ksd1441's review against another edition
3.0
While perhaps not what I was expecting, this book is an essential starter and springboard to a conversation that has built a load of momentum over a short two years. It's an issue that has been long-lived, honestly since the beginning, and is pushing hard recently to be resolved. This book collects many instances where people and powers take a moment to reflect on menstruation and how it effects everything and everyone--not just women--and how we can all finally say that menstruating people have equal standing in public, and in private, during that cycle.
Society and cultures around the world have designed this biological event to be something shamed and considered a curse. It's definitely past due to stand up and proclaim to anyone within earshot that it certainly is not something to be ashamed of, and it will not make anyone weaker. I was looped into that thinking for many years, and not necessarily because I felt lower during my period. The world around me said I had to hide this part of my life, to make sure nobody saw because it would make them uncomfortable and embarrass me. Now, and even before this book, I honestly couldn't care less, but there are others who don't get that luxury.
If you ever had any questions about what it's like for those less fortunate than you while menstruating, read this book. Make changes. Look for a way to make things better for others. I know I'm going to start doing a better job about it. Perhaps go green with your own products. Donate to organizations desperately in need of products for their clientele. Sign petitions to finally deal away with the tampon tax. Talk to politicians and others in positions of power. Make sure the menstruating voices are heard, because it's a big part of life, one that unfortunately gets swept under the rug far too often. It's freakin' life. Nothing to be afraid of.
And this isn't just for cisgender women. This is for everyone. So make sure to talk about periods to those like you, and those not like you. Work to make it common vernacular, instead of something whispered behind hands and coded with special nicknames (though I am fond of the term "shark week"). The more open we are about what our bodies do, the easier it will be for others to understand, those who cannot simply because they lack the parts and for perhaps for those who refuse to listen (no names mentioned here...).
So, yes. Go Public with your Period, and take a stand for people who menstruate.
Society and cultures around the world have designed this biological event to be something shamed and considered a curse. It's definitely past due to stand up and proclaim to anyone within earshot that it certainly is not something to be ashamed of, and it will not make anyone weaker. I was looped into that thinking for many years, and not necessarily because I felt lower during my period. The world around me said I had to hide this part of my life, to make sure nobody saw because it would make them uncomfortable and embarrass me. Now, and even before this book, I honestly couldn't care less, but there are others who don't get that luxury.
If you ever had any questions about what it's like for those less fortunate than you while menstruating, read this book. Make changes. Look for a way to make things better for others. I know I'm going to start doing a better job about it. Perhaps go green with your own products. Donate to organizations desperately in need of products for their clientele. Sign petitions to finally deal away with the tampon tax. Talk to politicians and others in positions of power. Make sure the menstruating voices are heard, because it's a big part of life, one that unfortunately gets swept under the rug far too often. It's freakin' life. Nothing to be afraid of.
And this isn't just for cisgender women. This is for everyone. So make sure to talk about periods to those like you, and those not like you. Work to make it common vernacular, instead of something whispered behind hands and coded with special nicknames (though I am fond of the term "shark week"). The more open we are about what our bodies do, the easier it will be for others to understand, those who cannot simply because they lack the parts and for perhaps for those who refuse to listen (no names mentioned here...).
So, yes. Go Public with your Period, and take a stand for people who menstruate.
lberestecki's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting book, but I do think it's the type of book that is basically only going to be read by people that already understand a lot of what she's talking about. I did really appreciate that she made a point of talking about how these issues affect non-binary people and trans men differently but equally strongly. I also thought she did a good job of making it clear how widespread these issues are and avoiding any tone of western superiority or of white savior complex.
This was a quick read and definitely worth picking up if you like to read about feminist issues.
Receive from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
This was a quick read and definitely worth picking up if you like to read about feminist issues.
Receive from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
rebecanunez's review against another edition
5.0
Es una lastima que este en ingles, ya que la realidad de la que habla, no se limita a los Estados Unidos, ni por asomo. Creo que es una lectura relevante, para hombres y mujeres, y que es un tema sobre el que es necesario debatir y avanzar.
rclairel's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fine enough summary of The Year of the Period (in 2105) as well as the injustices and expenses suffered by women everywhere as a result of the normal function of their bodies. I enjoyed the encouraging descriptions of women in developing countries who have invented creative solutions to provide menstrual hygiene on an affordable and small-scale level to their local communities and was appropriately infuriated by the lengthy discussion of taxes applied to menstrual products almost world-wide. The author repeatedly highlights the importance of providing menstrual hygiene products for free, like toilet paper, to inmates and homeless individuals, as well as employees of companies that can afford it. But, the author isn't a great writer, and the whole book could've been much more succinct. Go read Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez if you want some well-written data on the plight of women!
melissarochelle's review against another edition
5.0
Why is there no oversight on manufacturing of menstrual products? Why are women taxed? Why is it so taboo to talk about menstruation? These and more are the topics discussed in this informative, entertaining book.