Black and White SandsElma Napiers remarkable memoir chronicles her love affair with the wild Caribbean island of Dominica. It began in 1932 when she turned her back on Londons high society to build a home in Calibishie, a remote village on Dominicas north coast. There are tales of literary house parties, of war and death, smugglers and servants and, above all, of stories inspired by her political life as the only woman in a colonial parliament. She writes deftly about the

“Only a dedicated sourpuss could fail to be swept along by Lucas’s zest and intelligence”

a biography and a travelogue

Another favourite is ‘Grace’

childhoods such as Pooran's

or the meaning behind a broken watch

longlisted for the Dublin IMPAC award and shortlisted for several other prizes in 2011

as well as poets of Irish ancestry and non-nationals who have been resident and writing in Ireland for long periods are included

The rhythms and repetitive patterns of Caribbean language are a rich component of the story – as is typical of Trish’s work – and the illustrations have that marvellous realism that is a hallmark of Caroline’s many successful books

both contemporaneously and historically

His work also features in the Forward Book of Poetry 2009

I’m asking for his musicality

All Over the Place: A Life is the autobiography of Ron Southerton – a life both ordinary and remarkable