Book review: Shmirshky

Ladies! You have to read the book Shmirshky, by E. And then you have to get your spouse, children, and anyone else who deals with Perimenopausal/Menopausal You to read it.

Warning: do not read this book on the bus. You will laugh out loud many times and risk looking odd.

First, some terms:

shmirshky – vagina; woman; female; babe

As opposed to

erlick – penis; man; male; dude.

So, this book is written by a shmirshky about her shmirshky, for other shmirshkies with shmirshkies. But it is also an excellent book for erlicks to learn about shmirshkies and their shmirshkies.

Confused? Allow me to translate.

This book is written by a woman, about her vagina, for other women with vaginas. But it is also an excellent book for men to learn about women and their vaginas.

Bottom line, it’s a survivors guide to perimenopause and menopause.

Shmirshky is brilliantly funny. And yet, really all E does is take common universal female truths and dare to write about them. Like this annoying female fact:

The only consistent thing about my period was that it always seemed to join my husband and me on our vacations (including our honeymoon!). Of course, everyone wants to take their period with them on vacation, right? … My husband, David, my period, and I have been to many fun places over the past thirty-two years.

Sound familiar, girls?

Yet, Shmirshky is also serious. In reference to our stoic female need to always be the care giver, hiding any need to be the care receiver:

Whole generations of shmirshkies are involved in this cover-up; everyone thinks they have to be “fine” … By the way, the next time a shmirshky you love says that she’s “fine”, ask her how she really feels.

I have read many books on perimenopause and menopause. Most very well written, but none of them just tell it like it is with quite the same boldness. Be it the good, the bad, or the outright bitchface.

All the information you need on symptoms, tests, and treatments is covered in this wonderful little book. But it’s all in layman, sorry layshmirshky terms, and wrapped in humour and love.

Love for ourselves, love for our shmirshkies, and yes, even love for our perimenopause and menopause, or PM&M as E shortens it to. After all, as E discovered:

We don’t go through PM&M, as I had originally thought, but rather, we are PM&M.

I am giving this book to my husband to read. Actually, what I said to him was “I am going to make you read this book.” He’s wonderfully supportive, but I think he’s a tad dazed and confused by what I am going through. This is a fun way for him to gain some insight.

Even if you have read copious amounts of information on perimenopause and menopause, I highly recommend this book, if only for the entertainment value!

I gained some new information, but what was truly wonderful was the feeling I walked away with. That I am not alone.

In her book, E truly promotes the Silver & Grace philosophy of community. It’s all about SoS ….

Sisterhood of Shmirshky – all the ladies near and far.

Important Information!

Copies of Shmirshky will be given away in a contest here at Silver & Grace on March 16.

Silver & Grace is thrilled to offer its own Sisterhood of Shmirshky a 20% discount on all copies purchased through E’s website. Please go to Shmirshky.com and put in promotional code: SILVERGRACE.

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