Character driven books set in Ireland I would recommend Maeve Binchy 100% , I usually revisit her once a year and I'm never disappointed.

I know the taste, I was thinking it just me that didn't like it! I've found that the only thing that helps me is get them out of the can, pat them dry really good and season them with something acidic - squeeze lemon juice on them or use a dash of either red or white wine vinegar, just a splash! The acid breaks through that smoke taste and neutralizes it .... at least for me it did!

It's very philosophical and I was perhaps a little too young when I tried it the first time, I remember being overwhelmed with the amount of information and detail in it and giving up. I've since revisited it in French instead of English, and enjoyed it much more that second time.

• Personal Opinion, NOT rage bait -

The new King does no favors to Norway, or his daughters future as Queen, by being this obtuse and not reading the room. Not minimizing anyone's grief, but they should be more mindful of their behavior and not shove him into everyone's faces, assuming they get a free pass because of the King's death. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends 1 of 2 ways - referendum to end the monarchy or him abdicating in favor of CP Ingrid.

2 which is usually my max, one on the Kindle and one from the library or my own collection.

Some non-fiction to (maybe?) add to your list:

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men (Carolina Criado Perez).

Men Explain Things to me (Rebecca Solnit).

Educated (Tara Westover).

Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley (Charlotte Gordon).

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper (Hallie Rubenhold).

Clarice Lispector - The Hour of the Star

Toni Morrison - The Bluest Eye or Aula

Marguerite Duras - i know most people say The Lover but I think The Sailor from Gibraltar is just as good of a starting point.

Marguerite Yourcenar - If Memoirs of Hadrian intimidates you (I know it did me!) try Oriental Tales as a starting point.

Washington Square, Daisy Miller and The Turn of the Screw are the best starting point.

Oh wow nice haul! I've never seen some of these before, is that kiwi lemonade? Please report back after taste test? 😁 Enjoy!

Oh this is a trick question no? 😆 I love them all equally, I think they're perfect, but the one I rewatch most often is Before Sunset - Paris is the perfect third wheel, and the light throughout the whole movie is just stunning.

LOL now I can't unsee it !

Oh this is beautiful

No, although they share same last name, these are different families. Ursula is Von der Leyen by marriage, her husband belongs to the Von der Leyen family of Krefeld elevated to nobility in the 18th century, whereas the Princess belongs to the Roman Catholic House of Leyen, that is a lot older in origin.

Cute couple!

Takk for alt, hvil I fred Harald 🇳🇴🫶

He lived a long life serving Norway to the best of his abilities, may he rest in peace.