Author: reads must

Categories
Non Fiction

Everyday Sexism, Laura Bates

‘Everyday Sexism’ was released back in 2012 and I am unsure why (and also annoyed) that I had not read it sooner.

Having experienced a number of sexist incidents and being sick of how sexism has become normalised Laura Bates started the ‘Everyday Sexism’ project which is what is she used to fuel this powerful read. From young girls being harassed in the street to discrimination at work, to the most serious cases of sexual assault and rape – this book covers it all!

What makes this book really stand out is the sheer amount of research which Bates has carried out. Each chapter starts with statistics and the experiences people shared with her in the form of a tweet, which really illustrates the extent of the issue our society faces. The book is very well written and is not to be misinterpreted as a hate campaign against men. In fact, Bates discusses how men also face sexism (boys being told not to play with dolls, men being told to man up, lack of paternity leave) and shares stories of how men have and can confront it. It is made very clear that attitudes within our society need to change and why feminism is still important in the 21st century. Whilst a catcall, or a rape joke may be said without the intent to cause offence and therefore appear trivial to some, this book delves into the detrimental impact this can have on people and wider society.

For some, the horrifying stats and experiences will come as no surprise. To others, they will be a real eye opener. However, one thing that is for sure is that no matter what gender you are or whether you call yourself a feminist or not this is a must read and everyone can take something from this book

Categories
Fiction

I Made A Mistake, Jane Corry

I Made a Mistake: The compelling new thriller from the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of I LOOKED AWAY by [Jane Corry]

Having read other novels by Jane Corry I knew that I Made A Mistake would be a read which was hard to put down.  

Poppy Page is a mum, wife, and owns a successful extras agency. When her first love Matthew Gordon walks back into her life Poppy makes a huge mistake- and that mistake is more dangerous than one could ever imagine, which is bound to have a profound effect on the whole family.

The story is well written and told from 3 different perspectives; Poppy’s, scenes from The Central Criminal Court where Poppy gives evidence for a murder trial, and Betty’s, Poppy’s mother in law. I particularly loved how Betty’s story was told through a series of letters to Poppy which described her life with her late husband Jock. Betty appears to be a very loving mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, who at 70 years old is still full of life! Although she comes across very flawless, in letters to Poppy she unravels the mistakes she too made during her marriage and similarities are formed.

Primarily a thriller, I Made a Mistake also touches upon domestic transformations over the years. However, I was a little disappointed that at the end it is suggested that Poppy can’t be the best mum/wife and keep managing her agency.  Despite this, the book is well written, full of suspense and once again Jane Corry succeeds in leading you to believe one thing for the majority of the book and takes you by surprise at the end.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin Random House for supplying me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Categories
Non Fiction Self help

Confidence Lost/Confidence Found, Kate McGuinness

Unlike some self-help books Confidence Lost/Confidence Found is extremely useful. This book goes above and beyond offering more than your standard clichés and instead gives practical tips and offers the science behind them.

Having gone from high flying lawyer to questioning her self-worth, Kate reflects on her own experiences to help others. I for one have suffered from lost confidence and felt I could fully relate to Kate and found her tips useful and easy to implement into everyday life. This book focuses on small steps, which may seem trivial, yet they are less daunting and therefore much easier to achieve, meaning the results of these small changes are in fact life changing.


Not only did I love the summaries at the end of each chapter meaning that upon finishing the book I could easily revise the different sections but also throughout the book you are signposted to further resources. This is fantastic for those who want to learn or work more on specific aspect which is discussed throughout the book.

All in all, Confidence Lost/Confidence Found is a very empowering read and I believe we can all take something from this book.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

A Stranger on the Beach, Michele Campbell

Caroline appears to have the perfect life. She is married, has a daughter, is very wealthy and has a luxurious beach house which most of us would only dream of. However, her world comes crashing down when she throws a party and her husband Jason turns up with another woman.

As her world begins to crumble Caroline goes to drink her sorrows in her local bar and in an act of desperation, she ends up having a one-night stand with mysterious bar tender Aiden. Whilst the fling means nothing to Caroline, it means everything to Aiden, and when Jason goes missing it is not long before we discover Aiden has secrets of his own.

Having recently read ‘It’s Always the Husband’ by Michele Campbell, I was excited to see how ‘A Stranger on the Beach’ would compare. I have nothing but praise for the way this book was written as the author switches between the two protagonists.  From early on you discover that Caroline and Aiden’s recollection of events are different meaning that you are left not knowing who to trust. This is carried well throughout the novel and every time I thought I had worked it out the plot spun in a completely different direction.

There are psychological thrillers and then there is A Stranger on the Beach.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

Haven’t They Grown, Sophie Hannah

The Leesons and the Braids were best friends. They did everything together but then their friendship came to a holt and they have not seen each other for 12 years.

One Sunday morning Beth Leeson takes her son to football. Upon realising she is near the former home of her old best friend Flora Braid she cannot resist to take a peak. Parked up opposite the house Beth is gobsmacked to see Flora and her two kids Thomas and Emily. Except Thomas and Emily look exactly the same as they did 12 years ago when they were five and three years old. But how can that be when they should be seventeen and fifteen now? Why haven’t they grown?

Determined to find out what is going on Beth goes back and tells her family. Her husband Dom comes on board as he starts to track down the Braids online but as Beth gets more and more obsessed with needing to know how and why this is possible, Dom takes a step back and encourages Beth to do the same. However, unwilling to drop the matter, and fearing Flora’s children could be in danger Beth continues her quest with the encouragement of her strong-minded daughter Zannah. Sophie Hannah takes us on a roller-coaster of a journey as Beth unlocks secrets and unravels the dark truth.

This was the first book I have ever read by Sophie Hannah and I enjoyed it very much! At first I wasn’t sure the imaginative plot was very believable but I thought the concept of the children not growing was very creative and something very different to other thrillers I have read before. Haven’t They Grown is definitely a page turner.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

The Pact, Amy Heydenrych

Freya has not had the easiest path to her success. Her mother gave her up when she was a baby, she was passed from family to family and she lived in her car because she couldn’t afford to rent when she first went to college. So, when Freya gets her dream job at high tech company Atypical, she is thrilled.

Freya discovers that Atypical headhunted her and she very quickly shows quite how skilled she is. She makes a great impression in her first few weeks, especially on her new colleague Jay.

Unfortunately, whilst all seems to be going well for Freya this is short lived as co-worker, and Jay’s ex, Nicole, begins to bully Freya. After weeks of being tormented, Freya snaps and Jay hatches a plan to get back at Nicole playing a prank. It was only supposed to be a joke, but no one is laughing when the next morning Nicole is found dead.

I really enjoyed this dark novel and Amy Heydenrych never left behind many clues as to what would happen next. Whilst exploring topics such as office bullying, sexual harassment and gender inequality, this compelling novel will have you guessing to the very end with twists and turns right to the very end. Told through the voices of Freya and a journalist Isla, the truth about what happened that night unfolds.

Categories
Fiction Historical Fiction Romance

The Surplus Girls, Polly Heron

Belinda Layton is a 20 year old girl who lost her fiancé during WWI.
At the start of the book we see Belinda working in a mill where she dodges the amorous advances of creepy Mr Butterfield. At home, Belinda is residing with her late fiancé’s family, who expect her to continue living in a period of mourning, whilst her feckless family expect her to pass all her hard earned wages on to them.

As Belinda is faced with having to fend for herself and realising she is a ‘surplus girl’ she tries to better herself through attending night business school. This leads to her landing a placement in a bookshop, escaping work at the mill and the potential of finding a new romance.

This book isn’t the normal genre I go for but I really enjoyed it. The story touched upon so many societal issues such as class differences and the expectations and place of women in society in the 1920’s. A warming tale which offers hope after what had been a difficult time.