Non-Fiction Review: Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation by Elissa Stein and Susan Kim

Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation

by Elissa Stein and Susan Kim

St. Martin's Press

http://www.flowthebook.com

ISBN: 9780312379964

Release Date: November 10, 2009

from the publisher's site: 

In this hip, hilarious and truly eye-opening cultural history, menstruation is talked about as never before.Flow spans its fascinating, occasionally wacky and sometimes downright scary story: from mikvahs (ritual cleansing baths) to menopause, hysteria to hysterectomies—not to mention the Pill, cramps, the history of underwear, and the movie about puberty they showed you in 5th grade. 

 

Flow answers such questions as: What’s the point of getting a period? What did women do before pads and tampons? What about new drugs that promise to end periods—a hot idea or not? Sex during your period: gross or a turn-on? And what’s normal, anyway?  With color reproductions of (campy) historical ads and early (excruciating) femcare devices, it also provides a fascinating (and mind-boggling) gallery of this complex, personal and uniquely female process.

As irreverent as it is informative, Flow gives an everyday occurrence its true props – and eradicates the stigma placed on it for centuries.

my thoughts: 

You have to read this book! I'm going to say it again, just for emphasis, you have to read this book! I was hooked from the first page and finished it in only two sittings (I could have done it in one, but had to sleep). Flow is not only informative, but it is fascinating and funny. My poor boyfriend...every other paragraph I was shouting out some new tidbit of information that I'd just picked up. Because I've taken a women's history class not all of the information was new to me, but so much of it was. 

Reading Flow was a truly eye-opening experience for me and it has made me think a lot more about that little visitor and how I really feel about the whole process. Read this book, I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

Paranormal Romance Review: Dark Crusade by Lori Devoti

Dark Crusade

by Lori Devoti

Silhouette Nocturne

http://www.loridevoti.com

ISBN: 9780373618095

April 2009

from the author's site: 

Exiled rogue shapeshifter Kerr Vik once saw being transported to Gunngar as a fresh start. Until the one person he most regretted leaving behind—captivating witch Heather Moore—stumbles through the portal…and finds herself right in the middle of a witch hunt. Heather has courageously come to Gunngar to redeem herself. But Kerr knows that if she braves it alone…she will die. He must somehow send her back through the portal. And it’s not long before a collision of truth, love and duty complicates Kerr’s mission by forcing him to choose sides: should he save this forbidden love or protect his honor?

my thoughts: 

I always love Lori Devoti's books. I've been following her Unbound series from the beginning, and aside from liking her writing style, I like the originality of her whole world. It's not often that you find books on hellhounds. 

There's a connection between Kerr and Heather from the very beginning of Dark Crusade, and as with most stubborn couples it takes them a while to come to terms with it. It's that journey that makes this book such a fun and quick read. I'm already looking forward to getting started on The Hellhound King. 

On a personal note: I had to laugh that the main character's name is Heather Moore, since my first name is Heather and my boyfriend's last name is Moore. :)