The Rest of Our Lives (2025) – Ben Markovits
Markovits’ The Rest of Our Lives is a narrative of self-reflection and discovery. Upon arriving at the deadline of his own ultimatum, Tom Layward is compelled to become a wanderer on an undefined pilgrimage. On this path, Tom is forced to reflect and decide where to head at this crossroads he finds himself at, tackling a series of questions regarding the individual and those who surround them. Markovits utilises narrative to reckon with uncertainties like what makes or breaks a marriage, the juxtaposition of joy and loss brought by our children, and what to do about the people who stick with us, even after they’re gone. Delving into such questions that might seem difficult to answer, therefore, sees the book find a fitting home at Books Upstairs, which, since its grand opening in 1978, has curated a repertoire to include previously unknown or underrepresented genres and works into the Irish literary scene. Upholding this aim throughout almost 50 years of history and through three location changes, arriving at their final and current D’Olier Street address in 2015, Books Upstairs stands out for its dedication to promoting the circulation of new writings and ideas via supporting little-known authors and book presses.
Flesh (2025) – David Szalay
Flesh is a novel concerned with what drives, defines, and eventually destroys our lives. Through an unconventional rags-to-riches narrative, the reader follows István through adolescence into adulthood, mapping the drastic ups and downs of wealth, success, and luck in his life – changes which seem to be defined by the women István entangles himself with. Szalay presents a deep contrast between István’s appearance and interiority; while the character maintains an apparent, unrefined and stoic presence, his interior dialogue demonstrates an ever-evolving ability for introspection and sensitivity. The text reveals much about themes of male alienation and personal detachment, questioning how exactly one comes to be a bystander within their own life. These intricate and enigmatic aspects of the novel lend well to our proposed pairing, Dublin’s Secret Book and Record Shop, in Wicklow St. Dedicated to a variety of perspectives, the Secret Book Store has endured, and will continue to endure, adversity and the passage of time. Throughout the decades, they have committed to providing literature of all sorts, “both new and second hand” – having currently just over 5000 books in stock.
The Land in Winter (2024) – Andrew Miller
The Land in Winter is a historical novel spanning 3 months of the so-called freeze of 1963, focusing on the lives of two young couples – Eric & Irene Parry and Bill & Rita Simmons. The novel follows the challenges and hardships of marriage, magnified by their rural West Country setting. The mark of the Second World War and the Holocaust still looms heavy in the early 60s, and it’s amongst these pressures that Miller’s characters struggle with the transition from the socially acceptable traditional values to new, more unconventional dynamics. This human aspect of the narrative parallels the large blizzards blowing outside the door, as the characters are forced to face the underlying tensions of their life. Considering all this, what better place to find this book than Ireland’s oldest bookstore? First opened in 1768, Hodges Figgis stands out as a bookstore rich in history and tradition, a place home to stories rich in cultural heritage. Over the years, there have been multiple changes in ownership, location, and name, with the shop finally settling into its current form at Dawson Street after merging with Waterstones in 1989. Throughout all this, Hodges Figgis has retained its roots in Celtic literature and publishing, in fact functioning as a printing house itself until the 1960s.
Flashlight (2025) – Susan Choi
Flashlight focuses on growth and evolution; the novel spans over four generations of a family history, and kicks off with the tragic disappearance of a father, Saek, in 1978. From there, the narrative delves into the before and after of this event, revealing how his many identities throughout the years relate to the tumultuous environments that surround him. These moments evolve over a backdrop of the political conflicts of the time, and Choi forms her text into a hybrid of novel and historical report. Much time and care is dedicated to exploring and bringing attention to historical injustices, especially in regards to how they mark the lives of their survivors. Temple Bar Bookshop is the youngest within this selection, and the chosen home for this book that centres on old mysteries and layered narratives through time. Established in 2013, this shop specialises in rare and antiquarian texts, filling its stock exclusively with second-hand titles, which can be both bought and sold in store. While this might appear like an intimidating niche, Temple Bar Bookshop commits itself to maintaining a wide range of specialities and offering something to a wide multitude of customers. Collectors – professional or amateur – and readers alike will find plenty to interest them here!
Audition (2025) – Katie Kitamura
Audition is a novel that interrogates the backgrounds and connections of its characters and, to a degree, of its readers. Over a fatidic lunch date, the two characters establish a dynamic of questioning in regards to who they are and how they relate to each other, giving way to a kind of cat-and-mouse game. Kitamura uses the characters’ two competing narratives to establish how performative our lives really are, with the idea of acting and the roles we play day by day being interrogated within the context of professionalism, family dynamics, and motherhood. The Winding Staircase has a long history within the Dublin literary sphere, becoming a popular location in the 70s and 80s, where several well-known writers, artists, and musicians would use it as a meeting place. This environment fostered an atmosphere of creativity and debate within the space, fitting with Kitamura’s tackling of ideas of reality, presentation, and legitimacy. Currently, The Winding Staircase operates as a joint restaurant and bookstore venue; The books can be found on the ground floor, while a delicious restaurant offers lunch and dinner services above, specialising in “old-fashioned home cooking”, favouring delicious quality locally sourced dishes.
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (2025) – Kiran Desai
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny embarks the tale of two young people who find connection while battling the garbled mess of their lives, specifically reclining with the forces which shape and dominate them. Sonia and Sunny both complement and contrast each other – one character returning home while the other attempts to flee – but together they find a space that fits them both. Together, they tell separate but similar stories, with the novel balancing the narrative of their love story with family sagas and intersectional deliberations. Overall, Desai uses these characters to confront and explore the many alienations of the modern world. Though now a successful chain all over Ireland, Dubray Books began as a fittingly familial story in relation to Desai’s narrative – as a single shop in Bray founded by Helen Clear in 1973 and managed by her and her family, who eventually expanded the business in 1988. Dubray Books is dedicated to reading, aiming to provide booklovers with quality service, quality recommendations, and kindred spirits. In particular, the stores pride themselves on their book range, believing in offering the widest and varied collection of options for their customers.
