

The most popular books of the year as voted for by YOU. Warmest congratulations to Eimear Ní Bhraonáin for The Dodger and Donncha O'Callaghan for Disaster Dad: Fun Day Fiasco.
As chosen by Eason booksellers - the books they loved this year.
1. The Secret Life Of Leinster House
by Gavan Reilly
€17.99
What is it like to run for election? How do public representatives deal with the cut-throat competition from their rivals – and their own running mates? How intense is the work? What’s the Dáil bar really like? Why are parliamentary party meetings so leaky? What goes on behind closed doors at Cabinet meetings? What do special advisers actually do? And why, given the almost constant abuse that now comes with the job, would anyone want to do it? Political Correspondent Gavan Reilly takes us inside Dáil Éireann to discover what it takes to survive in Ireland’s political cauldron. With unprecedented access to political insiders, The Secret Life of Leinster House lifts the lid on the corridors of power as never before – revealing how Irish politics really works, and the demands it places on those who make it their lives.
Paperback
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5. Dynasty: Scandals, Triumph, Turmoil and Succession at the Heart of Dunnes Stores
by Matt Cooper
€20.99
The real story behind Dunnes Stores, the most quintessentially Irish shop of all, and the family drama behind it This is the story of the extraordinary family behind one of Ireland's most famous businesses, Dunnes Stores, over three generations and covering nearly 80 years of retailing but going back as far as the 19th century. With drama worthy of the popular TV drama Succession, a real-life Irish family drama shows the children of a dominant founder argue as to who should run the supermarket empire after his death and take the money from it, and how they dealt or not, with addictions and ill health, including alcoholism.
Hardback
7. Guinness: A Family Succession
by Arthur Edward Guinness
€17.99
The inside story of how the Guinness family created the largest brewery in the world. Arthur Edward Guinness, the 4th Earl of Iveagh and head of the Guinness family, explores the immense legacy of his extraordinary family in this narrative nonfiction book, published to coincide with a major Netflix television series titled House of Guinness. Guinness draws on family letters, archives, and photographs to tell, for the first time, the real story of how four generations of Guinnesses, starting from humble origins in Ireland, created the world's largest brewery and perhaps the most iconic beer ever. The earl explores the contrasting personalities of his forebears and the story of the Guinness family succession in the Victorian era, and explains how they made a difference in Ireland, Britain, and far beyond. This is the inside story of one of the great families of Ireland and Britain in its formative eras-a generational saga encompassing family drama, business innovation, public works, and charitable endeavors.
Paperback
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8. An Irish Word A Day: 365 Ways To Speak Irish Everyday
by Hector a hEochagáin
€18.99
Many of us wish we had paid more attention in Irish class and could still speak the cúpla focal. When we lose our language, we lose a part of who we are. Here, Hector makes adding an Irish word a day to your vocabulary a habit that's as easy as brushing your teeth. Month-by-month, through stories, words and phrases, Hector takes us through the year with words from the practical to the magical, for every season and new moon. When you start the day, you'll be able to name the gallúnach (soap) and ubh brúite (boiled egg). When you head to the chipper after a few pints you'll be able to order an ispín buailte (battered sausage). And when you look out your window and see the robin is building his nest again in spring, you'll be able to greet the spiteog through Irish. Reclaim your heritage (oidhreacht) by learning an Irish word a day and with Hector.
Hardback
13. Milly Mccarthys Wild Atlantic Antics
by Leona Forde
€9.49
Renowned for causing disaster wherever she goes, Milly and her class set off on a trip to the Gaeltacht – what could possibly go wrong?! (8+) Illustrated by Karen Harte - Children's Books Ireland It’s nearly the summer holidays and Milly’s class is heading off on a school tour to the Gaeltacht in the West of Ireland. Milly can’t wait to be away from home with her friends – but the teachers aren’t quite so excited. Because Milly is a constant catastrophe waiting to happen, and they know it’s only a matter of time before she turns the school tour upside down ...
Paperback
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14. Disaster Dad: Fun Day Fiasco
by Donncha O'Callaghan
€11.99
'Even sillier than the reddest pair of underpants, this is packed with action, antics and the groaniest of dad jokes' - Shane Hegarty, author of the Boot series 'Donncha is back with another dad-sized dollop of disaster! Jam-packed with delicious doughnuts, wind-borne wellies and supermodel mutts, this chronicle of calamity is fantastic fun for all the family ... and their dog!' - Alan Nolan, author of the Molly and Bram series Irish rugby star and media personality Donncha O'Callaghan is back with another laugh-out-loud family story, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor. When Finn, Emma, Dad and Mum participate in a family fun day to raise money for charity, their competitive nature is revealed! When the family discover that Dad's arch-rival is also competing in the family fun day, Dad is determined to win! With a welly-throwing competition, wacky races and a talent show to prepare for, the family are on a strict NO DOUGHNUTS diet and training regime. But will their efforts be enough to win the prize? Full of mishaps and chaos, this hilarious story is sure to delight all readers aged 7+, and is perfect for fans of Dermot O'Leary, Jeremy Strong and Pamela Butchart. Also available - Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos.
Hardback
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15. Pablo And Splash Roman Holiday
by Sheena Dempsey
€9.49
Time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash must fight gladiators in Ancient Rome in this hilarious full-colour graphic novel, part of a British Book Award-shortlisted series. Fans of Bunny vs Monkey or InvestiGATORS will love it. "You'll laugh your flippers off!" — John Patrick Green, creator of InvestiGATORS "Irresistibly funny" — The Guardian When their penguin pal Benji won’t believe they’ve travelled through time, Pablo and Splash have a point to prove. The two travel to Ancient Rome, hoping to bring back a centurion helmet as proof of their adventures. But when Pablo and Splash meet an emperor with a passion for collecting exotic birds, only some quick thinking — and emergency time travel — can save them from the fate that awaits them in the Colosseum! "Pablo and Splash are hilarious. I love this book!" — Oscar, age 7 "I wish I could time travel with Pablo and Splash. They make me laugh so much" — Noah, age 8 "Gripping and enjoyable ... should be recommended whatever the age of the reader. A really fun, enjoyable read. 10/10" — Irish Times on Pablo and Splash
Paperback
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17. Nina Peanut 3: Epic World Tour Era
by Sarah Bowie
€9.49
Ideal for readers who: Love illustrated middle grade comedy with a huge personality. Enjoy holiday disasters, frenemies and gloriously over-the-top narration. Would relish a sunny family trip packed with ice creams, sandcastles and chaos. Prefer bright, full-colour books that feel energetic and very funny. The third laugh-out-loud full colour story starring Nina Peanut - superstar frozen pizza chef, ghost hunter and detective extraordinaire, creative genius. The funniest new friend for all kids, everywhere. I'm Nina Peanut and I'm in my world tour era - ok, so I'm actually just going on an all-inclusive family holiday to Sunshiney Island, but STILL. And who's that I've just spotted on the next sun lounger over? Only my mortal enemy Megan Dunne, who had told everyone at school she was off to the Maldives... Pack your sunglasses and flip flops and join me for a sandcastle competition, extremely elaborate ice creams, fun in the sun and the BEST HOLIDAY EVER! Hilariously funny, with themes of friendship/frenemies, big dreams, brilliant pets: hours and hours of reading fun guaranteed for kids. Warm, offbeat wit and gorgeous, bright full colour pictures throughout. Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries and Lottie Brooks.
Paperback
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23. Lottie Brooks Vs The Ultra Mean Girls
by Katie Kirby
€12.99
Ideal for readers who: Love diary-style stories full of school disasters, crushes and friendship drama. Are here for Lottie Brooks facing social politics at their meanest. Want tween chaos, humiliations and plotting brought to life with humour. Enjoy illustrated middle-grade books that are wildly relatable and very funny. From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a brand-new diary in the phenomenal Lottie Brooks series! Today we brainstormed strategies to #GETAMBERBACK. Our top ideas are: Send her flowers Hypnotise her Kidnap her Tell everyone she smells like lasagne Emotionally blackmail her by making a BFF photo montage Just when Lottie thought life might be going back to normal, everything goes wrong again! Amber's hanging out with the Ultra Mean Girl Gang at school and is completely ignoring the Queens of Eight Green. Mum's gone back to work and expects Lottie to 'help around the house more', Bella keeps biting everyone and Pot Noodle will not stop sniffing every dog's bum. DISASTER! Now Lottie has to come up with a foolproof plan to get Amber back before her friendship group is destroyed forever. What could go wrong? Join Lottie as she battles the mean girls, takes on school injections (apparently they can go through your arm!), and even more extremely embarrassing moments. Readers LOVE Lottie Brooks: My daughter couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days. Read at breakfast, walking downstairs, tea time, and in the bath. My 9-year-old daughter devoured it in two nights, and all I could hear from her was giggling and the occasional ""Mum! Listen to this! This is SO me!"". My 12-year-old reluctant reader took this book, read 100 pages in one night, and proclaimed it 'the best book ever' Katie has managed to capture the essence of what this group thinks and feels in a positive, life-affirming fashion. Have you read all of Lottie's embarrassing diaries? Book 1: The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks Book 2: The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks Book 3: The Mega Complicated Crushes of Lottie Brooks Book 4: The Disastrous School Trip of Lottie Brooks Book 5: The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks Book 6: The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks Other books from the world of Lottie Brooks: Lottie Brooks's Essential Guide to Life
Paperback
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24. Ninety-Nine Words For Rain (And One For Sun)
by Manchán Magan
€18.99
Ideal for readers who: Are fascinated by Irish language, weather lore and cultural memory. Enjoy books that uncover meaning through old words and close observation. Would like to explore an Atlantic Ireland shaped by birds, seas and shifting skies. Prefer beautifully produced gift books that feel reflective and distinctive. Meet the néaladóirí (cloud-watchers) and réadóirí (star-gazers) from our past who, without the luxury of Met Éireann at their disposal, observed birds, trees, animals, as well as markers on land and sea for signs of weather change. The sheer richness and variety of terms they amassed reveal the closeness with which they observed the world around them. Swallows flying low foretold rain. The heron's behaviour offered many hints: Aimsir chrua thirim nuair a bhíonn an corr éisc suas in aghaidh srutha chun na sléibhte (when the heron flies upstream to the mountains the weather will be dry but rough). Fearthainn nuair a thagann sí an abhainn anuas (when she goes downstream, it will rain). Evoking countless sodden, shivery experiences on this Atlantic-swept Island of ours, this beautifully illustrated gift book uses Irish words to grasp an almost-lost world through the wisdom stored in the Irish language.
Hardback
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25. The Poems of Seamus Heaney
by Seamus Heaney
€39.99
A definitive collection of the poems of Seamus Heaney, spanning his entire career. The Poems of Seamus Heaney brings together the twelve volumes of verse published between 1966 and 2016, from Death of a Naturalist to Human Chain , along with his translations and late poems. It is a testament to one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century – and to the power of language to endure, console and illuminate. Edited and introduced by his family, this beautifully produced volume stands as the essential Heaney – an extraordinary body of work that continues to inspire readers across the world.
Hardback
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