A collection of real-life experiences of the menopause by real women (and a few men!). Funny, sad, tender and honest. Aimed at shattering the taboo that still surrounds the menopause and getting us all talking about something that half the population will go through and many of the other half will experience second-hand.

"The Panza Monologues script also features stories contributed by Barbara Renaud Gonzalez, Petra A. Mata, and Maria R. Salazar."

'piercingly honest... witty... wonderful' - The Observer 'My favourite way to learn is when a funny, clever, honest person is teaching me – that's why I love Rosie Wilby!' - Sara Pascoe 'Funny, sweet, entertaining, insightful, life-affirming...' – Viv Groskop 'Hilarious, honest and brilliant' – Helen Thorn 'Rosie Wilby unearths the hope and hilarity that can come from heartbreak' – Abigail Tarttelin ____ In 2011, comedian and podcaster Rosie Wilby was dumped by email... though she did feel a little better about it after correcting her ex's spelling and punctuation. Obsessing about breakups ever since, she embarked on a quest to investigate, understand and conquer the psychology of heartbreak. This book is a love letter to her breakups, a celebration of what they have taught her peppered with anecdotes from illustrious friends and interviews with relationship therapists, scientists and sociologists about separating in the modern age of ghosting, breadcrumbing and conscious uncoupling. Mixing humour, memoir and science, she attempts to assimilate their advice and ideas in order to not break up with Girlfriend, her partner of nearly three years. Will this self-confessed serial monogamist, and breakup addict, finally settle down?

This is a diverse and exciting new collection of modern and historical pieces for young performers, aged 7 to 17 years. A selection of speeches designed to empower and authenticate young girls, teenagers, and individuals who identify as female, as well as numerous gender-fluid roles. The monologues are suitable for acting examinations, competitions, and auditions – or any situation where a solo scene is required from a published book of monologues. For those learners who study LAMDA examinations, the collection provides options for the learner’s ‘own choice’ category from grades Entry – Grade 5. Vitally, the themes are fresh and relevant to young people in a modern world; giving learners wider opportunities to explore, learn, and grow as actors, inspired by new and original writing, which is fun, challenging, and meaningful to perform.

This is the fourth anthology in a four-volume set of dramatic monologues exploring the Mother/Daughter experience. Each volume reflects a different stage of a woman's life: "Urgent Maturity" reveals the anger, wisdom and transformation of later life. This anthology features the work of playwrights Agnes Szmidel, Barbara H. Macchia, Barrie Cole, Carol Samson, Cass Erickson, Cassie Rush, Claire Braz-Valentine, Ed Friedman, Faye Sholiton, Giovanni Affinito, Jan Watts, Jere Pfister, Karen Jeynes, Karen Kinch , Katherine H. Burkman, Laura Shamas, Lia Romeo, Ludmilla Bollow, Marj O'Neill-Butler, Martha Patterson, Mary Millner McCullough, Monica Raymond, Nancy Gall-Clayton, Nina Solomita, Paddy Gillard-Bentley, Patricia Milton, Patricia Montley, Roberta D'Alois, Sandra Dempsey, Sandra Ostrander, and Terri L. Atkins Febuary. Foreword by Margaret McSeveney.

This book examines the representation of the female fertility cycle in contemporary Algerian, Mauritian, and French women’s writing. It focuses on menstruation, childbirth, and the menopause whilst also incorporating experiences such as miscarriage and abortion. This study frames its analysis of contemporary women’s writing by looking back to the pioneering work of the second-wave feminists. Second-wave feminist texts were the first to break the silence on key aspects of female experience which had thus far been largely overlooked or considered taboo. Second-wave feminist works have been criticised for applying their ‘universal’ theories to all women, regardless of their ethnicity, socio-economic status, or sexuality. This book argues that contemporary women’s writing has continued the challenge against normative perceptions of the body that was originally launched by the second-wave feminists, whilst also taking a more nuanced, contextual and intersectional approach to corporeal experience. The cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach of this book is informed not only by critics of the second-wave feminist movement but also by sociological studies which consider how women’s bodily experiences are shaped by socio-cultural context.

Alan is trying hard to make sense of his world since his wife left him for Chuck in Morewilling and the local Co-op closed down. 21st century technology is eating into his wallet and his soul, and the price of a night out doesn’t leave change from a tenner anymore. But he is sure about three things: No one in Lesswilling needs a bidet or a hot tub. There’s no place for preserved lemons on British supermarket shelves. His mother was right about hindsight – it is a “wonderful thing to meet your own arse coming back.”

'Utterly fascinating. I have long felt that books can be medicine. Now I understand why. Read this book. Feel better.' Beth Kempton, bestselling author of Wabi Sabi: Japanese wisdom for a perfectly imperfect life 'One of the most fascinating books that I have read in years! Beautifully written and full of insights, this book demonstrates the healing power of stories and how you can transform your life through bibliotherapy.' Simon Alexander Ong, bestselling author of Energize, international keynote speaker and award-winning coach. In this unique and transformational guide to healing, bibliotherapist and counsellor Bijal Shah explores the restorative power of reading. Bibliotherapy traces the history of how therapeutic reading evolved - including the important role played by the best writers such as the Stoics, Montaigne, Eliot and Wordsworth. In doing so, Bijal offers first-hand stories from clients who have found solace in great works of literature when struggling with grief, relationships or illness. Full of practical advice and insights into how bibliotherapy really works, Bijal offers an A to Z reading list of books for every mood and need. A much-needed reminder of how comforting and life-changing reading can be, Bibliotherapy is a sumptuous celebration of books that will invite you to see them as more than just an escape, but a legitimate form of self-care.

This book explores translation of feminism in China through examining several Chinese translations of two typical feminist works: The Second Sex (TSS, Beauvoir 1949/1952) and The Vagina Monologues (TVM, Ensler 1998). TSS exposes the cultural construction of woman while TVM reveals the pervasiveness of sexual oppression toward women. The female body and female sexuality (including lesbian sexuality) constitute a challenge to the Chinese translators due to cultural differences and sexuality still being a sensitive topic in China. This book investigates from gender and feminist perspectives, how TSS and TVM have been translated and received in China, with special attention to how the translators meet the challenges. Since translation is the gateway to the reception of feminism, an examination of the translations should reveal the response to feminism of the translator as the first reader and gatekeeper, and how feminism is translated both ideologically and technically in China. The translators’ decisions are discussed within the social, historical, and political contexts. Translating Feminism in China discusses, among other issues: Feminist Translation: Practice, Theory, and Studies Translating the Female Body and Sexuality Translating Lesbianism Censorship, Sexuality, and Translation This book will be relevant to postgraduate students and researchers of translation studies. It will also interest academics interested in feminism, gender studies and Chinese literature and culture. Zhongli Yu is Assistant Professor of Translation Studies at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC).