The Girl's Guide to Guts

NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas and New York Times bestselling author Judy Batalion help you tackle the emotional and practical realities of bowel disease with candor, humor, and the kind of lived experience most medical experts can’t offer.

“Chloe Melas and Judy Batalion bring much-needed honesty and clarity to the conversation, connecting the dots between gut health and whole-body wellness.”—Dr. Mark Hyman, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Function Health

Bloating. Pain. Cramps. Gas. Food fear . . . Your doctor gives you medical advice. Your nutritionist suggests dietary changes. But who actually knows what you’re going through? Over 100 million women are living with IBS, IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other chronic gut issues, yet most are ashamed to share their stories.

In The Girl’s Guide to Guts, Chloe Melas and Judy Batalion, who together have more than fifty years of experience living with ulcerative colitis, are here loud and proud, writing with remarkable openness about everything from bleeding and bloating to sex and fertility, what to do after a diagnosis, the anxiety of living with a chronic illness, what to bring in your carry-on (and we’re not talking heels!), and the countless lattes purchased in exchange for use of a bathroom. They also interview experts in their field to give you the inside scoop on what your doctor is actually thinking.

Here, you’ll read about figuring out how to survive a first date when your stomach is gurgling, navigating colonoscopies and chronic pain while raising kids and working high-pressure jobs, and learning how to advocate for yourself with your doctors.

The Girl’s Guide to Guts takes the conversations many readers are already having and puts them center stage. Welcome to the bowel movement movement!

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs