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5 Minutes for Books: My Little Red Book

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Let me cut straight to the chase. My Little Red Book is an anthology featuring stories of first periods. If you are like me, that intrigues you and made you smile just thinking about it. If that grosses you out — well, come back next week because I promise the review won’t feature bodily functions.

So for those of you still with me. This is a delightful book! It made me remember that time in my life quite clearly even though I don’t have a clear memory of when my big day was (and it was over 25 years ago). The stories written by women around my age offered an extra shot of nostalgia (for example, the one who messed up her brand new OP swimsuit).

There are stories written by women who “started” as early as 1916 and as recently as this decade — as close as my home state and as far away as China. The essays from women of different generations and cultures and countries give a perspective so different from my own experience yet remind me of the common thread.

I wouldn’t recommend handing this book over to your tween to read, because some of the essays contain language or other themes that are a bit too mature. However, I have enjoyed sharing SOME of them with my 10-year-old daughter Amanda.

One of my favorites is “Hot Dog on a String” by Ellen Devine. Yes, it’s fairly explicit, but it was also funny, and I think it properly addressed the mysteries of the tampon that a young girl might have.

Amanda does NOT like to have conversations with me about these kinds of personal topics, but she did enjoy hearing the essays I read (even though she didn’t want to look at me or let me look at her while I was reading).

Like most girls who are expecting their first periods or who have recently become women, she’s curious, and this satisfied some of her curiosity. Instead of hearing, “Mom, I don’t want to talk about it!” she actually requested that I read her another one.

This book is sure to spark conversation or memories. I recommend it. This is great book for bedside (or yes — bathroom) reading, because the essays are short (as short as a paragraph or as long as a few pages) and to-the-point. Check out the fun website for more info about the incredible 18-year-old editor of this work, and to read even more stories.

We have five copies of My Little Red Book to give away. This contest is void where prohibited and subject to our terms and conditions.

Please leave a comment if you’d like to win. The winners will be announced in next week’s column.

The winners of The Laws of Harmony are

#124 Jeanine P
#5 Noreen
#121 Lily Kwan
#109 Ellie W.
#4 Carrie K.


This post was written by contributing editor Jennifer Donovan, who also blogs at Snapshot and is managing editor of 5 Minutes for Books.

Reader Interactions


101 Comments

  8. This sounds like a great book. Not only will it bring back memories, this book would be a great tool for younger girls that haven’t experienced it yet. Take away the unknown and make it less scary.

  19. Oh just in time! I’d love to get it, I’m expecting to experience the “talk” with my kid.

  36. Sounds like an interesting book that I could “maybe” share with my 18 year old daughter.

  44. This book sounds fabulous…I want to share it with my daughter some day as well as with my book club gals now! Sign me up!
    Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

  45. This is so timely for myself and my daughter. My daughter “Rachael” is preparing for her senior BFA art show at college. Her theme is women, menstraution and the role of women in society. She just became aware of this book and would love to have a copy. She hasn’t been able to find it in the bookstores. Thanks, Jill

  53. Great contest! Wanted to let you know I just posted about it on our blog. Thanks for sharing!

  64. Interesting – but great to have on hand for your daughter who may just be starting this. It’s nice to know you’re not alone!

  69. Your overview of the book definitely made me interested in reading this book (and it took me down my own memory lane!).

  70. Sounds like an interesting book. I would love to win a copy.

    accoupons at gmail dot com

  73. Sounds like a fun book. I unfortunately remember mine it was on my thirteenth birthday at my pool party.

  75. I would love to win a copy. My almost 14 and 12 yod have not yet started their “monthly friend”.
    Using this as a read aloud…pick’n’choose essays sounds like a great idea to have a starter conversation with the girls. Starter convo meaning…starting the convo for that moment as we discuss these things on a fairly reg basis…they do not like these convos. :0

  77. Hmmm….I’m intrigued. I have a daughter who just turned 12 who is an avid reader; I could see this being a good conversation starter between us. I’d love to win a copy.

  78. I’ve had my eye on this book when it was listed on Powells.com. Would love to win this!!

  88. I love the concept of this book, and I remember my story well. My 10-year would find it all very interesting!

  94. My almost-10 year-old is getting very close to ‘her time.’ I like to keep getting her period a positive event. For her older sister (my step-daughter), we even had a cake to celebrate. But even though we’re open about it, it is still a big mystery that is simultaneously exciting and scary. This book sound fascinating. I’d love to be able to share other women’s stories with her.

  95. My goodness, this looks like such a neat book! My daughter will be 12 next month and so we have been having the “talks” and she loves the funny parts about it like how we would give it a “code name”!! LOL! she has deemed hers “the enemy!” LOL! instead of your “friend!” I would love to win this book!

  96. Wow – that sounds like a great book! I remember my first, and that no-one wanted to talk about it when I was young. I’ll definitely have to check it out!

  98. oh the joys of being a girl into a woman..I would love to win a book..:) I hope I do 🙂