A New York Times bestseller about whether it's necessary to have it all (see Anne-Marie Slaughter) or, perhaps more controversially, whether children are really a requirement for a fulfilling life. In this exciting 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 Christiensen, Elliott Holt, Geoff Dyer, and Tim Kreider, among others, who will give a unique perspective on the overwhelming cultural pressure of parenthood. In this book, that shadowy faction known as the childless-by-choice comes out into the light.

About the Author
Meghan Daum is the author of four books, most recently The Unspeakable... And Other Subjects of Discussion, published in 2014 by FSG. Her other books include the essay collection My Misspent Youth, the novel The Quality of Life Report, and Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived In That House, a memoir. An opinion columnist for The Los Angeles Times for nearly a decade, Meghan has written for The New Yorker, Harper's, Elle, and Vogue, among other publications. She lives in Los Angeles.