Asking For It turns 10: The book that helped Irish women find their strength

Louise O'Neill's novel Asking For It changed Ireland for the better

The novel signified a major shift in Ireland and became one of the most important books many of us have ever read.

Asking For It was one of those books that reminded me of the power of reading, as well as the importance of using your voice, no matter what.

Not only did Louise O'Neill help me find my love of reading again, but she also helped spark a change in how Ireland talks about consent.

It was finally a topic of conversation, a conversation Ireland was unbearably late to, but one we now continue to have to this day.

The impact Asking For It had on the Irish society is something that I'll never forget.

The power of O'Neill's words sparked a conversation we may not have had without her book.

Louise helped women find their voices, their strength, and their power in a country that has treated women as second-class citizens for far too long.

Louise marked the book's 10th anniversary on social media this week, and many fans thanked her for changing the course for Irish women.

One reader shared, "To this day, this book changed my life! It’s the first real thing that made me really think about consent and ultimately led me to my college course. A brilliant book that, unfortunately, the issues it addresses are still so prevalent in our society, applauding you always, Louise!"

Another wrote, "A huge moment in Irish history - how much you changed the conversation around consent for so many, you are amazing."

"This book was seminal for my group of women in our mid to late twenties at the time!" another added.

It didn't just change things for women in Ireland, but it changed things for people around the world by bringing the conversation about consent to the forefront.

Louise said she never expected the book to change her life as much as it did.

One teacher shared, "I work in a boys' secondary school and have used your book to teach consent! The impact it makes and the conversations it opens up are powerful!"

"Ten years ago today, Asking For It was published. I had no idea then just how much this book would change my life. From the very beginning, it felt bigger than me, like it didn’t belong to me anymore, but to its readers.

"Over the last decade, I’ve been humbled by the conversations I’ve had and so grateful to the extraordinary people who have shared their own stories with me, because of it.

"I will never stop feeling profoundly privileged that this novel has been part of so many lives. Thank you."

Louise helped us have conversations that this often-toxic society never wanted us to have. The lasting impact Asking For It has had on Ireland is nothing short of remarkable.

It's a book that gave many of us, myself included, the strength to say no.