A review by booksthroughmyveins
Inconceivable by Alexandra Collier

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

 - thanks to @hachetteaus for my #gifted copy of this book 

I firmly believe that there is nothing more human than fully pursuing what we sincerely, truly, really want, even more so when dealing with rejection, judgement, and loss is highly likely. Alexandra wanted to be a mother, and when the planets did not align to provide a standard family, she decided to build her own by embarking on a solo motherhood journey. 

I really enjoyed this Memoir and Alexandra's creative choices behind it. Her decision to pursue solo motherhood does not happen in a vacuum, and it comes with significant consequences, so I appreciated the author's necessary vulnerability in explaining the journey and not shying away from exploring its most difficult and painful parts.

Nevertheless, Alexandra's sense of humour perfectly balanced the seriousness of the matters she delves into: from heartbreak and the oppressiveness of societal expectations to the difficulties of conceiving, gender roles, relationships and the lack of support from the Australian health system for soon-to-be parents. It is a rollercoaster of content and emotions, but one that is enjoyable, nurturing, very entertaining and approachable to anyone, including those whose experience is entirely different from Alexandra's.

In addition to learning about the biological and practical ways women can approach getting pregnant without a male partner, I also felt a shift in my beliefs about motherhood. As a person who does not aspire to marriage nor find comfort in the idea of traditional families, Alexandra made me reflect a lot on my personal values and aspirations, as it expanded my view of what is possible when you let go of impositions and expectations that do not resonate with you.

Overall, Inconceivable is a dynamic, entertaining and profound approach to a woman's journey to creating her own family. Informative, defiant and inspiring, it is a book that I recommend to anyone looking for a compelling and memorable read.