An Evening with Jordi Hertz and Shauna Cagan

We wrote a book about menopause and aging, which means we had questions. You probably do, too. We’ll talk menopause, aging, all the things no one warned us about, and then hand the mic to you.

• Each ticket will include either a paperback copy of Why Didn't You Bitches Tell Me? or a $10 Gift Card to River Bend Bookshop.
• Additional copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
• An audience Q&A and signing will follow the talk.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for accessibility inquiries, please reach out to [email protected]

Ticket holders who purchased a book with ticket bundle and are unable to attend the event will be able to pick up their book at River Bend Bookshop West Hartford up to 30 days following the event.

A funny, honest, and deeply validating guide to menopause, aging, and the strange realization that nobody prepared us for any of this
One day you’re a functioning adult human and the next you’re sweating through your sheets, sprouting chin hairs, and rage-crying in random places. Spoiler: turns out this is all completely “normal.” Enter Why Didn’t You Bitches Tell Me?, a heartfelt and unapologetically honest guide for women in midlife, offering solidarity through frank testimonials, eye-opening anecdotes, and cheeky illustrations aimed to build community and destigmatize the experience of being in an aging female body.
Addressing the millions of women that stumble through this hormonal obstacle course armed with only misinformation and shame, Jordanna Hertz and Shauna Cagan tackle everything from hot flashes, HRT, and bone health to Botox, sex, and the lonely experience of becoming culturally irrelevant. Blending expert insight, candid stories from real women, practical advice, and cultural commentary, Why Didn’t You Bitches Tell Me? validates the experiences countless women live through but seldom see openly discussed.
Why Didn’t You Bitches Tell Me? is the book we wish someone had handed us much earlier.

Jordanna Hertz is an award winning creative director, designer, illustrator, and writer dedicated to the craft of visual storytelling. She has worked for Time, Ms., the New York Times Company Magazine Group, and nonprofit organizations serving higher education and K–12 schools, creating everything from magazines and websites, campaigns, and brand identities.

Jordi teamed up with friend and collaborator, Shauna Cagan, to turn their ongoing rants into Why Didn't You Bitches Tell Me? Writing the book gave them another excuse to spend time together while creating the irreverent, honest guide they wished someone had given them years earlier.

Jordi lives in Connecticut with her husband and is the proud mother of three amazing humans. She finds joy in being outside, listening to music, moving her body, gathering people around the table, defending democracy, and laughing as much as possible.

Shauna Cagan is a writer, illustrator, and art teacher who has spent more than 20 years helping people tell stories. After a long career developing creative campaigns for companies, nonprofits, universities, and mission-driven organizations, she now spends her days making books, teaching art, and looking for inspiration in weird and wild places—usually somewhere muddy. Her debut picture book, Addie and the Amazing Acrobats, was published in 2023, and she's currently at work on books for both children and adults. Shauna lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, with her husband and their two mostly feral, frequently shirtless boys, who are responsible for at least half of her best ideas.

Event venue

River Bend Bookshop - WH, 224 Park Road, West Hartford, United States

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