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The Unexpected Joy of Being Single

Locating Happily-Single Serenity

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The Unexpected Joy of Being Single

By: Catherine Gray
Narrated by: Catherine Gray
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About this listen

Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.

Over half of Brits aged 25-44 are now single. It's become the norm to remain solo until much later in life, given the average marriage ages of 35 (women) and 38 (men). Many of us are choosing never to marry at all.

But society, films, song lyrics and our parents are adamant that a happy ending has to be couple-shaped. That we're incomplete without an 'other half'*, like a bisected panto pony. Cue: single sorrow. Dating like it's a job. Spending half our lives waiting for somebody-we-fancy to text us back. Feeling haunted by the terms 'spinster' or 'confirmed bachelor'.

Catherine Gray took a whole year off dating to find single satisfaction. She lifted the lid on the reasons behind the global single revolution, explored the bizarre ways cultures single-shame, detached from 'all the good ones are gone!' panic and debunked the myth that married people are much happier.

Let's start the reverse brainwash, in order to locate - and luxuriate in - single happiness. Are you in?

*Spoiler: you're already whole.

©2018 Catherine Gray (P)2018 Octopus Publishing Group Art & Literature Divorce & Separation Journalists, Editors & Publishers Love, Dating & Attraction Parenting & Families Relationships Happiness Inspiring Dating Feel-Good Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue." (The i )

"Absolutely f--king brilliant." (Florence Given)
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This is an honest and open book with humour and emotion. A great listen for anyone who is or has been single which I have recommended to many female friends.
Clearly written from the heart, it is also backed up with incredibly interested data. Even if you aren’t single I would still recommend you give this a listen.

LOVED IT!! An inspiring and empowering book!

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Loved this witty, intelligent book. There are many takeaways from this book which have helped me transition from couple to single but the game changer....the export your existing chats from WhatsApp. Thank you Catherine!

Just what I needed

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fantastic. helped me get through a very tough time. would highly recommend it! just great

amazing

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Very soothing to listen to.


In terms of content, I think it’s interesting but some you would have already known. Again, it’s nice to have someone reminding you about those things.

Very good narrator.

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I devoured this book. It was so refreshing, relatable, articulate and amusing. Highly recommended, not just for ‘spinsters’ but for anyone who has ever judged a ‘single’ person. I have set it as homework for at least 5 people so far!!! Thank you Catherine for putting a proper spring in my fabulously single step.

Relatable and hilarious

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