For my April book of the month I used the Jon D. Schlueter method of book selection: Good cover art. As I walked through the Central Library’s New Book section my eye stuck to a yellow duck with a beak ring. The title also resonated with me because of my state of impending fatherhood.

The question asked by ‘Alternadad’ Neal Pollack is simply: “Does becoming a parent mean you have to stop being cool?”
The book is a memoir that covers Pollack’s journey from hipster bachelor to hipster parent told from a razor wit, liberal, two drink minimum voice. Beginning with living a neo-bohemian existence in a working class Chicago neighborhood followed by meeting his future wife through a personal ad of a woman “seeking single gentleman with penchant for scatological humor”, the author reveals himself as the least likely person to become a parent. The book continues with Neal and Regina’s wedding, early married years, and the progression from the desire for a puppy to the desire for a child. Once the couple does conceive, the focus shifts between humorous revelations of the pregnancy process and the underlying building stress about loosing his rock and roll lifestyle.

Pollack’s writing style had me laughing throughout the reading. His depiction of natural birth control, finding a pediatrician, experiencing The Little Gym, and starting a rock band as a knee-jerk reaction to becoming a father were insightful, funny and real. When his contrarian view of the world collides with typical American parent/baby culture radioactive irony slips from the pages. Although Pollack’s moral and political opinions differ I was able to relate to him in his paternal journey and even root for his victory.

I’d say Pollack’s answer to the book’s question is a resounding “Hell NO!” Rearing his son in Austin, he conducted “daddy time” which consisted of his own version of the School of Rock, where his son Elijah was instructed in the nuances of many kinds of music. He continues to lead a crusade of cool through his blog and being a contributor to Offsprung.com which blatantly states “Your life didn’t end when you became a parent.” That site offers an “Ask Alternadad” section. Although I wouldn’t take any advice from him, the Q&A is quite humorous.

I would suggest Alternadad for a good read, more humor than how-to.