Reynolds launches new poetry book ‘That’s Life’

Patricia Reynolds with her new poetry book ‘That’s Life’

Haggardstown drama teacher Patricia Reynolds launched her new poetry book ‘That’s Life’ last Saturday in Jackie’s Restaurant on the Dublin Road to a packed audience of family and friends.

Local historian and poet Noel Sharkey launched the event by giving the audience a brief overview of a selection of poems from ‘That’s Life’.

Past members of the Reynolds Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA), Patricia’s stage performance school, supported Patricia by reading her poems and the launch concluded with Patricia reading her final poem ‘That’s Life’ which closes her journey and moves forward with joy, happiness and excitement.

At the launch event Patricia said: “The poems cover different situations and emotions which reflect real life and are a combination of my own life’s living and the experiences of people I have met along the way.

“Often, I see or feel intensely about a scene, a happening, or a story I have heard and I write a poem about it. There is a lot of imagery in my poetry and hopefully when people read the poems, they will be able to sense a picture for themselves.”

That’s Life consists of 24 poems ranging from anorexia, love, suicide, both from the victim’s view point and also from the family left behind. There is joy, blame, birth and death culminating in a new beginning and excitement racing onward and toward a new life.  The message at the front of the book reads, ‘Everyone who has lived comes with baggage. The trick is in learning how to unpack!

That’s Life is Patricia’s fifth book to date. Her first two books Showcase 1 &  2 are plays for children written specifically for the classroom with up to 15 to 30 parts for players from 4-17 yrs of age and is available via www.dramabooks.ie  Her third and fourth book  ‘Trish the Witch’ Book 1 & 2 is aimed at children aged 6 to 10 yrs.

That’s Life is a beautiful poetry book and is available for purchase at a cost of €10 at Carroll’s Bookshop, Longwalk Shopping Centre, Dundalk and Carroll’s Books, Park Street, Dundalk. Alternatively you can purchase online via www.rapadrama.com or email Patricia directly at info@rapadrama.com

Dundalk-born John Sharkey releases new book

Dundalk native John Sharkey has recently released a new book called ‘Quest to Freedom – the journey to insight, success and happiness.”

Living in Australia since 1992, where he has just returned to after a six week visit home, John decided to write about self leadership and motivation to help people achieve success and happiness in their lives.

He believes his experiences can help you realise who you are and what you are here to do.

The book summary reads: “Are you in a corporate career that is leaving you unfulfilled? Do you lack connection in your relationships, due to your career? Are you ready to create a life that you love?

“Creating the life, career and relationships you want, can seem like a daunting task to say the least. With busy modern day living, we seem to communicate more and talk less, live in bigger houses and feel less secure, work longer and have less time for what’s truly important to us. Don’t wait any longer. The process is straight forward, easy and a whole lot of fun.

“You matter! We’re all on a journey and that means your time is limited so you want to get the most out of it. In this book you’ll get a better understanding of yourself, why you do what you do and the way you think.”

You can buy the book in Carroll’s Bookshop in Park Street or find out more at www.johnsharkey.com.au