My Summer Reading Recommendations

As summer approaches – and we've had a relatively good start compared to parts of the continent – many of us look forward to long, sunny days and a bit of relaxation. Whether you're planning a trip to the beach, enjoying your garden, or just looking for a good story to get lost in, I have a few books I recently read and am happy to recommend to you.

Yes, of course, lighthouses are featured... Here are some captivating reads to dive into this summer:

 

"The Foghorn's Lament: The Disappearing Music of the Coast"

by Jennifer Lucy Allan

 

 I discovered this book while listening to the Association of Lighthouse Keepers’ Podcast Keeping Watch and I found it a joy to read. It’s not at all a technical book on the subject; instead, it’s an exploration of the fascinating history and cultural significance of foghorns. The book is a unique blend of history, memoir, and travelogue, taking you through the soundscapes of coastal environments and the technological advances that have led to the gradual disappearance of these iconic sounds.

 Jennifer Lucy Allan is the presenter of Late Junction on BBC 3, a music writer, journalist, and record label owner with a PhD on the subject of foghorns.

 

"An Irish Atlantic Rain Forest: A Personal Journey into the Magic of Rewilding"

by Eoghan Daltun

 

Something a bit closer to my doorstep is the rewilding journey of Eoghan Daltun. Set on the Beara Peninsula in remote County Cork, this book is about Eoghan’s inspiring journey to restore a piece of Ireland’s landscape to its natural state.

 Set on a block of private land of 21.5 acres, the majority of which is highly species-rich native Atlantic temperate rainforest, this area has been fully given over to nature. Eoghan has taken immense pride in watching this unique ecosystem restore and regenerate itself naturally. It beautifully intertwines personal narrative with broader themes of conservation and ecology, offering a hopeful vision for environmental restoration. An inspiring read.

Eoghan Daltun is an Irish, Italian-trained sculptor and sculpture conservator, and farmer, also notable for his work on and advocacy for rewilding.

 

"The Lamplighters"

by Emma Stonex

 

 Inspired by true events, immerse yourself in the gripping mystery of "The Lamplighters." This novel tells the story of the unexplained disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from Maiden Rock lighthouse off the coast of Cornwall in 1972.

It's New Year's Eve, 1972, when a boat pulls up to the lighthouse with relief for the keepers. But no one greets them. When the entrance door, locked from the inside, is battered down, rescuers find an empty tower. A table is laid for a meal not eaten. The Principal Keeper's weather log describes a storm raging round the tower, but the skies have been clear all week. And the clocks have all stopped at 8:45.

 With a narrative that shifts between the past and two decades later, this book is a thrilling exploration of isolation, obsession, and the haunting power of the past.

 

 

I hope these recommendations spark your interest and provide you with some great reads for the summer. If you have any other book suggestions or if there's a book you think I should feature, feel free to leave a comment below. 

 Happy reading, and have a wonderful summer!