Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | 
30 book recommendations in 30 days...
Day 25: As a person who decided by the age of 25 to get my tubes tied and not be a parent, I have heard the choice referenced as all of the things in this title, when in fact it is anything but as it allows me to give more of myself to my students. I didn't connect with all the perspectives in this, but they were all valuable and I think it should be required reading for everyone. #30recsin30days
pickFinished this one and really enjoyed it. Good to read from people who chose not to have children for a variety of reasons. I found a few portions of essays pretentious so I gave it 4⭐️
pick🎧 So I loved the introduction, it was an awesome summarization. Someone here turned me on to this book, I hope you know who you are. Thank you!
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view from people who chose not to have children. So many honest, funny and true opinions and stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️5/6
pickThis anthology shares 13 women‘s and 3 men‘s experiences of being childfree, and how those people fill any desires they have to nurture. There are doting aunts and uncles, committed teachers, abortions, miscarriages, people who never found the right partner, and people who always knew. There were two stories, one from a historical perspective and one personal, that I connected with most. Highly recommend this #audiobook!! 4.5⭐️
Finally decided what I want to read after several false starts. Thanks for putting this on my radar @NatalieR
#childfreebychoice
pick16 writers share openly about their intentional decision to be child-free. The authors are predominantly women, which is fine with me; I obviously found them more relatable. IMHO, this topic is still not widely discussed so I appreciate learning about the experiences of others. #MountTBR
pickTrying to look my self as in the mirror.....😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
pickA really interesting collection of essays on choosing to be childless. It must be noted that all the writers were much older than me and are professional writers. I did think that there was a gender divide in the views on family life, with men saying things that women never could.
I live within walking distance of the park, the library, and the train. Who says you can‘t go far on two feet?
Absolutely beautiful weather today.
#LitsyWalkers
It was finally nice out today, so I went for two walks during AM & PM break at work. I‘m #audioreading the tagged book, and some of the essays rub me wrong. Lionel Shriver‘s has me questioning what I heard as seriously problematic, in fact. Will have to go back and relisten.
#LitsyWalkers
Thank you @Mitch for organising this retreat. And thank you @scripturient for convincing me to treat myself to this.
I have booked a twin room. If anyone is still thinking about joining us, let me know whether you'd like to share the room and costs. 😉
pickAs a 30-something woman who has chosen not to have children for the simple reason of "I don't want to", I struggle with the judgement and responses I get from others. So I needed this book to mean something. And it did. I didn't find one story which exactly reflected my thoughts and experiences, but I found I connected with so many of the authors on different points. It won't be for everyone, but it gave me what I needed.
Of all the books I picked up at the sale, this might be the one I‘m most excited about. I don‘t think at any point in my life I ever wanted kids, and I don‘t often get to hear from people who share my point of view.
pickFinished 4/4/17 - A must-read for anyone deciding whether or not to have kids. It validated a lot of the thoughts I‘ve had over the years in a matter-of-fact, non-judgmental, and unbiased way. I never felt like the authors were imploring me to have kids or not. Very well-balanced and informative.
pickJust finished my second book of the @24in48 #24in48 Readathon. I very much enjoyed this anthology of essays #readharder. The writers were so honest and opened themselves up to the reader, it was kind of humbling. As a woman who‘s made the choice to not have children this collection has given me a lot of food for thought. It‘s inspired me to try and write my own essay on my own decision, and reflect on how it will impact my future. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hour 12 Challenge...first lines! I‘m super pumped about Meghan Daum‘s book #selfishshallowandselfabsorbed. As my fiancé and I have made the decision to not have kids. We‘re often met with disbelief, and patronizing words like “oh you just wait, you‘ll change your mind”. I can‘t wait to read what others feel about this controversial subject. ? @24in48 #24in48 #readathon
The only book on my shelves that has 16 in it. 16 writers! This was a great essay collection, that I truly appreciated! #NovemberByTheNumbers Just found out this post will also work for #NoteworthyNovember !
Some of my library books that highlight #diversity in different ways, including life choices. Okay, that last one and tagged book might be stretching it a bit, but occasionally I need reassurance that I'm not the only married woman who doesn't want children. In the grand scheme of things, that's not a difficult path to walk down, but it does get lonely.
#anditsaugust @RealLifeReading
#20factsaboutme
♡ 25 years
♡ 2 children under 5
♡ pharmacy technician
♡ I have extremely thick hair
♡ favorite animals are pigs 🐷
♡ Favorite color is red
♡ nail biter 😕
♡ astrological sign is taurus 🐂
♡ I am a happy loner
♡ Cat Person
♡ have been using computers since I was 2 years old
♡ heinz-57 genes
♡ very nerdy
♡ read to escape my surroundings
♡ self-conscious
♡ hum constantly
♡ old soul
♡ xbox gamer
♡ played the violin
♡ rode dirtbikes
Day 2 of #riotgrams is yellow covers! I love yellow books but don't have nearly enough of them :) #bookriot #yellowbooks
Today's #bookmail. Think I was in a mood when I ordered these. 🤔
pickThis essay collection was very thought provoking. It brought a lot of things to light that I never thought of. I'm currently undecided on if I want to have kids or not. My fiancé right now doesn't want kids, so reading this book gave me an idea on how it is to grow old without children. I'm going to be doing a lot of self reflecting.
This paragraph is so relevant to last November, except this time we lost. I typically don't talk politics as I'm not comfortable doing so, but this essay by Pam Houston really hits home.
Day 2 of #Riotgrams I do most of my reading during the week in my office, but on the weekends I read in bed or on my couch! I read wherever I can! (sorry my desk is so messy!)
Watching my fiancé play flag football tonight, which actually means me sitting upstairs reading for an hour while he plays. ??I've had babies on the brain lately and am hoping this book will delay the baby fever. I'm not even married yet, no babies allowed! ?
"Refusing to act against your sound inclination is a profound ACTION, not simply a reaction to something external. And to claim the benefits that come from advocating for the person you truly are as opposed to the one you think you're supposed to be, you must face your own reality no matter how it feels or what its implications may be. "
"Things may be marginally different now, but, even if there is something she wants more than children, that is no reason for a woman to remain childless. Any normal woman, it is understood, wants--and should want--both. "
Been thinking about reading this for awhile now. Let's do it.
Yep - just us and our selfish, "easy", child-free life.
Love how this book really explores how different seemingly similar situations actually are.
pickone of my favorite #longtitle reads for both #booktober & #recommendsday.
this is a great collection of essays on the decision not to have kids - it's a necessary read for those who are tired of people commenting that they will "want them someday" & "but who will take care of you when you are old," though I also think those who have/want children can equally gain some new insight and perspective from this book as well ?
Text on covers. The "hidden" text on the cover of Subliminal makes me chuckle.
#booktober #textoncovers
pickI really could have used this book 20 years ago. Some of the essays were a little maddening, but I think that's really a bonus. We would all be better off if we learned about other points of view.
Holy cow, Pam Houston's whole essay. So much of it is what I feel, except better written than what I could ever do.
"...most of the time I just want people to realize that they're not only breaching my privacy but also putting their flawed assumptions directly in my lap. As bothered as I am by having to defend my decision, I'm more incensed that people think they have the right to ask." Yes!!!
pickShedding a light on the kid free life
Really wonderful read
There are so many quotes I relate to in this book. This is just one good one.
Finally starting this. A book written by my people!
