This obsession with the word ‘girls’ is a by-product of a preoccupation with youth in women, writes Louise O’Neill

There are a few words that I use extensively in my daily life. Patriarchy. Misogyny. Feminism. Intersectionality. (I am great craic, please invite me to your parties.)

ONE of my favourite things to do around Oscar season is to read The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘Brutally Honest Oscar Ballot’ in which anonymous members of the Academy admit who they voted for and explain their reasons why.

I’m the person at barbecues dressed in what basically amounts to a bee-keeper’s uniform, writes Louise O’Neill.

I became interested in the power of positive thinking when I was 17 and found a copy of You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay on our bookshelves at home.

As I have mentioned in this column before, I’ve commandeered one of the spare bedrooms in my parents’ house as my writing room.

How is it possible that this novel was written in 1985, and yet so little has changed in 15 years, asks Louise O’Neill.

There has always been a certainty with Áine that no matter what happened we would always be connected, says Louise O’Neill.

Being a trophy wife is not real power. Real power is never dependent on someone else’s mood and/or generosity, says Louise O’Neill.

You might not like the idea of abortion. You might never like it. No one is ever going to force you to terminate your pregnancy.