BOOK NEWS
It's getting to that time of the year again when Christmas decorations start appearing in shops and the Christmas-themed books begin popping up on shelves. One of this year's releases, Dublin author Patricia Scanlan's Coming Home, is about two very different sisters. Alison's high-flying career in the US has hit the skids because of the global financial crisis. But pride prevents her from telling her family back home just how bad things are. Envious of her sister's glamorous New York life, Olivia juggles family, career, preparations for Christmas and organising a surprise party for their mother's 70th birthday. Coming home is the last thing Alison wants to do but family ties are strong. As Alison and Olivia sort out their differences, the party and Christmas bring changes for Alison that she could never have imagined before coming home.