Saoirse Ronan - featuring Greta Gerwig

The novel tells the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman from small-town Ireland who, in the hard years following World War II, leaves her fragile mother and charismatic sister behind to start a new life in Brooklyn. Sponsored by an Irish priest, Eilis finds work in a department store and begins evening classes in bookkeeping. She faces homesickness and culture shock but eventually finds love with Tony, an Italian-American. However, devastating news from Ireland forces her to make a critical decision between her old and new lives. The book is a quiet tour de force, exploring themes of self-determination, love, and the complexities of immigrant life.

Written by Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women' is a semi-autobiographical novel that details the lives of the March sisters in 1860s Massachusetts. The story is loosely based on Alcott's own childhood and that of her three sisters. It explores themes of domesticity, work, and true love, and is known for its portrayal of the sisters' distinct personalities and their struggles with societal expectations. The novel follows their experiences with poverty, illness, and personal growth, and it has been praised for its realistic and empathetic depiction of family life and the challenges faced by women during that era.

The Outrun is a memoir by Amy Liptrot that chronicles her return to Orkney, her childhood home, after more than a decade of battling alcoholism in London. The book combines nature writing with self-reflection, detailing her rehabilitation and newfound connection with the natural world. Liptrot describes her experiences tracking Orkney's wildlife, swimming in the icy Atlantic waters, and reconnecting with her parents. The memoir is praised for its honest and lyrical prose, offering a moving account of addiction, recovery, and the healing power of nature.