Little Labors

By Rivka Galchen,

Book cover of Little Labors

Book description

In this enchanting miscellany, Galchen notes that literature has more dogs than babies (and also more abortions), that the tally of children for many great women writers-Jane Bowles, Elizabeth Bishop, Virginia Woolf, Janet Frame, Willa Cather, Patricia Highsmith, Iris Murdoch, Djuna Barnes, Mavis Gallant-is zero, that orange is the new…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Little Labors as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A friend once described her early years of motherhood as non-stop work but also total idleness. Galchen’s slim book of collected observations and witticisms about babies and motherhood, some only one dazzling paragraph long, made me pause to savor each word. I liken reading this book to reading fun poetry or admiring a pop-up gallery. You can read a bit of this book every day, without losing the thread. Each chapter (they are very mini chapters) made me see the world in a new light. Many made me laugh out loud with joy. 

Want books like Little Labors?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 89 books like Little Labors.

Browse books like Little Labors

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in black magic, abortion, and Virginia?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about black magic, abortion, and Virginia.

Black Magic Explore 9 books about black magic
Abortion Explore 36 books about abortion
Virginia Explore 104 books about Virginia