Sixteen literary luminaries on the controversial subject of being childless by choice, in this critically acclaimed, bestselling anthologyOne of the most provocative and talked-about books of the year, Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed is the stunning collection exploring one of society's most vexing taboos.One of the main topics of cultural conversation during the last decade was the supposed "fertility crisis," and whether modern women could figure out a way to have it all-a successful career and the required 2.3 children-before their biological clocks stopped ticking. Now, however, the conversation has turned to whether it's necessary to have it all (see Anne-Marie Slaughter) or, perhaps more controversial, whether children are really a requirement for a fulfilling life.In this exciting and controversial collection of essays, curated by writer Meghan Daum, thirteen acclaimed female writers explain why they have chosen to eschew motherhood. Contributors include Lionel Shriver, Sigrid Nunez, Kate Christensen, Elliott Holt, Geoff Dyer, and Tim Kreider, among others, who will give a unique perspective on the overwhelming cultural pressure of parenthood.This collection makes a smart and passionate case for why parenthood is not the only path to a happy, productive life, and takes our parent-centric, kid-fixated, baby-bump-patrolling culture to task in the process. In this book, that shadowy faction known as the childless-by-choice comes out into the light.

Introduction by Meghan DaumBabes in the Woods by Courtney HodellMaternal Instincts by Laura KipnisA Thousand Other Things by Kate ChristensenThe New Rhoda by Paul LisickyBe Here Now Means Be Gone Later by Lionel ShriverThe Most Important Thing by Sigrid NunezMommy Fearest by Anna HolmesAmateurs by Michelle HunevenSave Yourself by Danielle HendersonThe Trouble with Having It All by Pam HoustonBeyond Beyond Motherhoodby Jeanne SaferOver and Out by Geoff DyerYou'd Be Such a Good Mother, If Only You Weren't You by M. G.Lord The Hardest Art by Rosemary MahoneyJust an Aunt by Elliott HoltThe End of the Line by Tim KreiderAcknowledgments Contributors