Today's review is an anthology of different authors writing their own accounts, no holds barred, all cards on the table, completely honest descriptions of parenthood - The unspoken discussions. This book follows on from 'Keeping it under wraps: Sex, Uncensored' follow the link to read my review of that first book.
Parenthood, Uncensored was published on 15th February 2022 and is available to purchase on Amazon
𝐵𝓁𝓊𝓇𝒷
To procreate or not to procreate: that is the question.
The choice, in itself, is a big conversation in society, and often something that is highly judged. Even the relationships we have with our own parents are expected to fit a norm that doesn't actually exist.
The Keeping It Under Wraps anthology series provides a safe space to change the narrative, to speak openly about individual experiences, and in the end to understand that while each experience is different, we are not so different from each other. Parenthood, Uncensored is the second book in this series following on from Sex, Uncensored, published May 4th 2021.
This anthology highlights twenty-four international voices telling their stories their way – stories about love, loss, hope, shame, pain, loneliness and more.
“Unique and honest collection of stories and I am glad that I was privileged to be able to read them”
- Reviewer Bex Books & Stuff
“Absolutely brilliant anthology. Keeping It Under Wraps has a wide range of stories; some incredibly funny, some all too relatable and some which are heartbreaking and bitter-sweet.”
- Author CS Wilde
“These stories are not something you can browse, This is pared-down, stripped-back, naked and honest. Don’t look away. One of the ways we reframe our experiences is by listening to others.
This book opens a door.”
- Author JJ Marsh
With contributions by:
Amy Bowers | Christine Breede | Louise Bryant | Natasha Cabot | Carey Cook | Iris Leona Marie Cross | Tara Giroud | Yael Rosenstock Gonzalez | Tracy Hope | Jessica Joe | Emily Lacika | Hana M. Lin | Desiree-Anne Martin | Chital Mehta | Alnaaze Nathoo | Kate Paine | Daniel Preston | Levi Rogers | Adrian Slonacker | David Stromberg | San Lin Tun | Louise Vargas | Meredith Wadley | Jessica S. Wang
𝑀𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈
After reading the first Keeping it under wraps I was excited to read this next anthology, the quality of writing was so good in the first book I knew this would be a phenomenal read. I was not disappointed! As a parent myself I found the discussions frank and thought provoking.
This anthology was a collection of raw, uplifting, terrifying, heart-felt, gut wrenching, beautiful and above all honest discussions around so many topics linked with parenthood. Many parenting books aimed at expecting families, newly pregnant ladies and those thinking of starting a family focus on the positive side of having children. The dos and do nots, 'what to expect', what may change in a physical sense, how to care for the child when it arrives, and so forth. These books are informative and, most of the time, keep emotions out of the equation. This anthology however was a powerful and deeply emotive conversation about the things that we are not supposed to talk about when it comes to parenthood. No judgement, just honesty.
The authors shared their innermost thoughts and feelings, they discussed highly personal and raw stories about wanting to be a parent, not wanting to be a parent, choosing fostering over having their own children, the pain of IVF, the pain of losing a child, traumatic birth stories, mental health and the fear that they would damage their child, the patterns of abuse and knowledge that this could be passed onto future offspring, religious pressures, the happiness that being a stay at home dad creates, the joy and wonder of being a parent and so much more. All of these stories, are deeply personal, honest and evocative. Reading this book was a privilege, the honesty of the authors something to be respected and not taken lightly.
This is by no means an easy read, it took me a while because I felt each story needed to be processed and respected. It is certainly not a fluffy unicorn of a book, it is strong, powerful, beautiful and scary but above all honest. Possibly not one to read if you are pregnant and emotional, best saved for when you have experienced parenthood for a little while and found the magic and wonder, along with the hardships, for yourself.
I want to thank all the authors for laying their lives out for all to see and sharing their thoughts and prayers with us the readers. I am proud to have read these stories and many will stay with me for a long time.
I look forward to seeing what further delights this team have ready for us in the future!
𝒜𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒦𝑒𝑒𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝐼𝓉 𝒰𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝒲𝓇𝒶𝓅𝓈 𝓈𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈:
Alnaaze is a writer, humanitarian and melanated Mona living in Switzerland.
Her goal, as it has always been, is to help amplify the voices of those who are not heard, sharing their stories, in a way only she knows how: words, and a very loud voice. Usually found on social media complaining about something or other, but mostly people such as racists, homophobes or people who don't appreciate her TV binging skills. Napping is her superpower, and if she says she likes you, consider yourself one of the chosen few.
Louise is a mother and writer living in Switzerland.
She writes across all genres and covers many different themes and topics, and runs the Writers & Illustrators of Zurich group. A strong believer in the importance of discussing mental health issues, diversity inclusion and equal opportunities. She is a proud ADHDer who is often bouncing from one coffee shop to the next wearing a rainbow of colours. Apparently too nice… and apologises way too much.
Tracy is a teacher, mother and writer based in Switzerland.
Originally hailing from New Zealand, she has an opinion on everything ever. She might be the most middle-of-the-road member of the KIUW team. She is fond of flash fiction and short stories at the creepy end of normal. She recently switched loyalties between coffee shops, but is otherwise very attached to literacy teaching and finally getting to the bottom of her infinite to-be-read pile. She tries to pretend to be interested in other people, but it’s hard.
Links:
Website: www.keepingitunderwraps.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/underwrapsbook