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Reviews
Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids by Meghan Daum
ashpanda88's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who also chooses to remain childless, I found it interesting to hear the many unique reasons why people have made the same choice as me and their experiences in making such a decision (reactions from family members, co-workers etc...) I appreciated the honesty of each essay. However, I wish there had been a larger variety of age groups and cultures represented amongst the writers chosen for this collection.
Specific to the audio book: I found the narrators to be hard to follow at times because there was only one male and one female narrator and they used similar voices for each person. It was hard to tell where one essay ended and another began. I may have enjoyed this book more if I had read it in physical format.
Specific to the audio book: I found the narrators to be hard to follow at times because there was only one male and one female narrator and they used similar voices for each person. It was hard to tell where one essay ended and another began. I may have enjoyed this book more if I had read it in physical format.
audryt's review against another edition
The title of this book isn't quite accurate, as some of the included authors did not directly decide to not have kids, but ended up not having them due to myriad circumstances. Regardless, everyone included has a different perspective on not having children; their lives and experiences matter, as do their feelings regarding parenthood and pregnancy.
We live in a world that dismisses anyone who does not breed -- the problem with that is that it implies that parenthood should precisely that: merely breeding for the survival and expansion of the human species. It dehumanizes everyone, both parents and non-parents. There be should no pressure at all to have children; many people still would out of genuine desire to nurture and raise their babies. But the rest would be able to live the lives that are right for them, instead of existing in a state of constant and relentless abuse -- because trying to coerce someone into being something they aren't or something they shouldn't is always a form of abuse.
Listen to the stories being told here and everywhere else. You do not ever have the right to control another person's body or dictate what they do with their life, no matter what self-serving excuse you use.
We live in a world that dismisses anyone who does not breed -- the problem with that is that it implies that parenthood should precisely that: merely breeding for the survival and expansion of the human species. It dehumanizes everyone, both parents and non-parents. There be should no pressure at all to have children; many people still would out of genuine desire to nurture and raise their babies. But the rest would be able to live the lives that are right for them, instead of existing in a state of constant and relentless abuse -- because trying to coerce someone into being something they aren't or something they shouldn't is always a form of abuse.
Listen to the stories being told here and everywhere else. You do not ever have the right to control another person's body or dictate what they do with their life, no matter what self-serving excuse you use.
rebeccamahanyhorton's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Some essays, very good. Lionel Shriver's essay -- weirdly racist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
tayloranne's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this! Especially getting so many perspectives on the topic of being childfree. It was great to read multiple different people's experiences and how the choice had effected their lives. As someone who doesn't think she wants kids, it was a really important read for me I think to see how others felt about their choice as people that have officially suck with it, if you know what I mean
ralphiereads76's review against another edition
5.0
I had so many ideas while reading this collection of essays! So many "aha" moments.
kirakat08's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Interesting essays on why writers didn’t become parents. As others have mentioned in their reviews, some perspectives are blatantly ableist and racist. An interesting read as someone who also has chosen to be childfree, but not the most engaging so it took me forever to get through.
alittleoverdue's review against another edition
2.0
I had great expectations for this book, and appreciated an anecdote to the endless parenting books and was hoping to get some interesting perspectives on different lifestyles choices. Unfortunately many of the essays really rubbed me the wrong way and I fear may perpetuate some of the very stereotypes the book seeks to mitigate, which is a shame. Note that I did try the audio version first, so perhaps it just didn't translate as well into audio format.