Caroline E. Farrell's Blog, page 3

The Librarian’s Cellar Book Recommendations: Laura Cassidy’s Walk of Fame

Laura’s movie-obsessed father always told her that she was destined for fame. And Laura will do whatever is necessary to see his, and her own, dream realised.

I loved this book by Alan McMonagle. A journey of grief, desperation and hope. It is funny, poignant and packed with familial tension, drama and yearning. You’ll follow Laura’s walk of fame through the streets of Galway long after you’ve turned the last page.

My thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan / Picador for the opportunity to...

Hello Ma, how’s things?

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Are you there now?

In your place of dreams

Where the others are

and spoil you still

In your place of smiles

Of fancy fit

and flare and

snake charm gold

Of giggles and

girlish things

Is your Ma there too?

Minding

Berating

Chasing you with time when

He left you home late

31st January 2020: 4th Anniversary. Rest in Peace, Detta.

The Librarian’s Cellar Book Recommendations: The Jewel by Neil Hegarty

The Jewel is a painting that hangs in a Dublin gallery. A vibrant work of art with a fascinating story, unfolding through a complex narrative that begins with a rather morbid and haunting decision by its creator – a long deceased female artist.

The novel weaves in and out of the lives of three very different, but equally troubled characters. A lonely curator, a disillusioned artist turned forger and thief, and an expert in art theft tasked with recovering the painting. A common thread to...

The Librarian’s Cellar Book Recommendations: My Dark Vanessa

Compelling, yet deeply unsettling! Author, Kate Elizabeth Russell has created a riveting page-turner that depicts an unflinching account of the grooming and manipulation of an underaged girl by an adult male in a role of trust and power. And of the consequences for both of them.The psychologies of both characters are fascinating. This one will linger.

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My thanks to Netgalley and Publishers (4th Estate) for the opportunity to read this book, which is due for publication in March 2020.

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The Librarian’s Cellar Book Recommendations 2020: Our Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent

Liz Nugent has done it again. Has written a page-turner filled with devious and broken characters that we hate to love – but love anyway! A compelling read with all the clever twists that we have come to expect from this very accomplished storyteller.

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Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read ‘Our Little Cruelties’. Publication date is March 20th, 2020.

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Caroline Farrell is a writer and filmmaker. Author of the novel, LADY BETH, she is...

The Librarian’s Cellar 2020 Book Recommendations: Six Wicked Reasons by Jo Spain

Starting the new year with a plan to keep a ‘Book Diary’ listing all I manage to read this year, though I will only, as ever, blog about the titles I have enjoyed.

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First up is ‘Six Wicked Reasons’,another great read from Jo Spain, queen of the ‘whodunnit’! You might think you know who killed Frazer, and some say he had it coming. All of his children are suspects, but the narrative twists and turns so craftily that you only think you know – until the rather satisfying end!

Thanks to Netgalley...

A fantastical weekend for FRAMED!

What an incredible weekend for FRAMED, picking up the ‘Best Short Horror Film’ award from Underground Cinema Film Festival! Very honoured to be in the company of some fantastic filmmakers, and thanks to Dave Byrne and the Underground team for their continuing support of independent filmmakers, in Ireland and abroad.

 

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AND THIS from Devil’s Night Gallery Film + Art Event!

 

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Devil’s Night Gallery is an independent film and art show which takes its name from its two inspirations. The first is “Night Gallery...

Chiari Days, and swearing like a Super Trooper!

Since my diagnosis in March of this year, I have been doing my best to learn about – and to learn to live with – Chiari Malformation. You can read my first post HERE

Most of the time, I look at the positives. Yes, I have this thing – but I could have some other thing that is worse – things can always be worse. However, there are days when my body feels so fatigued and too damn sore to do much of anything. I have begun to name these ‘Chiari Days’, which really translates to ‘Fuck It’ days.

On the one h...

Road-tripping Discoveries: Finding Flannery

This past September, while visiting Savannah, Georgia for a couple of days, I trudged my loved ones through the oppressive heat of that hauntingly beautiful city on a quest to find Flannery O’Connor’s house on East Charlton Street, Layfayette Square.

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Birthplace of a Genius.

The house is now a museum that honours her memory and work, and we were treated to a wonderful and very informative tour from a fabulous lady, Cody. You can find out more about the house HERE.

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Mary (Flannery) O’Connor was born on March 25,...

Michael Mullan Cancer Fund: Writing Competition Results

For the second year running, it was a honour to judge the Flash Fiction competition on behalf of the Michael Mullan Cancer Fund Writing Awards. I am always keen to congratulate all of the shortlisted writers. It is some achievement to get that far in any writing competition. Indeed, respect to anyone who finishes a piece of writing and submits it to a contest. It’s proof to yourself that you are a real writer!

Flash fiction is a rather particular art form – the telling of a complete story whi...