Books: Stories of love that will make ideal St Valentine’s Day gifts

The most romantic day of the year is fast approaching, Valentine’s Day, and what better way to showcase your love than by treating your Valentine to a great Irish read!

Bookselling Ireland is urging shoppers to pop into their local bookshop ahead of February 14, to shop local and pick up one of the great new Irish books available in-store.

You will be sure to delight the one you love!

Whatever your loved one’s interests, there is something that will make your Valentine smile.

Here is a selection of suggested titles to help you share the love.

New Debut Irish Novels

The new year brings with it the launch of several exciting new Irish debut novels from authors from all across the country that will be sure to please.

Nesting, from Roisin O’Donnell, a mother-of-two based in Dublin, is a tense, beautiful read, underpinned by unassailable love, hope and resilience, that tells the story of one woman’s bid to start over.

Confessions, by Catherine Airey, is an essential, immersive debut novel from an astonishing new voice.

It traces the arc of three generations of women as they experience the irresistible gravity of the past: its love, tragedy, mystery, and redemption.

Airey grew up in England in a family of mixed English-Irish descent, and now lives between County Cork and Bristol.

The Boy From The Sea, a debut novel by Garrett Carr, is incredibly moving, witty and warm, telling the story of a family and a town, and the difference the arrival of one child can make.

Carr teaches creative writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen’s University Belfast,

Sligo author Elaine Garvey’s debut novel, The Wardrobe Department, is a story about reckoning with the past, finding the courage to change the present and asking what comes next….

Frogs For Watchdogs by Seán Farrell, who lives in Sligo, is a dark, funny, tender, and raw read which is an ode to the blended family and the bewildering joy, wary safety and profound new bonds of love.

New Irish Fiction

There are also new Irish fiction releases from well-known authors that will make for a perfect Valentine’s Day surprise:

The Glass House, by Rachel Donohue is a captivating and compelling tale of two sisters and their secrets of love, regret and vengeance.

Bestselling author, Roisin Meaney returns with Moving On, an irresistible read about family, friendship and finding where you belong.

Eimear McBride’s The City Changes Its Face offers an intense story of passion, jealousy and family - a sure-fire Valentine’s Day hit.

Author of Boys Don’t Cry, Fíona Scarlett also launches her new novel just in time for Valentine’s Day. May All Your Skies Be Blue is billed as an unforgettable story of love, loss, regret and the indelible marks one person can make on your life.

Non-Fiction Gift Ideas

Fans of non-fiction will also be spoilt for choice for a Valentine’s Day read, with new titles launching ahead of February 14.

Power Manifesting: The New Science Of Getting What You Want, by Paul McKenna, will help your loved one discover the power of manifesting this Valentine’s Day.

Using the techniques from the book, readers will start to notice changes in their motivation and positivity.

Looking for an inspiring and practical read for a loved one? Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For, by Mark Rowe, reveals the most important things we can do today to improve our lives for tomorrow.

Nature lovers will enjoy the new to paperback, Wild Embrace: Connecting To The Wonder Of Ireland’s Natural World, by Anja Murray. This transformative book opens hearts and minds to the unseen wonders of Ireland’s natural world.

Also arriving in paperback ahead of Valentine’s Day, Marian Broderick’s Bold, Brilliant & Bad - Irish Women From History allows readers to meet the women from history who went against the grain and challenged the expectations of the world.

A Bit of Poetry….

Who wouldn’t want a love poem this Valentine’s Day?

Nicola Reddy’s Best-Loved Irish Love Poems has just arrived in bookshops, making it the ideal gift for the day of love.

In this delightful collection, some of Ireland’s most celebrated writers capture the joy and pain of romantic love.

A Few for our Young Loves

Not forgetting our younger loves too this Valentine’s Day. There is a vast array of great Irish children’s and teen books available now, with a selection of new arrivals just in time to celebrate Valentine’s Day;

Eoin Colfer’s Three Tasks For A Dragon is now available in paperback, telling the story of Prince Lir who is tricked into embarking on a perilous quest to rescue a maiden from a dragon.

He may be no warrior, but he uses his brain to make himself indispensable to the grumpy dragon.

Teens will love A Fix Of Light, by Kel Menton, a powerful and moving trans love story with a dark magical twist.

Where The Heart Should Be, by the phenomenally talented Sarah Crossan, is another great option for younger readers that arrives in paperback this month.

This is a love story and the story of a people being torn apart.

Dawn Behan, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, said, “There are so many exciting new Irish books and classic love stories available in bookshops throughout the country now that will make the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

“Our experienced booksellers are only too happy to help you find just the right gift option for the one you love so be sure to pop into your local bookshop today.”

For more great gift ideas, for any occasion, keep an eye on Bookselling Ireland’s social media platforms; Facebook: @BooksellingIreland, X: @Booksellingirel and Instagram: @BooksellingIreland.

You can also pop into your local bookshop to receive a great book recommendation today!

There are currently more than 220 bookshops across the country, together employing over 3,000 people and generating €189 million for the Irish economy.