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Alisha I’ve always loved books and reading in all the different ways I’ve come across it! I remember being read to before bed when I was little and going to the library on a Friday after school to choose another big pile of books to take home with me. I was the person everyone knew as the bookworm and would always have a book on me, even at family parties (still am!). My little list consists of books I loved growing up that I still think of and remember fondly and books I’ve really enjoyed over the past few years....

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon I was recommended this book by my sister, and it did not disappoint. A historical novel, set in ancient Sicily in the aftermath of war, but written in Hiberno-English sounded very peculiar and I began reading with skepticism, but this is a fantastic book. I have certainly never read such a funny tragedy. Captured Athenians are left in a squalid makeshift prisoner of war camp in a quarry, and despite being near to death and in the direst of circumstances they are still able to recall lines of Greek tragedy. And so an idea is...

Spent by Alison Bechdel Spent: A Comical Novel is my second LGBT book in honour of Pride Month. Alison Bechdel, the creator, is perhaps best known for her graphic memoir Fun Home, which was adapted into a much-lauded Broadway musical. Her newest graphic memoir  is a satirical self-skewering of Bechdel herself, who contemplates her life as a writer amidst the chaos of climate change and political upheaval, drawing on characters from her cult-favourite Dykes to Watch Out For. It's funny and sweet and definitely one to add to your to-read list if you're already familiar with Bechdel's previous works. If...

Ah, Ireland. The ‘Land of Saints and Scholars’ and birthplace of Wilde, Joyce, and Beckett. For a small country with less than six million inhabitants, Ireland has produced some of the world’s most well-respected authors, playwrights and thinkers. The Willoughby Book Club team were very lucky to visit Dublin recently and spent a wonderful day exploring some of the capital city’s rich literary history, visiting the stunning Trinity College Library, home of the Book of Kells, and the National Gallery. Alongside all this, we made sure to successfully eat and drink our way around the place! We started out bright...