Book review: “Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner”

So, are you dating anyone?  

Being single is rife with rude questions. 

What is wrong with me?

Welp, some of those obnoxious questions come from ourselves.

Writer Meghan Keane, who is the founder and supervising editor of NPR’s Life Kit, tackles the joys and challenges of being single in “Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner.” Society can make being single feel like you’re an oddball, and some of that gets in our head. Keane guides the way through these complicated emotions.

Each chapter explores a different aspect of singledom – from the myth of romantic love to managing emotions – with Keane talking to experts and offering an activity and practice to help you untangle your thoughts and feelings.

The book is comforting, giving wise advice: “You can love your freedom but also want companionship. … No one is grading you on perfect consistency.”  

And this: “Sometimes hanging out with people is a drag! You have to make compromises about how much money to spend or what kind of food to eat or how long you’re going to be out. But when you carve our delicious moments just for you … you get to the sole architect of your experience.”

It’s also full of beautiful illustrations from LA Johnson. It’s one of those books that you’ll keep because it’s so nice to look at and the advice is something you’ll want to turn to over and over again.

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