I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life Without Kids

In her first memoir, stand-up comedian Kirkman takes a seriously humorous stance on deciding not to have kids. She includes stories on dating, babysitting, and what happens after performing a comedic set, but they all support the main point of her book—that she doesn’t want any children. All the anecdotes and pot shots at celebrities help shape the picture of the childless comic presented on the page. She posits that there is nothing wrong with having no inclination to procreate—and supports her stance with quotes from the Bible, Oprah, George Clooney, Aretha Franklin, and others. Everyone and everything is employed to prove that living a childless life really isn’t all that bad. In fact, it can be quite fulfilling. With the novelist’s penchant for self-flagellation and exploitation, and jokes punctuating at least every page, this book is ideal for the woman who needs a quick comeback for those who criticize her about not having kids, or for those just looking to laugh. (Apr.)