cover image Shmirshky: The Pursuit of Hormone Happiness

Shmirshky: The Pursuit of Hormone Happiness

E, Hyperion/Voice, $22.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-4013-4168-8

Penned with her son, Jack Dolgen, the authors arrive with an entertaining and informative account of the surprises that await the woman reaching menopause. While many writers approach the topic with reservations, or don't approach it at all, E uses word creation, substitutions, and abbreviations to add a fun factor to the sticky, often embarrassing terms. Not only does E keep the book free of filler but she also includes the practical information about menopause that many women will want to know, including instances of depression and sleeplessness, and practical advice on the importance of getting a thyroid checkup and hormone level testing. Pocked with footnotes, charts, a mini dictionary, and further reading advice, E approaches her subject like the enthusiastic leader of a self-help seminar. And anecdotes sharing the disparate menopausal experiences of E's friends and acquaintances add to the book's charm. E tackles her topic with grace, humor, and a youthful but knowledgeable attitude. By intertwining guidance and jest, she's created an unexpected page-turner. (Feb.)