

#12967
Mentioned in 11 episodes
Small Things Like These
Book • 2020
Claire Keegan's "Small Things Like These" is a poignant novella set in rural Ireland during the 1980s.
It centers on Bill Furlong, a hardworking coal merchant, who discovers a disturbing secret that forces him to confront the injustices of his community.
The story unfolds with understated power, exploring themes of compassion, morality, and the enduring impact of the past.
Keegan's prose is both spare and deeply affecting, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
The novel's quiet intensity leaves a lasting impression, prompting reflection on the choices we make and the consequences that follow.
It centers on Bill Furlong, a hardworking coal merchant, who discovers a disturbing secret that forces him to confront the injustices of his community.
The story unfolds with understated power, exploring themes of compassion, morality, and the enduring impact of the past.
Keegan's prose is both spare and deeply affecting, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
The novel's quiet intensity leaves a lasting impression, prompting reflection on the choices we make and the consequences that follow.
Mentioned by














Mentioned in 11 episodes
Mentioned by Leigh Sales as a beautifully written novella set in Ireland, exploring themes of kindness and social injustice.

15 snips
Ep 255 - Sales' Summer of Culture
Recommended by Niamh Towey for her ability to illuminate human experience with concise and emotionally intelligent writing.

The Book Club Live: Books by women that challenged & changed us
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Ryan Holiday as an example of how easily one can get caught up in the daily grind, even during precious moments.


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Ryan Holiday as a beautiful passage capturing the feeling every parent knows about their children.


This Reminds You How Lucky You Are
Mentioned by
Ryan Holiday in the context of a husband's moral dilemma and the importance of extending compassion beyond one's immediate family.


What If It Was One Of Yours?
Mentioned by Bill Evel as an incredible Irish writer whose work he recently discovered.

652 Writing a Comic Novel (with Charles Baxter) | My Last Book with Bill Eville
Mentioned by MJ Franklin as a previous Book Review Book Club selection.

Book Club: Let's Talk About "Orbital," by Samantha Harvey
Discussed by MJ Franklin and colleagues as the book club's final episode of the year.

Book Club: "Small Things Like These," by Claire Keegan
Mentioned by Christine Coulson as a book she read in one sitting, comparing it to her own One Woman Show.

Christine Coulson, "One Woman Show" (Avid Reader Press, 2023)
Recommended by Oprah Winfrey as her 109th book club pick, a New York Times bestseller and one of the 100 best books of the 21st century.

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