What I'm Reading: Andrew Carnegie Medal Edition

One of the best things about being on the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction selection committee is that we have complete autonomy to nominate any title for consideration. We do not accept unsolicited works.

The result of this autonomy means that some of the titles we end up placing on the long list had not been reviewed in Booklist previously. This year there were only a handful, but one of them was Vagina Obscura by Rachel E. Gross. As a contracted reviewer for Booklist, and one of the biggest supporters of this title in our deliberations, I was nominated to write the review so that it could be ready and posted before the long list announcement. 

Below is that review-- a star of course-- with further appeal info.

Please check out the entire 2023 ACM long list here. This link has review access for every title.

STAR REVIEW

Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage
by Rachel E. Gross

2022. 336p. Norton, $30 (9781324006312). 618.1. 
First published October 10, 2022 (Booklist Online).

After being prescribed rat poison for a persistent yeast infection, award-winning science journalist Gross began researching the history of what medicine refers to as “the female reproductive system.” Quickly realizing that this terminology was insufficient, she set out to define more accurately what it means to be a woman. Across eight topical chapters (“Desire,” “Protection,” “Power,” “Beauty”), each focusing on a specific part of the female sexual anatomy, this volume expertly balances authoritative sources, history, and scientific data with frank, colloquial, and honest discussions of vaginas by medical professionals, scientists, and women from all walks of life, including trans women. Gross presents discussions of the clitoris, vaginal microbiome, and neovagina as stories, first introducing a medical professional and a character for the reader to follow on that chapter’s journey, then crafting a compelling narrative about the anatomy in question, all grounded in medical history, those who studied it, and what has been left out of scientific knowledge. Without its provocative title, this long-overdue book would probably get lost, sent to the margins like so many other books about women’s bodies, like women themselves have been marginalized throughout human history. The crucial importance of this book is further underscored in the aftermath of the reversal of Roe v. Wade, with women’s right to have autonomy over their bodies in question. A stellar example of why effective scientific communication not only makes for an enjoyable read, but why it can also be vitally important to society as a whole.

Further Appeal: This book came out back in March. It was among the first nonfiction books our committee read, and a majority of us loved it. It stayed with us month to month, near the top of our consideration list for the Andrew Carlene Medal [ACM] long list, and then the Dobbs ruling came, and then, trans rights were being actively legislated away, and then....well, this book became even more important.

It is worthy of praise and consideration for a major literary prize because it both explains why women and their "parts" have been marginalized while simultaneously filling in the gaps in knowledge with fact.

Look, I know the title seems gimmicky, but I assure you, the book is not. The title is exactly perfect because it encapsulates what Gross is trying to do. Now that this book has made the ACM long list, I know I will not have to urge you to order it. In fact, two days after our announcement, I know many of you have it in a cart right now. I know this because when I ordered for an adult leisure collection, I added every ACM long list title we did not have to a cart the day of the announcement as well. 

But don't just order this book, highlight it, promote it [look at that gorgeous cover], and make sure it gets into the hands of readers. 

Three Words That Describe This Book: authoritative but colloquial, inclusive, science communication