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Emily Oster Books

Emily Oster is a professor of economics at Brown University, with a PhD in economics from Harvard University. She is the author of the provocative and controversial book Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong – and What You Really Need to Know. She has written articles for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Esquire, and she was also a speaker at the 2007 TED conference.

  1. 1Cribsheet

    Cribsheet

    Emily Oster

    A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

    3.2 (165 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    01:27

    What's Cribsheet about?

    Cribsheet (2019) provides a unique and insightful perspective on early-childhood parenting – that of an economist. Given its focus on decision-making, cost and benefit analysis, risk assessment, and data interpretation, the academic discipline of economics provides a surprisingly useful framework for thinking about the difficult decisions that new parents have to make when raising their babies.

    Who should read Cribsheet?

    • Soon-to-be parents trying to think ahead about parenting decisions
    • Current parents already wrestling with those decisions  
    • Would-be parents wondering if they want to deal with those decisions in the first place
  2. 2Expecting Better

    Expecting Better

    Emily Oster

    Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong – and What You Really Need to Know

    3.9 (120 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    01:07

    What's Expecting Better about?

    Expecting Better (2013) gives moms-to-be peace of mind by cutting through the haze of pregnancy myths and laying bare the real facts. Author Emily Oster, a leading economist, challenges and reevaluates conventional wisdom so that you can make your own decisions for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

    Who should read Expecting Better?

    • Expectant mothers or people planning a pregnancy
    • Anyone looking for concrete facts about pregnancy and childbirth
    • People overwhelmed by all the pregnancy decisions they need to make
  3. 3The Family Firm

    The Family Firm

    Emily Oster

    A Data-Driven Decision Making Guide in the Early School Years

    4.0 (71 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    01:01

    What's The Family Firm about?

    The Family Firm (2021) explores the latest research on pre-teen child development. It explains how parents can make data-driven decisions on important parenting decisions like a child’s school, bedtime, diet, and extracurricular schedule.

    Who should read The Family Firm?

    • Parents of children ages five to twelve
    • Educators looking for a fresh perspective
    • Psychology buffs seeking new insights