"Staff Picks": A Selection of Books From the Staff of STMC

As part of Literature Week 2023, the staff of St. Michael's have come together to recommend books that we've enjoyed that we think you'll enjoy too. Please find a list of books below, categorised by which age group we feel would most enjoy them. You'll find most of these books, along with plenty of other great reads, in the school library, where Ms. Kenny is always on hand for advice and more recommendations.

This book would be most enjoyed by Senior Cycle students..

Mr. O'Connor recommends:

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

“This book explores mistaken beliefs about past events to shine a light on how positive human nature can be.”

Mr. Doheny recommends:

Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson

“Autobiography of Phil Jackson, coach of NBA teams Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers during their most successful periods.”

Ms. Doherty recommends:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

“A powerful story set in Nazi Germany that deals with life, death and love.”

Mr. Joyce recommends:

Open by Andre Agassi

“The autobiography of tennis player Andre Agassi. A brilliant read.”

Mr. Cregan recommends:

Politics and the English Language by George Orwell

“This is a short essay (rather than a book) about how people use language to justify their belief in bad ideas. If you enjoy seeing people get caught out in a lie on live TV, this is the written equivalent. It also contains good advice on how to write clearly.”

Mr. Keogh recommends:

The Call of Cthulhu (and other short stories) - H.P. Lovecraft

“H.P. Lovecraft creates other versions of reality, where horror and science fiction merge into our world.”

Mr. Jones recommends:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

“A powerful story set in Nazi Germany that deals with life, death and love.”

Mr Conway recommends:

Open by Andre Agassi

“The autobiography of tennis player Andre Agassi. Really good.”

This book would be most enjoyed by all students...

Ms. Healy recommends:

1984 by George Orwell

“Written in 1949, in “1984” Orwell creates a technologically advanced world in which fear is used as a tool for manipulating and controlling individuals who do not conform. Every citizen is under surveillance and no one is free. With the rise of populism in modern times, it is a book worth reading.”

Mr. Clynes recommends:

The Sports Gene by David Epstein

“The debate is as old as physical competition. Are stars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams genetic freaks put on Earth to dominate their respective sports? Or are they simply normal people who overcame their biological limits through sheer force of will and obsessive training? This book tackles the 'nature vs nurture' debate and investigates what can shape an athlete.”

Mr. Skehan recommends:

The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

“This is the book that has had the single greatest impact on the St. Michael's College rugby programme.”

Ms. Kenny recommends:

His Dark Materials- a trilogy of Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman.

"Taking place in worlds somewhere between ours and elsewhere, it's an epic multiverse adventure full of close calls, heartbreak and the power of belief.

It's a brilliantly written, thought provoking story and I'd recommend it to any and everyone."

This book would be most enjoyed by Junior Cycle students...

Ms. Fannin recommends:

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

“Two friends get together after college to make digital games in the 1990's. They become superstars and set up a successful company. They build perfect gaming worlds but the world they live in is imperfect with fame, tragedy following their success. There are themes of identity, creativity, disability, failure and most importantly, the need to connect.”

Mr. Molloy recommends:

The Recruit by Robert Muchamore

“A boy is recruited into a spy organisation that uses teenagers to infiltrate criminal gangs. More suitable for second or third years. The first in a great series.”

Students enjoying a "Drop Everything and Read" class.

Congratulations to Zane Blount-Ronan (1st Year), Aidan Kelly (2nd Year) and Chester Ryan (3rd Year) who each won a €25 voucher for Dundrum for having the best literature-based costume! Zane was dressed as The Riddler from DC Comics' graphic novels, Aidan dressed as a greaser from SE Hinton's novel 'The Outsiders' and Chester came as Wilbert Awdry's iconic Thomas the Tank Engine from his Railway Series books. Well done to all.