Reviews - What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding: A Memoir

799 reviews for:

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding: A Memoir

Being single is a gift. That is something I have been learning the past year, and the idea is emphasized in Kristin Newman's memoir of her solo travels. While Newman's family stresses about her finding the right man to settle down with, she's off gallivanting around the world and having a grand old time. While the desire to find someone to have a relationship does concern Newman, she doesn't let it stop her from living life to the fullest, and telling her story in a highly funny and highly relatable (at least for this wanderlusty single gal) way. I brought this book on my last international trip, and I'll be thinking of Newman on my next trips around the globe.

marie_loerzel's review against another edition

5.0

This book has all the components I love honesty, grit and humor. Oh and travel too! Kristin Newman, I am a fan.

bamcd9's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous funny fast-paced

jgoetz's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

christinapitrelli's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

shrubs5110's review against another edition

1.0

I would not recommend this book.

But that is only because I thought the author came off as annoying. I don't know Kristin Newman personally. I never heard of her before hearing a glowing review of "What I was Doing While You Were Breeding" but after reading her book, I can't help but think she is probably an annoying person (to me at least) in real life. I am assuming this book is reflective of who she is as a person. Maybe it's not. I feel bad for judging her this way because I can't provide a specific reason from the text why I feel this way. Totality of the facts/pages maybe? She kind of reminds me of a person you know will ruin the rest of your day when open up their mouth. Maybe I have a negative viewpoint because I was expecting the book to be funny and it wasn't. I'll say this though, it did have moments of charm like the reviewer said it would.

Despite my earlier assumption of the author, I do also think she is probably a good person and admirable of sorts. She seems accomplished and somewhat level headed. I think her journey might be inspirational for older single adults but boy oh boy, she is annoying.

There is a specific subset of people who might enjoy this book (not myself and an explanation of whom, I'd prefer to keep offline) but I wouldn't recommend it for mass consumption or for purchase with your own money.

reenaarora's review against another edition

3.0

While it was super funny at parts and I loved her ridiculous encounters and that she had good and bad ones and shared it all, I hate the narrative arc about single women always self-actualizing to realize they pushed love away and then finally meeting the right person that tames their wild ways. If she hadn't gone there in the end, I would have liked the book a lot more.