It’s the beginning of March; a time for signs of spring, shamrocks, and St. Patrick’s Day when we all feel a little Irish.

Our guest today, Niamh Lutes, is a local music teacher, vocalist, and avid reader who grew up near Kilkenny, Ireland. She gives us a glimpse of a childhood in Ireland and a whole new world of Irish authors to add to our TBR.

Niamh talks to us about some of the Irish folktales she learned in school including the one for which she is named, why she hates the word chick lit, and what you absolutely shouldn’t ask for on St. Patrick’s Day if you are lucky enough to spend it in Ireland.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

1- The Faraway Tree series / Famous Five series / Malory Towers series by Enid Blyton

2- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

3- New Patches for Old by Christobel Mattingley

4- Peig: The Autobiography of Peig Sayers

5- Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes

6- P.S. I Love You / Roar by Cecelia Ahern

7- The Woman at 72 Derry Lane by Carmel Harrington

8- Crime fiction by Patricia Gibney

9- Angela and the Baby Jesus / Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

10- The Commitments / The Snapper /The Van by Roddy Doyle

11- Ulysses by James Joyce

12- In the Woods by Tana French

13- How Many Miles to Babylon by Jennifer Johnston

14- Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

15- Star of the Sea / Irish Man At Home and Abroad by Joseph O'Connor

16- Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen

17- Under the Hawthorn Tree by Marita Conlon-McKenna

18- My Southern Journey: True Stories from the Heart of the South by Rick Bragg

19- March by Geraldine Brooks

You can find us on FB, instagram (@perksofbeingabookloverpod) and on our blog site at www.perksofbeingabooklover.com

Perks airs on Forward Radio 106.5 FM and forwardradio.org every Wednesday at 6 pm, Thursdays at 6 am and 12 pm. We have purchased the rights to the theme music used.