Here I’m happy to share with you the latest (2023 and some 2022) books that I’ve recently read, or I can’t wait to read next — on topics like childfree living, fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and parenthood. I’ve updated this page with more book recommendations, on top of the previous books I listed earlier this year.
Please note: I do not receive any incentives or commissions for recommending or linking to books. The links here are provided only for your convenience. Happy reading!
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Instead: Navigating the Adventures of a Childfree Life
by Maria Coffey
Rocky Mountain Books, 2023
In this memoir, Coffey writes poignantly of her decision not to have children, and the life of extreme worldwide travel adventure she leads, and her intimacy and connection with her partner/travel companion and others.
Order the book here (Canada) or here on Amazon (US).
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Motherhood on Ice: The Mating Gap and Why Women Freeze their Eggs
By Marcia Inhorn
New York University Press, 2023
An anthropology professor writes with compassion about single women up against a lack of suitable male partners. They are freezing their eggs as a fertility backup. She interviewed 150 women, and here she shares their narratives.
Order the book here.
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Touched Out: Motherhood, Misogyny, Consent, and Control
by Amanda Montei
Beacon Press, 2023
With a starting point of feeling overwhelmed by the physicality of new motherhood, the author combines memoir and feminist analysis of the many ways our sexist society tries to control women’s bodies and what to do about it.
Hear a sample and order the book here.
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The Mamas: What I Learned About Kids, Class, and Race, from Moms Not Like Me
by Helena Andrews-Dyer
Penguin Random House, 2022
A middle-class Black Washington Post reporter joins a mothers’ group in her gentrified D.C. neighborhood. She is the only Black mother in the group. According to reviewer Jamilan Lemieux, “The Mamas captures the unique anxieties of Black motherhood with humor and sensitivity.”
Hear a sample and order the book here.
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100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success
by Liz Moody
Harper Collins, 2023
Some of you have found your way to me and my work after hearing Liz Moody’s podcast interview with me last March. (She also has a wonderful related podcast episode with Eve Rodsky, where they discuss how to revolutionize the division of labor within a household.)
Moody’s wonderful new book offers you 100 gems that are like distillations of her 1-hour podcasts on everything from anxiety to regret to boosting energy. What makes this book so special, like her podcasts, is that Liz researches the science on which expert’s recommendations are based. Then she asks brilliant questions, listens carefully to the experts’ answers, and shares the answers in bite-sized chunks. For each piece of advice, she gives you easy ways to apply it to your daily actions.
This is still on my night table because I’ve only read a few of the sections. I’m going to savor the other 95 over the holidays.
Hear a sample and order the book here.
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Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood
by Ruby Warrington
Sounds True Publishing, 2023
You may already know Warrington’s excellent podcast, where she de-stigmatizes childfree women by interviewing experts and inspiring childfree women. This excellent book combines feminist and anthropological perspectives on childfree women and role models of women making the most of their childfree lives. These women take pride in being pioneers.
Order the book and hear her podcast here.
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Wild Egg: A story of one woman’s search for her childfree life
by Jennifer Flint
The Unbound Press, 2022
Not only women who are leaning toward the childfree choice, but many sitting on the fence are hungry for novels about childfree women. Flint’s novel is beautiful, brilliant, serious, and funny. Her main character, Hollie is a lovable, courageous model for the childfree choice. Flint uses original language and metaphors to describe the frustration, determination, and creativity that authentic parenthood/childfree decision making requires. Readers will feel seen, heard, and less alone with their dilemma. (Confession: I adapted this review from my blurb comment on Flint’s inside cover.)
Learn more and order the book here.
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Queer Conception: The Complete Fertility Guide for Queer and Trans Parents-to-be
by Kristin Liam Kali
Sasquatch Books, 2022
Kali is an experienced fertility midwife who has written a thorough manual that is trans-inclusive. It guides readers through every aspect of planning for and going through pregnancy. An example of its thoroughness is lactation guidance for trans women and non-gestational parents. This is a must for queer readers considering pregnancy, and the medical and mental health professionals who serve them.
Learn more and order the book here.
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Mother Brain: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood
by Chelsea Conaboy
Henry Holt, 2022
I cannot tell you how excited I was to discover this book. Conaboy, a health and science journalist, busts the myth of maternal instinct, compassionately advocates for the needs of pregnant and postpartum mothers, and explains pregnancy-related brain and hormonal changes, positive and negative. She decries the ignorance of medical professionals and the lack of scientific research on this topic. She reveals that when a baby enters the family, fathers and non-pregnant female partners’ brains change, too, making them more nurturant.
Learn more and order the book here.
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Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood
by Jessica Grose
Mariner Books, 2022
With wit, rage, and compassion, New York Times parenting columnist Grose combines her personal narrative with findings from interviews and sociological analysis. She describes and advocates for the policy changes and family support services that parents and children so desperately need. She makes the point that all of society, not just families, need these changes for the common good.
Learn more and order the book here.
What new books on fertility, parenthood, or childfree living do you like?
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Have you read any of these new 2024 books on childfree or parenthood decision-making topics? Or is there a new book that you recommend about childfree living, fertility, pregnancy, surrogacy, adoption, parenthood, single parenting, LGBQTI+ parenting, or related topics? Let me know! Email me anytime via my online contact form.
You can also share your recommendations or ideas in our private Facebook group called “The Decision Café“—or on my Instagram page, which often features new article previews and special content.
You’ll be able to find more baby decision resources and helpful posts from me and other contributors on my blog page and in my bi-monthly email newsletter. The newsletter features exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else, including excerpts from my new forthcoming book. If you aren’t subscribed yet, stay in touch and quickly sign up here or in the pop-up box below.
Finally, if you missed my book recommendations from previous years, you can see my past book picks here.
Thanks for subscribing and following, and let’s chat soon!
– Merle Bombardieri
Photo on this page by Lenin Estrada on Unsplash.com
