Women’s health has long been misunderstood, overlooked, and underrepresented in both medicine and literature. In this blog post, we highlight powerful books that delve into the complexities of women’s bodies—from the historical treatment of female anatomy to in-depth explorations of endometriosis, menopause, and more. These essential reads shed light on the challenges and triumphs that shape women’s health today.
Must Read Women’s Non-Fiction
Immaculate Forms: Uncovering the History of Women’s Bodies
9781788163880 | Wellcome Collection | BPB
Helen King
A playful examination of how science’s silliest research leads to crucial breakthroughs and enduring insights.
Why would anyone research how elephants pee? Or study worms who tie themselves into a communal knot? Or quantify the squishability of a cockroach?
Carly Anne York shows how unappreciated, overlooked and simply curiosity-driven science has led to breakthroughs big and small. Got wind power? You might have humpback whales to thank. Know anything about particle physics? Turns out there is a ferret close to the heart of it all. And if you want to keep salmon around, be thankful for that cannon! The research itself can seem bizarre, but it drives our economy. York invites us to appreciate the often-unpredictable journey of scientific exploration, highlighting that the heart of science lies in the relentless pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Emphasizing the hard work of the people behind the discoveries, this is an accessible, story-driven book that shows how important and exciting it is to simply let curiosity run wild.
Endometriosis: Understand your symptoms, get the right treatment, reclaim your life
9781399424486 | Green Tree | TPB
Jen Moore
Have you struggled to get diagnosed, be believed or get the right treatment for endometriosis? This book is for you.
We still don’t know what causes endometriosis, and we don’t know how to cure it either. What we do know is that it can cause debilitating pain and seriously affect mental health. Endometriosis is not ‘just a bad period’; it is a whole-body disease which is as common as asthma or diabetes, affecting 1 in 10 women. Yet it is barely covered in medical school, leaving sufferers repeatedly dismissed when trying to access care.
Backed with up-to-date scientific knowledge and interviews with endometriosis specialists and those affected by the condition, Jen Moore gives you all the tools you need to:
– Understand what endometriosis is (and what it is not)
– Deal with the system and get a diagnosis
– Navigate the ins and outs of surgery
– Cope with physical and mental pain
– Fight for better endometriosis care
This beacon of hope is your go-to guide to endometriosis, getting the care you deserve and finally feeling seen and heard.
The Most Overwhelmed Women of the Bible: How Their Stories Help Us Find Peace
9781510782273 | Regnery Faith | BPB
Mary E Demuth
Many of us feel overwhelmed by daily life.
With the onset of social media, we not only worry about myriad tasks, but we feel bad if we don’t measure up to everyone else’s highlight reels. We lack Sabbath, and we push away rest–even though we desperately need it. And yet, the Bible is replete with women just like us–women who felt the weight of overwhelming schedules and circumstances. In their stories, you will not only learn more about the women of the Bible, but you’ll begin to unpack ways to find true rest and peace.
How about you? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the tasks and circumstances of your life? Do you wake up every day feeling unmotivated or stressed out? You are not alone. Not only have others around you experienced the same things, but many women in the Bible have too. We all have asked questions like:
– Why do some people seem to be able to balance everything?
– What would a peaceful, restful life look like for me?
– How can I find God in the midst of my busy life?
This feeling of overwhelm plagues us all, but we don’t need to stay there. Through the raw and real stories of ten biblical women who also felt overwhelmed, you can unearth new ways to find rest in a world that applauds hurry.
The Most Overwhelmed Women of the Bible will help you find true rest, shake hands with who you are and where you are, and empower you to find hope in the midst of life’s chaos.
Food for Menopause: Recipes and nutritional advice for perimenopause, menopause and beyond
9781761500305 | Murdoch Books | TPB
Dr Linia Patel
Food for Menopause by Dr Linia Patel is packed with 80 super tasty, appealing recipes – perfect for busy lives.
You might already know a bit about menopause symptoms or you might believe it’s something to think about some time in the future. But studies show that there’s lots you can do from your thirties to make your menopausal years easier.
Dr Linia Patel’s friendly, authoritative cookbook explains how to make your menopause work for you by setting out the impact of nutrition on the body. It’s about mastering your mid-life body by knowing exactly what to put on your plate. For example, why do you get brain fog, hot flushes or mood swings, which nutrients should you be getting more of to combat these, and what recipes can you make to pack in more of those nutrients? There’s so much you can factor into your diet to see you through perimenopause, menopause and beyond and crucially to enable you to THRIVE, not just survive.
Part 1: Understanding your body and your symptoms
Part 2: Eating for success
Part 3: Living for success
Part 4: Recipes for success – breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, weekend meals, sides and extras, sweet treats and drinks
