Ask Me About My Uterus by Abby Norman

I’ve read a few of these medical memoir/survival story/gyno pain narratives. It’s a weird thing to say you enjoy, but I do. It’s a really interesting and informative topic to read in, and I have so much respect for people who tell these stories.

In this book, the sympathy you’ll have for Abby as she recounts her story is unreal. Sometimes you might even need to take a beat to sit with it all, as it gets very intense. She’s had a tough time and it’s a very personal book. Yes, there’s interesting medical stuff here, discourse on societal structures etc too, but Abby also let’s you get very intimate with her own experiences.

Abby writes in an intelligent and inclusive way about tough topics. It’s hard not to love her for that, or at least admire her resilience.

I love to understand medical issues, and respect people for breaking down taboos. I also think this is great for helping understand chronic illness better.

I like the measured tone of this book that doesn’t sensationalise or exaggerate. A very clearheaded look at things, which is a triumph in and of itself. I like the fact that she doesn’t shy away from the tragic and the fact that sometimes there’s no easy answers.