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  • Self Contained

  • Scenes from a Single Life
  • By: Emma John
  • Narrated by: Emma John
  • Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)
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Self Contained cover art

Self Contained

By: Emma John
Narrated by: Emma John
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Summary

There is a piece of cod-wisdom regularly dispensed to single women: romance will arrive when you least expect it. I had assumed it would also make its own travel arrangements, too.

Emma John is in her 40s; she is neither married, nor partnered, with child or planning to be. 

In her hilarious and unflinching memoir, Self-Contained, she asks why the world only views a woman as complete when she is no longer a single figure and addresses what it means to be alone when everyone else isn't. 

In her book, she captures what it is to be single in your 40s, from sharing a twin room with someone you've never met on a group holiday (because the couples have all the doubles with ensuite), to coming to the realisation that maybe your singleness isn't a temporary arrangement, that maybe you aren't pre-married at all and, in fact, you are self-contained. 

The book is an exploration of being lifelong single and what happens if you don't meet the right person, don't settle down with the wrong person and realise the biggest commitment is to yourself.

©2021 Emma John (P)2021 Octopus Publishing Group

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A breath of fresh air!

To be honest, I couldn't wait to keep listening to more once I started listening. I read it over 3 days, every chance I got in between work, sleep and grooming I would press 'play'! Very authentic yet relatable to my own life in many parts. Just wish I had as good a social life as Emma!!

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A fresh perspective

A Great account of alternative life lived. Honest and insightful. Hope theres a part two!

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So relatable for the minority!

Like the other review I saw, I also listened to this over the space of a few days after being immediately hooked (yet working full time).
In a world where you’re made to feel inadequate or abnormal for not wanting kids, this book brought reassurance and inspiration!

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