What I’ve Been Reading Lately: October 16

Welcome to What I’ve Been Reading Lately, a feature where I’ll be giving short reviews of what I’m currently reading:

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez

Award-winning campaigner and writer Caroline Criado Perez brings together for the first time an impressive range of case studies, stories and new research from across the world that illustrate the hidden ways in which women are forgotten, and the impact this has on their health and well-being. In making the case for change, this powerful and provocative book will make you see the world anew. (Credit: Vintage)

While reading and listening to the audiobook, I find myself nodding along at every data bias that Perez brings up in the book. I’m just so intrigued by every subject she brings up.

After the Silence by Lousie O’Neill

Nessa Crowley’s murderer has been protected by silence for ten years.
Until a team of documentary makers decide to find out the truth.

On the day of Henry and Keelin Kinsella’s wild party at their big house a violent storm engulfed the island of Inisrun, cutting it off from the mainland. When morning broke Nessa Crowley’s lifeless body lay in the garden, her last breath silenced by the music and the thunder.

The killer couldn’t have escaped Inisrun, but on-one was charged with the murder. The mystery that surrounded the death of Nessa remained hidden. But the islanders knew who to blame for the crime that changed them forever.

Ten years later a documentary crew arrives, there to lift the lid off the Kinsella’s carefully constructed lives, determined to find evidence that will prove Henry’s guilt and Keelin’s complicity in the murder of beautiful Nessa. (Credit: riverrun)

Half way through and I already know this is going to be another winner by Louise O’Neill! If you haven’t already, everyone needs to read this book!

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What I Plan to Read Next:

In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Nora hasn’t seen Clare for ten years. Not since Nora walked out of school one day and never went back.

There was a dark, dark house

Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare’s hen do arrives. Is this a chance for Nora to finally put her past behind her?

And in the dark, dark house there was a dark, dark room

But something goes wrong. Very wrong.

And in the dark, dark room….

Some things can’t stay secret for ever. (Credit: Gallery/Scout Press)

Getting ready for my month of Spooky Reads! This is my book club’s next book to read.

Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror & Speculative Fiction edited by Lisa Kröger and  Melanie R. Anderson

Part biography, part reader’s guide, the engaging write-ups and detailed reading lists will introduce you to more than a hundred authors and over two hundred of their mysterious and spooky novels, novellas, and stories. (Credit: Quirk Books)

There’s so many female horror and speculative writers and I think this biographical compilation would be a good way to be introduced to them.

The Doll: Short Stories by Daphne Du Maurier

Many of the stories in this chilling collection were written early in Daphne du Maurier’s career, before she wrote the masterpieces that would cement her reputation as one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers: Rebecca, ‘The Birds’ and ‘Don’t Look Now’. These thirteen tales of human frailty and obsession demonstrate du Maurier’s extraordinary storytelling ability and her deep understanding of human nature. (Credit: Virago Modern Classics)

The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne Du Maurier

The idea for this famous story came to du Maurier one day when she was walking across to Menabilly Barton farm from the house. She saw a farmer busily ploughing a field whilst above him the seagulls were diving and wheeling. She developed an idea about the birds becoming hostile and attacking him. In her story, the birds become hostile after a harsh winter with little food — first the seagulls, then birds of prey, and finally even small birds — all turn against mankind. The nightmarish vision appealed to Hitchcock who turned it into the celebrated film. (Credit: Virago Modern Classics)