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k_lenn's review against another edition
3.0
Welp, I guess I’m not as period positive as I thought— more period neutral. Is that a thing? I think menstruation shouldn’t be shamed and it shouldn’t be the taboo topic it is, but it *is* blood coming from your genitals. It’s bio-hazardous waste, and it should be disposed of properly.
With that in mind, I’m sure you can imagine my shock when a woman proudly writes about the time where, as a child, she’d leave used, bloody pads “on the back of the toilet, on the floor, or in my white canopy bed” because she was a “rebel” and “doesn’t hide anything.” (Imagine a child leaving feces-covered or urine-soaked toilet paper everywhere, and then speaking about it proudly as an adult? NO bodily function should be shamed— they’re natural, vital to our survival as a species, and we can’t stop them— but that doesn’t prevent the fluids or solids from those functions from being unsanitary and needing proper disposal.) The book also mentions free-bleeding, which I’m not a fan of, for reasons stated earlier. In your house? Sure, you do you, but please don’t do it in public where your blood (if it soaks through your clothing and onto things other people will touch) poses a risk to others.
At the end of the period sex segment, they mention how only you know your body and to do what makes *YOU* comfortable, completely ignoring the other party— or parties. They need to be fully willing, too. It’s okay for a partner to not want to engage in sex when blood is involved, for whatever reason. It’s okay for them to feel uncomfortable and to say no because of the blood. No, they’re not shaming you for having a period just for declining and no, it isn’t The Patriarchy™’s fault.
I would’ve liked to go over the modern options for hygiene products and how to use them, including reusable cloth pads that are often overlooked. There’s a spread about the history of period products, but not a list of current options with explanations, pros and cons, and tips on how to choose what’s best for you which I think would’ve been super helpful.
As for positives:
While my childhood was pretty traumatic, I feel very fortunate that I had very sex-positive parents who made sure I knew I could ask them about anything. I also recall having pretty in-depth sex-ed, which makes me feel even luckier— this (unfortunately) isn’t the norm. Although this book didn’t teach me much personally, I’m certain it'll help a lot of people learn more about their bodies and its sexual/reproductive functions.
A couple things that it did teach me, though, was about menopause. As I’m a few decades away from that I never really looked into it, but I now feel like I have a better understanding of the women I love and what they’re going through or have gone through. I love the tips on how to survive it, and I’ll definitely spread the info! :-)
Even though I didn't agree with everything, I think books like The Vagina Book are important and I do recommend reading it.
A big thank you to the publisher, Chronicle Books, for allowing me to read this title in exchange for an honest review.
With that in mind, I’m sure you can imagine my shock when a woman proudly writes about the time where, as a child, she’d leave used, bloody pads “on the back of the toilet, on the floor, or in my white canopy bed” because she was a “rebel” and “doesn’t hide anything.” (Imagine a child leaving feces-covered or urine-soaked toilet paper everywhere, and then speaking about it proudly as an adult? NO bodily function should be shamed— they’re natural, vital to our survival as a species, and we can’t stop them— but that doesn’t prevent the fluids or solids from those functions from being unsanitary and needing proper disposal.) The book also mentions free-bleeding, which I’m not a fan of, for reasons stated earlier. In your house? Sure, you do you, but please don’t do it in public where your blood (if it soaks through your clothing and onto things other people will touch) poses a risk to others.
At the end of the period sex segment, they mention how only you know your body and to do what makes *YOU* comfortable, completely ignoring the other party— or parties. They need to be fully willing, too. It’s okay for a partner to not want to engage in sex when blood is involved, for whatever reason. It’s okay for them to feel uncomfortable and to say no because of the blood. No, they’re not shaming you for having a period just for declining and no, it isn’t The Patriarchy™’s fault.
I would’ve liked to go over the modern options for hygiene products and how to use them, including reusable cloth pads that are often overlooked. There’s a spread about the history of period products, but not a list of current options with explanations, pros and cons, and tips on how to choose what’s best for you which I think would’ve been super helpful.
As for positives:
While my childhood was pretty traumatic, I feel very fortunate that I had very sex-positive parents who made sure I knew I could ask them about anything. I also recall having pretty in-depth sex-ed, which makes me feel even luckier— this (unfortunately) isn’t the norm. Although this book didn’t teach me much personally, I’m certain it'll help a lot of people learn more about their bodies and its sexual/reproductive functions.
A couple things that it did teach me, though, was about menopause. As I’m a few decades away from that I never really looked into it, but I now feel like I have a better understanding of the women I love and what they’re going through or have gone through. I love the tips on how to survive it, and I’ll definitely spread the info! :-)
Even though I didn't agree with everything, I think books like The Vagina Book are important and I do recommend reading it.
A big thank you to the publisher, Chronicle Books, for allowing me to read this title in exchange for an honest review.
readingfromfrance's review against another edition
3.0
- Thanks Netgalley for the ARC -
Ok, so it was an enjoyable read with some very important information. Not groundbreaking though. I guess it is important for teens to have access to this book but as a 28 yo woman I was like "yeah ok I know that".
Probably because I was very lucky? Very not American?
Who knows!
I also think that it can be a good read for guys. They deserve to know what's going on too!
Anyway, I think it deserves a read anyway even though you think you know it all!
Plus it is funny, so yeah no reason at all not to read it.
Ok, so it was an enjoyable read with some very important information. Not groundbreaking though. I guess it is important for teens to have access to this book but as a 28 yo woman I was like "yeah ok I know that".
Probably because I was very lucky? Very not American?
Who knows!
I also think that it can be a good read for guys. They deserve to know what's going on too!
Anyway, I think it deserves a read anyway even though you think you know it all!
Plus it is funny, so yeah no reason at all not to read it.
kacy_too's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite not being a non-fiction reader. The book itself looks bigger than it really is with a lot of the pages filled with some nice art and big text. This book had a lot of great information that I had no idea about and it's the sort of book that I wish I'd read in my teenage years (though better late than never I suppose). I'd definitely recommend it to girls to read before or during puberty (or like me, after).
The book also was great in including a whole bunch of people (black, trans, non-binary, etc) but I would have liked to see some mention of the native indigenous community and their experiences as well. Black representation is great but I often see that community take the spotlight and push the native people into the shadows (not purposely of course, the world has so many issues it's hard to focus on them all). As someone who isn't American I never see any news or representation of the indigenous community and it would be interesting to read about (though I suppose there are probably books out there that I could pick up with that sort of info).
In also being a non-American there was a lot of information that didn't apply to me (health care stuff, abortion laws, etc). This book (though having a lot of great information) was very American centered, so if you're looking for a book with more info on your own region/country this might not be the book for you. I'd love to have an Australian version of this book not only going through laws and our health care system but also info on our Indigenous community as well. I might just need to do a bit of digging but for now this was an excellent book to get me started on non-fiction.
The book also was great in including a whole bunch of people (black, trans, non-binary, etc) but I would have liked to see some mention of the native indigenous community and their experiences as well. Black representation is great but I often see that community take the spotlight and push the native people into the shadows (not purposely of course, the world has so many issues it's hard to focus on them all). As someone who isn't American I never see any news or representation of the indigenous community and it would be interesting to read about (though I suppose there are probably books out there that I could pick up with that sort of info).
In also being a non-American there was a lot of information that didn't apply to me (health care stuff, abortion laws, etc). This book (though having a lot of great information) was very American centered, so if you're looking for a book with more info on your own region/country this might not be the book for you. I'd love to have an Australian version of this book not only going through laws and our health care system but also info on our Indigenous community as well. I might just need to do a bit of digging but for now this was an excellent book to get me started on non-fiction.
emmeyer's review against another edition
2.0
Very approachable and conversational in tone. Provides information in a ver accessible way. There are sections by Dr Conti theoughtout to provide more context. There are also sections by co-authors.
lpazienza26's review against another edition
4.0
Got this as part of a goodreads giveaway. At first I thought this would be Thinx propaganda, but if anything the presence of Thinx is minimal. I thought it was a nice collection of information, essays, and activism. I would have changed the organization of some of the subsections, but overall I’ll keep this book around for any future kiddos I have someday.
layla_platt's review against another edition
5.0
I got a copy of this on NetGalley and honestly I am so happy I read it.
Literally just the introduction sold me on the entire book. Everyone who has a vagina or loves someone who has a vagina should read this.
Literally just the introduction sold me on the entire book. Everyone who has a vagina or loves someone who has a vagina should read this.
eekgranola's review against another edition
3.0
Got this to add to my collection for my dream retirement job as a sex educator. Cute layout, good info, but not earth shattering/a little to thinx-ad-y for me.
chrissymcbooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
It's been so long since I've accepted an ARC for review, so I figured a book about vaginas written by a company selling special period underwear was as good a choice as any for diving back into book reviews. Although I wasn't originally familiar with Thinx, a quick browse of the company's website definitely opened my curiosity, although I'm not sure how likely I am to try these... unique.... products in the near future.
Anyways, I initially thought The Vagina Book might be intended for much younger readers, like the awkward books your mother pushes under the door around age 11 that awkwardly discuss arm pit hair and picking your first maxi pads .... but a quick flip to the chapter showing the best positions for period sex quickly changed my mind on the intended audience. I assume this book is more targeted to a slightly older crowd, mostly seeking validation and inclusivity more so than novel facts, as I think the personal stories that relate to the audience are probably a much bigger selling point than the facts (none of which are particularly new or earth-shattering). It was a nice touch to have authentically candid stories from well-known voices like YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen, who related her struggles balancing her emotional health during her menstrual cycle, making a familiar topic feel more relatable and a little less taboo.
The book focuses a lot on inclusivity of size, gender, and sexuality, which ventured into a little more politics than I was expecting. Again, there's probably nothing that you've never heard somewhere else here, but it's convenient and easy to have such an easily accessible collection of voices speaking on such a wide topic of women's issues.
*I did receive an ARC copy of this book for the purposes of providing an honest review. The manner in which the work was received did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the book.
Anyways, I initially thought The Vagina Book might be intended for much younger readers, like the awkward books your mother pushes under the door around age 11 that awkwardly discuss arm pit hair and picking your first maxi pads .... but a quick flip to the chapter showing the best positions for period sex quickly changed my mind on the intended audience. I assume this book is more targeted to a slightly older crowd, mostly seeking validation and inclusivity more so than novel facts, as I think the personal stories that relate to the audience are probably a much bigger selling point than the facts (none of which are particularly new or earth-shattering). It was a nice touch to have authentically candid stories from well-known voices like YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen, who related her struggles balancing her emotional health during her menstrual cycle, making a familiar topic feel more relatable and a little less taboo.
The book focuses a lot on inclusivity of size, gender, and sexuality, which ventured into a little more politics than I was expecting. Again, there's probably nothing that you've never heard somewhere else here, but it's convenient and easy to have such an easily accessible collection of voices speaking on such a wide topic of women's issues.
*I did receive an ARC copy of this book for the purposes of providing an honest review. The manner in which the work was received did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the book.