Discussion - A Recent Reading Surprise

This Week's Topic

A Recent Reading Surprise

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Every once in a while, I will read a book that surprises me. It can be one that I think is good or bad, or something I am indifferent towards. I have been simmering on this for a while. In the past two weeks, I read at least four (maybe five?) books where the characters made a point of letting me know they never wanted to have children. 

These were all romance books, and I suppose I found it interesting that they needed to make it known. For one book, it was part of the plot, but the others it was a random announcement. I know it's becoming more common for people to elect to have no children. Heck, I even saw this map showing birth probabilities, and though I have seen some variability in versions of this map, it essentially shows that birth rates are low in the west which is the target audience for the books I read. 

So, I wonder, are authors including these wannabe childless couples to match their audience or is something else driving the mention of no children all of a sudden? I don't believe I have seen mention of it often enough in the past to leave an impression, but it sure keeps popping up lately. 

Have you noticed any spikes in themes or anything in your reading lately? 

Now it's your turn!

Have you been surprised lately?
Let us know in the comments!