Book Review
Memoir | Travel | Humor | Love | Lust
“What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding” by Kristin Newman is an unabashedly honest and humorous memoir that delves into the author’s life, passion for travel, her experiences with romance and sex! Yes, there is sex and a lot of it! Newman is a renowned comedy writer known for shows like That 70s Show, How I Met Your Mother, and many others like Chuck and The Neighbors. In this book, she fearlessly shares her personal journey, including the ups and downs of her love life.
Newman, often not taken seriously by her male colleagues, sheds light on the common scenarios that almost every woman faces in her work life. Her love for travel becomes a recurring theme, serving as both an escape from problems and a backdrop for her intimate encounters. The memoir is infused with details of her sex life and her fear of commitment.
Throughout the book, the author recounts her varied relationships, from Vito in college with whom she breaks up when he asks her hand in marriage. Her relationship with her ex-boyfriend’s best friend who she cheats on with a bartender in Paris. The narrative also touches on her crushes, a Russian bartender, her imaginary lover, Ferris Bueller, who acted as an inspiration for her to write shows. A complicated relationship with Ben, whose heart she repeatedly breaks due to her aversion to commitment.
Aside from all the men in her life, Newman briefly talks about her career as a writer and her anxiety-driven tendency to use travel as a means of escaping any problem. I enjoyed reading the detailed accounts of her travel experiences in Argentina and Israel that add depth to the narrative.
I chose this book based on its intriguing title. I was hoping to read more of her travel stories and what it’s like to travel solo as a rich privileged woman. What life looks like when you are independent and old, and alone without children! However, the book primarily revolves around Newman’s numerous romantic entanglements. I was a bit disappointed while reading this book as I was on a quest for some inspiration, why does freedom mean being able to sleep with anyone?! Despite that I totally appreciate her unapologetic writing style and her absence of fear in sharing intimate details of her life with strangers. Reading this book is like a voyeuristic experience, it captures the reader’s curiosity with the intricate personal stuff. But that’s how we all are isn’t it? Always interested in the shabby details!
“What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding” is entertaining, Newman’s writing style has humor and wit, and it will keep you engaged till the very end. I recommend you read this book, if you enjoy candid and funny memoirs, and share an interest in the adventurous aspects of love and travel.
Nuraine Sadaf 