Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
An important topic, but unfortunately I think this is least likely to get picked up by those would would benefit the most from reading it. The chapters on menstruating while homeless and while incarcerated were standouts for me. I appreciate the author's intersectional perspective, such as acknowledging the environmental impact of single-use products and simultaneously pointing out that sustainable solutions like menstrual cups and cloth pads are not accessible or feasible for many. The author mentions how periods impact non-binary people and trans men, albeit very briefly - overall I can see there was an attempt to make the language more inclusive but still room for improvement. The book dragged on towards the end for me and the last section felt like a rehash of previous points that I felt could have been significantly pared down or cut entirely. The writing felt a bit self-praising and "savior-esque" in places.
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
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.
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.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
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!
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Periods Gone Public is a book about the recent emerge of period activism, but also about the problems that women around the world face during their periods. The author mainly concentrated on the period activism in the year 2015 which, in her opinion, is the year that made periods go public. She also shows the hardships women in other countries and cultures have to go through because of a lack of education and sanitary products. But she mentions the issues of poor, homeless or gender dysphoric women in the US. Finally, she proposes to view other problems that specifically concern women through the "mentruals lens", such as viewing "abortion as necessary healthcare".
It was really interesting to learn about the attitudes towards menstruation in other countries and cultures. It was shocking to see how many women don't have access to pads and tampons and therefore have to deal with health problems and conflicts and work and school. And it was very inspiring to read about organizations, but also initiatives of the women themselves that desire to change that. I could also understand the struggles of poor and homeless women and the injustice of "tampon taxes".
However, the parts about Western period activism were a little weird. It is impossible to miss that the author is a feminist and it was hard for me to understand why someone would cheer for people posting photos of their bloody underwear on instagram or encourage freebleeding athlets. I don't think that this is necessary or helpful for raising awareness. I also think that the part about the "menstrual lens" wasn't always logical and sometimes went a little too far. The same goes for special sick days for menstruating women, for example, which would be sexist and unfair.
Another, rather small point was that the author claimed that a woman can't know know when her next period will come. This would have been an excellent opportunity to mention NFP/FAM/cycle tracking because it is free (once you have the knowledge), you can always use it and it is empowering (and it does not only allow predicting the next period, but it can also be used for birth control and family planning). Excellent opportunity - but she didn't use it. Every book about the female reproductive organs should contain a chapter on NFP/FAM.
This book is an interesting read for anyone who is interested in period activism and I am sure feminists will love it. But I would have liked it better if she had elaborated more on the issues in third world countries and left out some of the activism things. (And, honestly, "I'm too stupid to buy tampons in advance and therefore want free tampons and pads in every toilet" is not a good argument. Your period comes once every few weeks (except for pco/pcos ladies probably) and as long as you're not near menopause, it is never wrong to have some pads and tampons at home [or cloth pads and menstrual cups, depending on what you're using]).
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
It was really interesting to learn about the attitudes towards menstruation in other countries and cultures. It was shocking to see how many women don't have access to pads and tampons and therefore have to deal with health problems and conflicts and work and school. And it was very inspiring to read about organizations, but also initiatives of the women themselves that desire to change that. I could also understand the struggles of poor and homeless women and the injustice of "tampon taxes".
However, the parts about Western period activism were a little weird. It is impossible to miss that the author is a feminist and it was hard for me to understand why someone would cheer for people posting photos of their bloody underwear on instagram or encourage freebleeding athlets. I don't think that this is necessary or helpful for raising awareness. I also think that the part about the "menstrual lens" wasn't always logical and sometimes went a little too far. The same goes for special sick days for menstruating women, for example, which would be sexist and unfair.
Another, rather small point was that the author claimed that a woman can't know know when her next period will come. This would have been an excellent opportunity to mention NFP/FAM/cycle tracking because it is free (once you have the knowledge), you can always use it and it is empowering (and it does not only allow predicting the next period, but it can also be used for birth control and family planning). Excellent opportunity - but she didn't use it. Every book about the female reproductive organs should contain a chapter on NFP/FAM.
This book is an interesting read for anyone who is interested in period activism and I am sure feminists will love it. But I would have liked it better if she had elaborated more on the issues in third world countries and left out some of the activism things. (And, honestly, "I'm too stupid to buy tampons in advance and therefore want free tampons and pads in every toilet" is not a good argument. Your period comes once every few weeks (except for pco/pcos ladies probably) and as long as you're not near menopause, it is never wrong to have some pads and tampons at home [or cloth pads and menstrual cups, depending on what you're using]).
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Had the pleasure of meeting the author on her book tour, such an incredible advocate and activist!