I wanted and expected to like this book. It's well enough written, has the right balance of stories, introspection, and looking at a broader view. But something about how the author thinks puts me off. I mean, the title itself seems oddly removed from just experiencing life. She does have some happy moments, along with plenty of dissatisfaction, but it all seemed kind of indirect. She also rubbed me the wrong way in the beginning chapters with her outlook on childbirth. Yes, she saw all the high-risk situations and the worst outcomes. But, a healthy just-born baby actually doesn't have to cry or be handled roughly. And I hate it when doctors call the laboring woman or new mother "mom." Save that for your own mother. Oh, and writing in present tense can be awkward. I'm sure she and the editors carefully considered exactly in which sentences/paragraphs to use past tense, but I guess I disagree with their choices.