – they could order it for me but would be at least 10-15days……….might pop into ashbourne today and see if they have it
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