There were very few books written at the time of the Famine. Most of the ones available today were written in the late 19th or in the 20th century. Best to avoid the "novels" and go for the non-fiction. Here is a list of some you might care to track down. Irish Famine Facts by John Keating. ISDN 0-901317-46-2 The History of the Irish in America by Ann Kathleen Bradley The Famine in Ireland by Mary E. Daly The Great Calamity by Christine Kenealy The Irish Famine - An Illustrated History by Helen Litton A Farewell to the Famine by Jim Rees The Visition of God? by Austin Bourke This is only a tiny fraction but should give you a picture of the horror. Also check the database for previous links.