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Solo Planet: How Singles Help the Church Recover Our Calling
How can the church do better for its millions of singles? Journalist Anna Broadway traveled around the world to interview nearly 350 Christians for answers.
Solo Planet draws on her 17 months of fieldwork to provide a first-of-its-kind account of the single life of Christians from nearly 50 countries. Discussing a variety of topics—loneliness, sexuality, aging, housing, cooking, celebrations, parenting, and many more, it gives us the global-church story of singleness. Because when singles thrive in a church, everyone benefits. But consider these typical barriers within most and marrieds often don’t know how to talk to each other.Christians continue to act as if nearly all will marry—and if you don’t, then something must be wrong with you.Churches teach that marriage and family is God’s greatest gift outside of salvation—a perspective that deserves theological challenge.Women in the church outnumber men by a factor of millions—and churches do very little to acknowledge this gap.Solo Planet calls Christians to a more faithful vision of singleness through the wisdom and stories of the global young and old; abled and disabled; and Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. Through its deeply researched account, Solo Planet shows how a more biblical approach to singleness can strengthen churches and empower singles to thrive.
Solo Planet draws on her 17 months of fieldwork to provide a first-of-its-kind account of the single life of Christians from nearly 50 countries. Discussing a variety of topics—loneliness, sexuality, aging, housing, cooking, celebrations, parenting, and many more, it gives us the global-church story of singleness. Because when singles thrive in a church, everyone benefits. But consider these typical barriers within most and marrieds often don’t know how to talk to each other.Christians continue to act as if nearly all will marry—and if you don’t, then something must be wrong with you.Churches teach that marriage and family is God’s greatest gift outside of salvation—a perspective that deserves theological challenge.Women in the church outnumber men by a factor of millions—and churches do very little to acknowledge this gap.Solo Planet calls Christians to a more faithful vision of singleness through the wisdom and stories of the global young and old; abled and disabled; and Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. Through its deeply researched account, Solo Planet shows how a more biblical approach to singleness can strengthen churches and empower singles to thrive.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2024
11 people are currently reading
1810 people want to read
About the author
Anna Broadway
3 books30 followersAnna Broadway has written for The New York Times, the Washington Post, TheAtlantic.com, Books and Culture, OnFaith and other publications. She also contributed to the books Venus and Virtue, Disquiet Time, Talking Taboo and Faith at the Edge.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 30, 2024
As a single in my 60s, I've read many books about singleness. This title is unique for several reasons. While there is much content that singles will resonate with and want to process for their own lives, this is really a book about singleness and Christianity for everyone. Broadway includes challenges for those those who are married as well as singles. What really makes this book stand out is its broad, global coverage. Having lived outside of the US for most of the past 20 years, I loved hearing stories of my single brothers and sisters around the world. Finally, I really appreciated how Broadway lovingly, respectfully, and biblically represented Christians from various sexual perspectives.
A couple more factors that I loved about the book: So many books on singleness that I've read center the author's story. While Broadway does include her own story and perspectives, they are just one part of this title. Finally, I really liked the reflection questions she posed at the end of each chapter. Using the same three verbs, she invites readers to take each chapter's theme and think about, "What do you grieve?....What do you have?....What can you give?"
Highly recommended.
Review based on an eARC received through NetGalley.
A couple more factors that I loved about the book: So many books on singleness that I've read center the author's story. While Broadway does include her own story and perspectives, they are just one part of this title. Finally, I really liked the reflection questions she posed at the end of each chapter. Using the same three verbs, she invites readers to take each chapter's theme and think about, "What do you grieve?....What do you have?....What can you give?"
Highly recommended.
Review based on an eARC received through NetGalley.
January 2, 2025
Every once in a while you encounter a book that changes your life. I think this is one of those. Broadway's research is thorough, her recommendations are challenging and encouraging, and the stories and lives shared here are such a gift. I especially appreciated the overall directness of the writing, and the calls to prayer, repentance, and deeper commitment offered throughout. It would be a great one to read and work through with others. Thought-provoking.
January 24, 2025
This book gave me much to think about regarding the experience of single Christians in the Church, not just in the U.S. but around the world. I am now co-leading an adult Sunday school class using this book, and we are finding much to discuss.
May 31, 2024
“We all have interconnected welfare. If you’re single, the health of married couples affects you. If you’re married, the health of singles affects you—and that doesn’t necessarily mean finding spouses for them” (19).
As I led a book club on Solo Planet composed of both single AND married women from my church, the above quote is one we kept going back to: our interconnected welfare. I appreciated a book about singleness that didn’t just focus on “how to” date or find a life partner, but addressed the gifts AND challenges of singleness. Just singleness in itself. It centers single voices and experiences—not trying to change or fix—but simply shedding light on experiences from the most quotidian (housing, leisure, food) to the existential (death, disability, sexuality, and legacy). I appreciated the global perspective and diverse voices, as well as the travel vignettes from the author. While the writing style is a bit more straightforward and journalistic than I would have preferred I, most importantly, was grateful for the fruitful conversations it sparked amongst my community of women, young and old, single and married, about singleness: what we have, what we grieve, what we need to confess of, and how we can love others to look more like Christ!
As I led a book club on Solo Planet composed of both single AND married women from my church, the above quote is one we kept going back to: our interconnected welfare. I appreciated a book about singleness that didn’t just focus on “how to” date or find a life partner, but addressed the gifts AND challenges of singleness. Just singleness in itself. It centers single voices and experiences—not trying to change or fix—but simply shedding light on experiences from the most quotidian (housing, leisure, food) to the existential (death, disability, sexuality, and legacy). I appreciated the global perspective and diverse voices, as well as the travel vignettes from the author. While the writing style is a bit more straightforward and journalistic than I would have preferred I, most importantly, was grateful for the fruitful conversations it sparked amongst my community of women, young and old, single and married, about singleness: what we have, what we grieve, what we need to confess of, and how we can love others to look more like Christ!
March 4, 2025
This is a book that opened my eyes to the challenges single people face, particularly within the church. Though I didn't agree with the author on every issue, the book provided a great framework for discussion in our adult Sunday school class.
November 5, 2024
**Tried my hand at writing a review with ChatGPT 😂**
***Later deleted it when I realised it made no mention of the church whatsoever, and this formed a fundamental part of the book***
***Later deleted it when I realised it made no mention of the church whatsoever, and this formed a fundamental part of the book***
February 12, 2024
An interesting and insightful read about singles and the difficulty they face finding a place in the church.
The author draws her research from a worldwide trip, interviewing Christians from various countries, cultures, walks of life, and ages, all single. I thought that she made some good points, and it was interesting to see how different cultures treated the various situations. I liked reading about how some had found true friends who welcomed them into their life, giving them a family of sorts to be a part of.
In some ways the book was a harder read in that it kind of just reported on different people and their lives in a objective style, and I think that the book really shone in the more personal moments.
As a single Christian I could definitely relate to some of the stories, and there was space commiserate for sure. Often while reading I felt defeated and sadder, at the stories of heartbreak and hardship found in Ms. Broadways' study. An interesting read to be sure, definitely a reminder to each of us of how we can be more hospitable to those who are single, divorced, widowed, or a minority.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
The author draws her research from a worldwide trip, interviewing Christians from various countries, cultures, walks of life, and ages, all single. I thought that she made some good points, and it was interesting to see how different cultures treated the various situations. I liked reading about how some had found true friends who welcomed them into their life, giving them a family of sorts to be a part of.
In some ways the book was a harder read in that it kind of just reported on different people and their lives in a objective style, and I think that the book really shone in the more personal moments.
As a single Christian I could definitely relate to some of the stories, and there was space commiserate for sure. Often while reading I felt defeated and sadder, at the stories of heartbreak and hardship found in Ms. Broadways' study. An interesting read to be sure, definitely a reminder to each of us of how we can be more hospitable to those who are single, divorced, widowed, or a minority.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
October 7, 2025
A good read, but I felt slightly misled by the subtitle. Something like "The hardships of singles and how the church can be more helpful" would have been more apt as it mostly felt like a memoir of her global journey to interview hundreds of singles and hear of their experiences. Not bad, just not as profound as I may have expected.
I will say I greatly appreciate her chapter on celebrations and the insights on the liturgical calendar being helpful yo establish the types of things we should be celebrating and how that ends up being far more inclusive than solely focusing on celebrations that singles will have less of (weddings, anniversaries, kids birthdays etc). Her piece about celebrating what we value was very compelling.
I will say I greatly appreciate her chapter on celebrations and the insights on the liturgical calendar being helpful yo establish the types of things we should be celebrating and how that ends up being far more inclusive than solely focusing on celebrations that singles will have less of (weddings, anniversaries, kids birthdays etc). Her piece about celebrating what we value was very compelling.
July 17, 2025
Huge shoutout to the self-funded field research
July 20, 2024
Thank you for this insightful, honest, and hopeful book! Each chapter and page held so much wisdom, hard earned insight, and lived out compassion. What an honor to know this author and still be learning from her today. I hope many people will take your words to heart. may we continue to learn, grow, and share life together as communities, especially the church!
August 29, 2025
This book is an encouragement to both single and married people who are a part of the collective Christian church. The span across cultures, faith traditions/expressions, age, and life experiences help to make this the best book I’ve read so far on the intersection of singleness and the Christian faith.
May 15, 2024
Being single in this “family first” church
In a movement started by the ultimate single person, marginalized by his own family religion, Anne Broadway reveals how the church is missing out on its true calling and just how to start recovering its Master’s purpose for existing
In a movement started by the ultimate single person, marginalized by his own family religion, Anne Broadway reveals how the church is missing out on its true calling and just how to start recovering its Master’s purpose for existing
June 19, 2024
Full review here: https://dearstrangethings.substack.co...
June 27, 2024
"This is a book about singleness when your most cherished dreams have died and yet longing persists for what you have lost or never found. This is a book about the kind of community God desires for his people. This is a book about how God provides even when we struggle with His plans for our life." - Anna Broadway
Author and journalist Anna Broadway spent 17 months traveling across six continents to 48 countries interviewing mostly single Christians from various backgrounds about the sundry challenges they faced as singles. It was an eye-opener for me. But this book is about more than just her findings. It's also filled with hope and a wonderful vision for what the Christian life can be for those who never get to experience matrimony. I think that this book will resonate with many Christian singles and they will find it helpful.
This important observation from the author really spoke to me -
"For most of my first three decades in the church, I thought good teaching was the most important thing for a strong relationship with God. I was wrong. That humble, faithful Brooklyn Bible study was where I first glimpsed how much God forms us through community.
"Formation takes commitment. It takes me staying committed to my community, even when I don't like it. Sometimes that discomfort comes from ways that others wound us, as Robin talked about. Other times, it's the pain when they help us recognize our weaknesses or sin. Either way, growth often requires my commitment to those relationships.
"It also takes commitment on the part of my community. The most life-changing confrontation often comes in committed relationship. But singles rarely have access to such relationships. We need people who know us well enough to observe the patterns we can't see in ourselves. And we need people who love us deeply enough to help us work on changing. We need people who will keep on loving us despite the things we can never fully, or ever, change. That takes commitment." (241-242)
Author and journalist Anna Broadway spent 17 months traveling across six continents to 48 countries interviewing mostly single Christians from various backgrounds about the sundry challenges they faced as singles. It was an eye-opener for me. But this book is about more than just her findings. It's also filled with hope and a wonderful vision for what the Christian life can be for those who never get to experience matrimony. I think that this book will resonate with many Christian singles and they will find it helpful.
This important observation from the author really spoke to me -
"For most of my first three decades in the church, I thought good teaching was the most important thing for a strong relationship with God. I was wrong. That humble, faithful Brooklyn Bible study was where I first glimpsed how much God forms us through community.
"Formation takes commitment. It takes me staying committed to my community, even when I don't like it. Sometimes that discomfort comes from ways that others wound us, as Robin talked about. Other times, it's the pain when they help us recognize our weaknesses or sin. Either way, growth often requires my commitment to those relationships.
"It also takes commitment on the part of my community. The most life-changing confrontation often comes in committed relationship. But singles rarely have access to such relationships. We need people who know us well enough to observe the patterns we can't see in ourselves. And we need people who love us deeply enough to help us work on changing. We need people who will keep on loving us despite the things we can never fully, or ever, change. That takes commitment." (241-242)
March 3, 2025
I enjoyed this book. I think Broadway does a really good job of engaging the difficulties for singles in the church. She had several interviews here that were insightful to the experience of laypeople an clergy who are single and who struggle to operate in Christian circles well because of an overemphasis on marriage. Ultimately, I also thought there were many misses in this book. I think Broadway delves too touchily around subjects of human sexuality which limited the perspective she could speak into as a result. I also did not share some of her views on theodicy and God's providence, which made for some distraction for me as I engaged the text. Overall, I would recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews