Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement Paperback – October 16, 2018

I read this striking book in one sitting in the back of my family minivan on the way from the SF Bay Area to Tahoe. In it, Nadya blends together her personal testimony and in-depth historical and scientific research in a conversational, yet informative, debut novel. She illustrates why the Menstrual Movement matters and shares a range of ways to get involved with it, from simply discussing periods in everyday conversation to chip away at taboos, to launching your own PERIOD chapter, to finding your own cause to start a movement around. This book details the place that periods hold in intersectional activism between socioeconomic, racial, and gendered lines - and in legislation, taxation, and criminal justice reform, and social entrepreneurship. Full disclaimer: I'm involved at a PERIOD chapter at my campus, so yes, there is some bias here, haha, because I already believe in the importance of destigmatizing, celebrating, and improving access to menstrual hygiene. This book definitely reaffirmed my joy in being part of this movement! But also, having been able to work with Nadya, I can say, beyond the testament of work ethic, passion, and self awareness that she demonstrates in this book -- she is all the more in real life :) One of the things I appreciate most about Nadya, that she writes about in this book, is that despite growing up a social media native in the generation of pretty "Instagrammable" pictures and witty captions, Nadya is more than willing to share her challenges, struggles, mistakes, and most of all, how she learns from all these things. This is only the beginning!

I LOVED this book. It is inspiring, informative and most of all so empowering. I feel even prouder to be a woman after reading it. It is so crucial to read, listen, observe and talk about all the issues Nadya Okamoto mentions in her book. No more period shame.More importantly, she sheds incredible light on period poverty. One of the most important parts in the book, in my opinion. Period products are SO expensive and not all women can afford it without worrying about the financial impact it will have on them. It is honestly not something I had given a lot of thought to before reading this book. And it is one the parts that made me determined to make a difference the most.I look a the world slightly differently after reading this and I think that is what every good book does to you. Just amazing.PS: give the book to your mom, grandma, best friend, boyfriend, husband, partner, friend who’s a boy etc...It is a book for everyone.

After sitting down and truly dissecting this book, I became even more proud to be a part of the menstrual movement. I will admit I was not only naive to the struggles homeless menstruators face, but to the menstrual cycle in general. As a second year college student, it was both empowering to have this knowledge at my fingertips, but frustrating to not have known half of the information in this book, despite countless health classes in middle & high school. Period Power is a must read for everyone, regardless of gender, race, or class. Not only is it educational, but it's eye opening in a way you wouldn't expect. PLUS, Nadya's anecdotes make this novel something anyone can learn from, and possibly even relate to- including non menstruators. My copy is full of questions, statements, and exclamation points... once you open your copy, I'm sure yours will look the same!

I pre-ordered this on a whim after hearing Ingrid Nilsen mention it and wow am I glad I did. I think this is a must read for everyone. And I do mean everyone. I learned so much and my eyes were opened to a lot of things I never knew about my body and to the experiences of others. It is not a challenging read and it is very engaging. It left me feeling empowered and motivated, and I can't wait to read it again to really soak in all the information. I might end up buying it again and gifting it to everyone I know because the more the knowledge is spread, the better off we all are. 10/10 would recommend.

I wish there had been a book like this when I was a teen.There are a lot of things we aren’t always told when we’re younger. When I was a teen, my mother was shy about explaining my period. I might have gotten mine later than most of my friends, but I remember being mystified and embarrassed about it. I also wish there hadn’t been such a stigma about getting ‘feminine protection”. This book does a lot to explain to people in plain speak what the heck menstruation is and why it’s not a bad thing. I also liked that the author encompasses those who menstruate–all of us that do.This book is geared toward the YA audience, but can be enjoyed by all ages, young adult and up. There are some sections that come across as a bit political, but if read with an open mind, it’s easy to see the author isn’t going the political route, bur rather the educational one.If there’s anything you’ve ever wanted to know about periods, then this is the book to get and give.originally posted at long and short reviews