Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
You're the Only One I've Told
You're the Only One I've Told: The Stories Behind Abortion | Meera Shah
12 posts | 8 read | 19 to read
For a long time, when people asked Dr. Meera Shah what she did, she would tell them she was a doctor and leave it at that. But over the last few years, Shah decided it was time to be direct. &I'm an abortion provider,& she will now say. And an interesting thing started to happen each time she met someone new. One by one, people would confideat BBQs, at jury duty, in the middle of the greeting card aisle at Target that in fact they'd had an abortion themselves. And the refrain was often the same: You're the only one I've told. This book collects those stories as they've been told to Shah to humanize abortion and to combat myths that persist in the discourse that surrounds it. An intentionally wide range of ages, races, socioeconomic factors and experiences, shows that abortion does not happen in a vacuumit always occurs in a unique context. Today, abortion has become a core political litmus test for party loyalty. A healthcare issue that's so precious and foundational to reproductive, social, and economic freedom for millions of people is exploited by politicians who lack understanding or compassion about the context in which abortion occurs. Stories have power to break down stigmas and help us to empathize with those whose experiences are unlike our own. They can also help us find community and a shared sense of camaraderie over experiences just like ours. You're the Only One I've Told will do both.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Amiable
post image

And now my 2023 nonfiction reading bracket. February‘s pick is a poignant narrative of abortion stories collected by a physician at Planned Parenthood in NY and IN. It‘s an important read, but it‘s going to be difficult for any book to top January‘s pick: “All the Young Men.” That one may well be this year‘s runaway favorite.

review
Amiable
post image
Pickpick

A collection of personal stories shared with Dr. Meera Shah, a family physician and abortion provider in New York and Indiana. The narratives show the wide range of experiences surrounding healthcare and reproduction and demonstrate vividly why abortion is not a one-size-fits-all issue.

#Nonfiction2023
Prompt: “Just A Girl”

review
Soubhiville
post image
Pickpick

I appreciated the long intro by Dr Shah, which gave tons of info about abortion care and her personal story.

Many points of view are included in these accounts of abortion experiences, including one from a father, some from care providers, and volunteers who help people safely get care they need.

If more hear these stories, maybe we can build the compassion to fix what‘s broken in this country.

(Pub in 2020, a bit out of date)

68 likes4 stack adds
review
Cinfhen
post image
Pickpick

Unfortunately there is so much negative stigma around abortion and those who chose to undergo the procedure that most never share or speak of the experience. Dr. Meera Shah, a physician who provides female healthcare including performing abortions shares personal stories from women and men who have gone through the process. The stories are often difficult as many are facing terrible medical situations. This book sheds light on the importance👇🏼

Cinfhen of self autonomy - making it CLEAR that the right to have an abortion is 💯 a woman‘s right and no government, family member or religious belief should be in the equation. I‘ve always been pro-choice but this book strengthened my belief.
2y
See All 18 Comments
Librarybelle Once again, such beautiful flowers! I love seeing your bouquets! ❤️ 2y
KarenUK This sounds excellent…. I think I might steal this idea for the #booked2023 prompt…. Stacked! 2y
sarahbarnes Amazing review. ♥️♥️ This sounds like an incredible book. 2y
BarbaraBB Well said. Totally agree! And it works good for the various prompts! 2y
LaraReads This looks very good! 2y
Cinfhen The level of shame and judgment these individuals face is heartbreaking @KarenUK @sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB @LaraReads even from within the medical community was really appalling- im not sure how we are still having this discussion in 2023!!!! 2y
Cinfhen Thanks @Librarybelle I love antique roses but their shelf life is too short 😣 2y
sarahbarnes Seriously how is it possible?!! 😔 2y
dabbe @Cinfhen Well said! 👏❣️🙌 2y
Deblovestoread 💯! Once abortion became a political tool for the right everything changed. Stacked. 2y
Megabooks Great review Cindy!! #stacked!! 👍🏻👍🏻 2y
Cinfhen @dabbe @Deblovestoread @Megabooks I appreciate that the author chose to focus on the woman‘s stories and leave politics mostly out of the discussion. She made the book about protecting the rights of women and not about calling out the right or left. 2y
marleed Oh stacked! 2y
Hooked_on_books This was such a good book. It‘s so important for abortion stories to be told to take back the narrative from those who want it to be something other than it is. For every abortion, there‘s a slightly different story, I truly believe. 2y
85 likes8 stack adds18 comments
review
Eggbeater
post image
Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I know it's controversial, but this is quite an impactful book to be in the middle of reading during the Supreme Court decision in the U.S. These stories are an illuminating peak into people's private lives that is often heartbreaking and humanizing. I recommend this book for education and compassion. It is inclusive and diverse. I learned a lot.

2nd book read for #20in4 #Readathon

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
steph_phanie
post image
Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The collection of experiences in this book are so moving and so maddening to read. The hoops people have to jump through, the lies and abuse they endure, and the misconceptions and deception that exist around abortion are insane. The Catholic Church's takeover of hospitals and thus its interference in truly ethical care is horrifying.

After reading this, I have many questions for my mom – a Catholic-raised OB/GYN who is firmly pro-choice.

steph_phanie I would have given it 5⭐ but it needs some editing, which sadly detracts from the importance of the book. 3y
5 likes1 comment
blurb
steph_phanie
post image

The first story, about a woman from Austin, includes much about the fight over abortion in TX. This book was published in 2020. Reading it now is tough. The author recounts the battles in TX, but remains hopeful for the future...I wonder what she would have to say now.

The introduction was filled with great information, science, and history surrounding abortion and sexual reproduction justice. Quite eye-opening, angering, and moving so far.

blurb
steph_phanie
post image

I woke up before my alarm today, and decided to meet the morning head on rather than try to return to sleep.

I hadn't planned to start another book until I caught up on some of my other commitments, but while slipping on my sweats and house shoes, I decided it was high time to pull this out of my TBR stack.

#goodmorning #newread #socialscience #healthcare #abortion

review
Hooked_on_books
post image
Pickpick

At a time when reproductive rights are under assault more than ever, it‘s so important for personal stories of abortion to be told. Doing so humanizes abortion and shows it to be what it is: medical care sought for a myriad of reasons. Shah makes a point of sharing diverse stories in this book and she knows what she‘s talking about, as she provides abortion care. This is really well done.

39 likes3 stack adds
blurb
steph_phanie
post image

Wayyy behind on my TBR pile, but I ordered new books anyway! 😆😇📚 #canthelpmyself #bookmail #tbr

Particularly looking forward to the tagged book!

review
JenniferEgnor
post image
Pickpick

How do you bust stigma? By having these conversations. In this book, the author is a provider and talks about her experiences. In each story shared, she expands by talking about all of the barriers and the harm that they cause. Some of these stories are heartbreaking. They are all deeply personal and moving. Everyone knows and loves someone who has had an abortion. Please, have the conversation. Protect this right.

6 likes1 stack add
blurb
JenniferEgnor
post image

Diving into this book. 32 pages in, and loving it. These conversations are so important to have. As a clinic escort, I learn something new each time, gain more compassion and empathy. I love what I do!

#abortionisnormal