10 Best Irish Authors and their Fiction

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, check out this mixture of Irish authors, old and new, who have brought great literature into the world.  And may you have the luck to find their books and enjoy them!

 

Bram Stoker (1847-1912)—Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula became one of the most well-known horror classics of all time, and the pre-eminent vampire novel (sorry, Twilight Saga).  Its original title was The Un-Dead.

Other notable books: The Lady of the Shroud, The Lair of the White Worm

“I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things, which I dare not confess to my own soul. God keep me, if only for the sake of those dear to me."

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)—Wilde’s plays continue to be popular, and his novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, remains a staple of school reading lists.  He was controversial in his time, and spent two years in prison for his unconventional lifestyle.

Other notable books: The Ballad of Reading Gaol, The Importance of Being Earnest

“When first I was put into prison some people advised me to try and forget who I was. It was ruinous advice. It is only by realising what I am that I have found comfort of any kind.”

    

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)—Shaw wrote over sixty plays.  He’s the only author to have won both a Nobel Prize for Literature and an Oscar (for the screenplay for Pygmalion).  He was an outspoken socialist, a member of the eugenics movement, and a vegetarian.

Other notable books: The Devil’s Disciple, Major Barbara, Saint Joan

 “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”

    

James Joyce (1882-1941)—Joyce took his time in creating his final two masterworks.  Ulysses took seven years to complete, and Finnegan’s Wake was seventeen years in the making.  Bloomsday, a walk through the streets of Dublin based on Ulysses character Leopold Bloom’s one-day perambulations, occurs annually on June 16.

Other notable books: Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

“A man’s errors are his portals of discovery.”

 

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)—The seven books of the Chronicles of Narnia are loved by readers of all ages.  Lewis and his buddy J.R.R. Tolkien, along with a few other writer pals, were known as “The Inklings” and met regularly at the Eagle and Child and other pubs to drink, smoke, and critique each other’s work.

Other notable books: Perelandra, The Screwtape Letters

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”

Edna O’Brien (1936-  )—Although O’Brien left Ireland shortly after the publication of her first novel, The Country Girls, caused an uproar, she is still considered to be a very Irish writer.  Her specialty is the short story.

Other notable books: In the Forest, The Light of the Evening

 “When anyone asks me about the Irish character, I say look at the trees. Maimed, stark and misshapen, but ferociously tenacious.”

William Trevor (1940-  )—Trevor has won the Whitbread Prize three times and the O. Henry Award four times, and is a five-time Booker Prize nominee.  He’s written several novels, but is best known for his short stories. 

Notable books: Fools of Fortune, Felicia’s Journey, After Rain

“The same applies to any artist; we are the tools and instruments of our talent. We are outsiders; we have no place in society because society is what we’re watching, and dealing with.”

Maeve Binchy (1940-2012)—Popular and prolific novelist Binchy had just completed her final novel, A Week in Winter, when she died last year.  The book was just published in the U.S.  Her 1998 novel Tara Road was an Oprah book club pick.

Other notable books: The Copper Beech, Circle of Friends

“An intelligent man like you would know that to live in an unrealistic hope is a very foolish way to spend a life."

 Emma Donoghue (1969-  )—Donoghue had written six novels, in addition to plays and short story collections, when her 2010 novel Room became a critically-acclaimed international bestseller.  She was born in Dublin, but now lives in Canada. 

Other notable books: Slammerkin, Astray

“People don't always want to be with people. It gets tiring.”

Tana French (1973-  )—French, an actress as well as a writer, is a U.S. citizen but has lived in Ireland since 1990.  Her first novel, In the Woods (2007), won the Edgar Award for Best Mystery.

Other notable books: The Likeness, Broken Harbour

“When you're too close to people, when you spend too much time with them and love them too dearly, sometimes you can't see them.”

Who are your favorite Irish Authors? -- Steve

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Steve is Staffing & Development Manager (aka the "Buy Guy") at Half Price Books Corporate.

Spring Savings: 20 - 50% off in store with coupons

 

Attention: HPB Mailing List subscribers! Check your mailboxes for fantastic coupons good at HPB retail locations Monday, March 11 through Sunday, March 17.

Half Price Books is your community bookstore, where you can find almost everything for half the publisher's price or less, every day. But during the HPB 7 Days of Savings this Spring, you can save even more! Coupon required to receive the discount.

If you're not on the HPB Mailing List, it's not too late to get in on these 7 Days of Savings! Subscribe to the HPB Email List today online and get your own store coupon to use at any Half Price Books retail location. Not valid online or at HPB Outlet. See coupon for offer and redemption details.

If you have any trouble or if you're a subscriber who hasn't received your coupons, please contact us or email customercare@hpb.com for assistance.

Happy coupon-ing! -- HPB Blog Team

Local Store Events Round-Up: March

March Store Events

Looking for something to do in March? Check out some fun happenings at your neighborhood Half Price Books this month!

All Stores

15th Annual Half Pint Library Book Drive

Donate a new or gently used children's book at any Half Price Books location during our Half Pint Library book drive, now through March 31. The books you and your family have already enjoyed will go directly to local nonprofit organizations, libraries and teacher's classrooms in your community. Half Price Books will match each book you donate during the drive. For more information, visit www.hpb.com/hpl.

Dog Days at Half Price Books

Join us at our South Ohio locations to take a bite out of reading.  Load up the kids and bring them to Half Price Books where they can read a book to a loveable pup. 

• Kenwood Galleria – read to Rudi, the Shih Tzu on March 2 and 16 from 11 a.m. – noon
• Mason – read to Bella, the Pug on March 3 from 3 – 4 p.m.
• Fairfield Township – read to Potter, the Bearded Collie on March 10 and 24 from 1 – 2 p.m.

San Antonio, TX

Book Signing with Jesse James Leija

Meet former two-time World Boxing Champion, Jesse James Leija, "The Texas Tornado." Leija, who partnered with Hollywood screenwriter Dustin Warburton, will sell and sign his debut children's book, Jesse and the Boogeyman. Join us at our Castle Hills HPB on Saturday, March 23, from 1 to 3 pm.

McKinney, TX

Book Signing with Steve LaNore

KXII Meteorologist Steve LaNore will sell and sign his book, Weather Wits & Science Snickers, a kid’s book of meteorological and astronomical corny jokes and cool facts. Join us at your McKinney HPB on Saturday, March 16 from noon to 3 pm. 

Fremont, CA

Vote For HPB in the Best of Fremont!

Now's your chance to vote for Half Price Books as the "Best Bookstore" in the 2013 Best of Fremont Awards. Voting ends Monday, March 18, at noon so click here to vote now!

Humble, TX

Journaling at Half Price Books

Have you always wanted to keep a journal but couldn't seem to get started? Your HPB in Humble will share the art of journaling. Andi Klemm will show you how to create your own pages, write your story and use your words as art. Join the conversation on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. See you March 14!

Dallas – Northwest Highway

Meet and Greet Boxer Rescue 

Looking for a loyal friend, a lovable buddy, a canine companion? On the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., NorCal Boxer Rescue will bring Boxer dogs available for adoption to our Flagship HPB store. Come see these lovable dogs looking for a good, forever home.  See you March 9!

Book Signing with Bob May

Local author Bob May will sell and sign his book, The Best Season - The First Ninety Games: Honoring Black Ball Through Baseball Board Game Simulation, a book that highlights the great players from early baseball's Negro leagues. Join us at your Flagship HPB on Saturday, March 9 from noon to 5 pm. 

Animal Adoptions

Cute kitties and canine companions will visit our Flagship HPB on the third Saturday of each month from noon to 4 p.m. The League of Animal Protectors, a nonprofit animal rescue and adoption organization, will have a select group of adoptable pets looking for good, forever homes.  See you March 16!

Humane Society Book Signing

Local Authors Amber Jerome-Norrgard and Scott Morgan will read, sell, and sign the book, Four Paws: A Poetry Anthology by the Quillective Project. All proceeds go to The Humane Society of Dallas County's no-kill shelter, Dog & Kitty City. Join us at your Flagship HPB on Saturday, March 30, from 2 - 4 pm.

Book Signing with The Minimalists

Meet authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus a.k.a. The Minimalists at your Flagship HPB on Monday, March 18 from 7 to 9 pm. The authors will discuss their simple-living message as well as their book, Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life. Q & A will follow along with book signing.

Monroeville, PA

Welcome Seeds of Spring

Your Monroeville HPB is welcoming the first day of Spring on Wednesday, March 20. We will give out packets of wildflower seeds free with every purchase. Offer good while supplies last. 

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant" 

Pittsburgh – The Pointe at North Fayette

Easter Egg Hunt

On the hunt for fun? Your North Fayette HPB is having an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find a plastic egg and enter a drawing for a goodie-filled Easter basket. See store for details.  

Springhurst/Freys Hill – Louisville, KY

Monthly Coloring Contest
Grab a crayon and unleash your inner artist! Stop inside the Springhurst Half Price Books and get involved with our Monthly Coloring Contest. Each month, a new coloring sheet is available for our pint-sized customers. Throughout the month, children ages 13 and under may submit their coloring sheet for entry. At the end of the month, 4 winners are selected (one from each age group). Winners receive a Half Price Books Gift Card and the honor of having their artwork displayed in store.

Storytime – Multiple Locations

Many of our stores have weekly or monthly storytimes.  Check out this month’s listings:

Huebner Road, San Antonio – Join us the first Sunday of every month for Storytime Sunday at 2 p.m.  The staff will read one of their favorite books, geared toward booklovers ages 2-8.  See you March 3!

Northwest Highway – Dallas – Join us every Sunday from 1-2 p.m. for a story and special craft activity.  Recommended for kids ages 10 and under.

Lincoln Square – Arlington, TX – Stop by the Lincoln Square Half Price Books every Sunday at 2 p.m. for a fun tale.  Recommended for kids ranging from infants to 6 years of age. Refreshments will be provided.

Plano, TX – Our new Plano store will share a fun story with the kiddos each Sunday at 2 p.m. Here’s what we’ll read in March:

• ·         March 10 - Wild About Books
• ·         March 17 - Little Red Riding Hood
• ·         March 24 - Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

 Mesquite, TX – Pack up your kiddos and visit our store in Mesquite every Sunday for Storytime and Crafts. Sit down and enjoy a good tale and free activity with us from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Readers and arts-and-crafts lovers of all ages are welcome.

Rockwall, TX – Visit us in Rockwall each Sunday at 3 p.m. for a fun story.  Stick around and get crafty with us with a new activity for kids each week. Storytime recommended for kids ranging from pre-schoolers to 5th graders.

South Arlington, TX – Pack up your little readers and come to South Arlington HPB for a fun storytime. Sit down and enjoy a good tale with us at 3 p.m. every Sunday afternoon. Recommended for kids ranging from 2 to 8 years of age. 

Lynnwood, WA – Bring the kiddos to the Lynnwood HPB for storytime from 3 to 4 p.m. every Sunday.

Corpus Christi, TX – Load up your half-pint readers and visit us at Moore Plaza for Storytime Sundays. We’ll share a tale from 2 to 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month.  Recommended for kids ranging from pre-school to 4th grade.  See you March 10!

Mason, Ohio – Sit down for a good tale each Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon at our Mason Half Price Books.
 

Humble, TX – Bring the kids for a children’s storytime every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m.  Snacks will be provided.  Recommended for kids ages 1 to 6. 

Hurstbourne – Louisville, KY – Bring the kids the third Saturday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. for storytime. Join us for sing-alongs, coloring contests, story-telling and more.  See you March 16!

Springhurst/Freys Hill – Louisville, KY - Stop by the Springhurst store on the last Saturday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m., where we’ll have stories, games, activities and snacks.  See you March 30!

Sir Barton Place, Lexington, KY - Pack up your half-pint readers and come to your Sir Barton Place HPB for Storytime Saturday. Sit down and enjoy a good tale with us from 2 to 3pm on the last Saturday of each month. 

Special Sales – Multiple Locations

Bloomington, IN Outlet 

50% Off Bargain Sale!

2-DAYS ONLY! Your Half Price Books Outlet is offering a special deal on Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17. All merchandise from our assorted Bargain Tables, carts, and Bargain Room are 50% off. Offer good at Half Price Books Outlet in Bloomington, IN only.

Seattle 

Media Warehouse Sale

One day only! Join us for a fantastic media sale at our Washington Warehouse, on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everything will be $3 or less. Stock up on DVDs, CDs, software, comics, manga and more. You can find our Warehouse Sale just north of 85th on the west side of Greenwood Avenue in Seattle. Get there early for the best selection.

HPB at Sakura-Con 2013

Look for the HPB booth at Sakura-Con from Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31. HPB will sell anime, manga, video games, DVDs, collectibles and more at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. See you there!

Burleson, Texas

Tuesday Night Specials
Stop by our Burleson location each Tuesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. for discount specials. Great savings may include 20% off DVDs or 30% off fiction hardcovers. You won't know what's on sale until you visit. Tuesday Night Specials valid at this location only. Ask in store for details.

Northwest Highway – Dallas

Comic Book Wednesdays

Pow! Comics just got cheaper! Half Price Books on Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas will be reducing all regularly-priced comic books to the sale price of 50¢ each on Wednesdays only. Recurring each week on Wednesdays until further notice. Collectibles and bargain bundles excluded. 

$1 VHS Fridays
Feed that VCR! Shop our VHS collection every Friday and save even more on video tapes of all genres. All VHS in stock priced at $4.98 or less will be sold for just $1.00 on Fridays only, until further notice. Offer valid at Northwest Highway location only.

Greenwood, Indiana

Comic Book Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, stop by our Greenwood store to get 20% off all single-issue comics, including clearance and collectible issues. Offer good at this location only.

Clearwater Village – Indianapolis

Comics Sale Wednesdays
Comic fans and collectors, don't miss our weekly Comics Sale Wednesdays. Save 20% off comic books at our Clearwater Village HPB in Indianapolis, Indiana. Come back each week as we restock with new adventures in store! Sale excludes graphic novels and manga. Continues each Wednesday at this location until further notice. No superhero powers required.

Vinyl Fridays
Join us for a LP shopping spree! Get 20% off all vinyl on Fridays at our Clearwater Village HPB.  Come back each week for new discoveries and savings! No exclusions. All LPs discounted each Friday at this location until further notice.

Avon, Indiana

Retro Thursdays

Think it's still cool to be old school? Stop by the Half Price Books in Avon every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and get 20% off all vinyl, cassettes, comics, graphic novels and manga. Offer good at this location only.

Half Price Books Outlet – Bloomington, Indiana

Vinyl Thursdays

Your Bloomington Half Price Books Outlet is having Buy One LP, Get One Free each Thursday. Thumb through our vast, cool selection of LPs, all priced at 50¢ or less. See store for details. 

Northbrook/Greenbriar - Indianapolis

Retro Tuesdays

Listen up media aficionados! Join us each Tuesday and get 20% off all vinyl, cassettes, VHS, comics, manga, graphic novels and video games at our Northbrook/Greenbriar HPB in Indianapolis. Discount at this location only. No other discounts apply.

Music Fridays
Looking for some soothing grooves or pounding beats to start your weekend? Stop by the Greenwood HPB every Friday to get 20% off all CDs, LPs, cassettes and 8-track tapes. Offer good at this location only.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Comic Books Sale
Whamo! That's right! Stop by the Fort Wayne location every Thursday and save an additional 20% off all comic books in store. Sale at the Fort Wayne HPB location only. 

LP Day - Fridays
Join us each Friday for LP Day. All LPs will be 20% off, with some of your favorite songs being played on the turn-table.

South Arlington – Arlington, Texas

Retro Media Fridays

Get ready for a throwback! Join us at the Four Corners HPB in South Arlington every Friday night from 7-10 p.m. All retro media is 20% off – including LPs, cassette tapes, 8 tracks, VHS tapes and LaserDiscs.

Appleton, WI

Vinyl Fridays

Get 20% off all vinyl on Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m. at our Appleton HPB. Like what you hear? Records playing in the store are 50% off. Come back each week for new discoveries and savings! Discount at this location only.

Pittsburgh – Ross Park Mall Area

Vinyl Record Night

Listen up, audiophiles! It's back to 'old school' at our Ross Township HPB. On Friday, March 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. you'll find all $1 LPs for just 50¢! Wow, you can buy stacks o’ wax, a plethora of platters, gobs of grooves, loads of LPs, or as many as you please. And, don't forget to sign up for our mailing list and enter for a chance to win a $20 HPB Gift Card. See store for details.

Niles, IL

It's a Vinyl Party!

Listen up, audiophiles!  Your Niles HPB is having a Vinyl Party on Friday, March 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. All vinyl will be 20% off. Discount at this location only.

Lexington, KY

Vinyl Fridays

Move to the groove while you shop! Join us on the last Friday of each month. Listen to classic tunes on vinyl and get 20% off all vinyl LPs all day at our Sir Barton Place HPB in Lexington. Discount at this location only. See you March 29!

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As always, be sure to check your local store’s webpage to see if anything has been added throughout the month.

-Emily

Black History Month: Authors’ Birthdays

February is Black History Month and is also a month during which several notable African-Americans have birthdays.  Below are some of these heroes and some of their words—words from works worth remembering throughout the year. 

February 1:  Langston Hughes—Harlem Renaissance poet, short-story author, lyricist for the musical Street Scene
I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.
(from The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes)

February 4:  Rosa Parks—NAACP secretary, heroine of the Civil Rights Movement
“People have said over the years that the reason I did not give up my seat was because I was tired.  I did not think of being physically tired.  My feet were not hurting.  I was tired in a different way…I was tired of Jim Crow laws, of legally enforced racial segregation.”  (from Dear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue with Today’s Youth)

February 9:  Alice Walker—novelist, poet, essayist 
“I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ask. And that in wondering about the big things and asking about the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident. But you never know nothing more about the big things than you start out with. The more I wonder, the more I love.”  (from The Color Purple)

February 17:  Frederick Douglass—former slave turned Abolitionist, author and orator
”A man is worked upon by what he works on.  He may carve out his circumstances, but his circumstances carve him out as well.”  (from Life and Times of Fredrick Douglass)
 
February 18:  Toni Morrison—novelist, winner of the National Book Award, the Nobel Prize and the Pulitzer Prize
“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.”  (from Beloved)

February 20:  Sidney Poitier—pioneering award-winning actor, memoirist
“If the image one holds of one's self contains elements that don't square with reality, one is best advised to let go of them, however difficult that may be.”  (from his autobiography The Measure of a Man)

February 23:  W.E.B. Du Bois—civil rights leader, author, editor of the NAACP magazine Crisis
”I sit with Shakespeare and he winces not.  Across the color line I move arm-in-arm with Balzac and Dumas, while smiling men and welcoming women glide in gilded halls.  From out the caves of evening that swing between the strong-limbed earth and the tracery of the stars, I summon Aristotle and Aurelius and what soul I will, and they come all graciously with no scorn nor condescension.  So, wed with truth, I dwell above the veil.”  (from The Souls of Black Folk)  

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Steve is Staffing & Development Manager (aka the "Buy Guy") at Half Price Books Corporate.

Staff Picks: Top 10 Books by African-American Authors

Black History Month is set aside to remember and celebrate important African-American people and the impact that they have had on history.  However, no celebration would be complete without remembering those African-American authors who have impacted the world with their words that deftly address the perennial concerns of all humanity.  So, I turned to our 3,000 Bibliomaniacs and asked what books written by African-American authors do you believe everyone should read.  And without further ado, here are their top 10 answers.

1. Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison
2. Kindred, by Octavia Butler
3. Native Son, by Richard Wright
4. Beloved, by Toni Morison
5. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley
6. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
7. Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
8. Going to Meet the Man, by James Baldwin
9. Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers
10. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

Though I have The Color Purple, The Invisible Man and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I have to admit I have not read them yet, and I’ve been searching for Fallen Angels for months.  So, it looks like I’m in for another trip to Half Price Books.

What about you?  What’s your favorite book written by an African-American author?

Want to find out more about African-American authors? Check out Steve’s blog post later this month.

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Julie is Production Manager at Half Price Books Corporate.
You may follow her on Twitter at @auntjewey.