I’ve read a lot of books about being single over the past twenty years.
I’ve been a Lady In Waiting, and I Kissed Dating Good-bye with everyone else in the 90s (although somehow most of them managed to get married anyway). I’ve thought a lot about Passion and Purity, and wondered: If Men Are Like Buses, Then Why Can’t I Catch One?
I’ve dreamed about the potential scenarios in which Boy Meets Girl, gone In Search of The Proverbs 31 Man, and studied What To Do Until Love Finds You. I’ve wrestled through the issues surrounding Loves Me, Loves Me Not: The Ethics of Unrequited Love. I’ve even tried jumping the gun and Finding (My) Purpose As A Mom, in addition to reading/skimming books written to men (by men) about dating/marriage (just in case they happened to know something about me that I didn’t – which…well… let’s just say they didn’t).
But when Dan Brennan reviewed Kate Hurley’s book last fall, I was intrigued. I’d heard of Kate Hurley – she wrote one of my favorite Christmas songs. And I really liked what I saw on her website. So I bought the book.
photo courtesy of ©Depositphotos.com / nupix
And my heart sang.
Can I tell you why I love this book so much?
It’s because FINALLY, someone said it: “Being single sucks.”
That so needed to be said.
Kate tackles all of it: dating, loneliness, church, life, freedom, longing, friendships, expectations, grief, hope – everything! – with wonderful candor, wisdom, and honesty.
And the best part of it is: she wrote her book to married people, too.
I’ve read a lot of books about singleness – but I’ve yet to read one as comprehensive, compassionate, and hopeful as Cupid Is A Procrastinator: Making Sense of the Unexpected Single Life. There isn’t a single formula or platitude in it. It’s just…well, real. Kate gives us permission to own it that sometimes, being single just sucks. That it’s okay to grieve the loss of something we don’t have. But at the same time she reminds us that there’s “hope that is still hope”, even if it doesn’t end with wedding bells. That Jesus truly is enough. And that ‘family’ doesn’t need to be as narrowly defined as we think it is.
I hope you’ll pick up a copy – for yourself, or for a friend. You can find it on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.
Ginn
February 2, 2014I want to read this book because I too have read so many books for singles and they all seem like a “this is what your doing wrong” type of book. I love the idea about being real!
Kimberly
February 3, 2014I want to read the book because very rarely do I find people who say the same thing I do about being single- it sucks! Also books about being single typically are full of cliches and fluffy words. I’m ready to read a REAL book!
Audrey
February 4, 2014On Sunday, in a not very loving way, I told.a friend of mine that I have a family, too, but mine just looks different than hers. Maybe I need to read this book to better communicate why being single really does suck sometimes!
Happy
February 4, 2014Thanks for commenting, ladies! I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book after you’ve read it. You can look for a copy coming your way by the end of next week. 🙂
Kate Hurley
February 19, 2014Wow, I stumbled across this after wordpress said you mentioned me on your blog. This really made my week! I’m so happy to hear that my book is ministering to people and making them feel understood. Thank you so much for believing in what I am doing!
Love,
Kate Hurley
Happy
February 22, 2014Kate – I’m glad it made your week! I’m sure sharing your story with the world is a huge exercise in vulnerability, but it is *so* encouraging to me (particularly since I’m a single worship leader in my thirties, too). 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Chandra
February 22, 2014I’m not sure how, but I’d like to add to this book donation list. Kate, can I buy 5 books from you to give to 5 people who like your page or whatever contest type something-or-other you want to use?
Happy
January 20, 2015update: this post was originally written in 2014 when Kate’s book was first printed under a different title, and included these lines at the end: “In fact, I’d like to send you a copy. And I will – to the first three people who comment with the reason why they’d love to read a book like this.” (Hence the comment thread above.) As of February 1st, 2015 you can now find Kate’s book under a new title (and the above post has been updated to reflect the new title). Check it out here!