Kali J Desautels

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Originally intended to simply focus on book reviews, over time, KaliDesautelsReads has morphed into its own entity. I write about issues that are near to my heart, be they political, feminist, motherhood, mental health, or, as the title holds, books. A thirty-something Canadian woman in my mid-thirties, I have been “super married” to my high school sweetheart since 2006, and together we have two crazy, clever, kind, hilarious, wonderful kids. My first book – How Not To Blog: Finding Myself, One Post at a Time is available on Amazon (in eBook formats for you clever tech readers, and paperback for those of us who love that new book smell!) I have tried a podcast – it’s still on Apple and Google Podcasts – but writing is where my heart is. My life changed dramatically when my husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in 2018, and I am now a writer for a leading Canadian Cancer Non-Profit. I am lucky enough to have a family that loves me and pushes me to be my best, even if it is outside of my cushiony comfort zone. I have a village of friends that nourish me, mentally, and spiritually. Welcome to my thoughts. Sit down. Stay a while. Enjoy a cup of coffee!

Month: January 2025

  • Stop Shoulding All Over Yourself

    Right now I have a long list of things that I SHOULD be doing – taking down my tree, laundry, 100 Days to Slay, meal prep, etc. etc. etc. What am I doing instead? Sleeping. Reading. Sleeping some more. I have no idea if I am just recovering from having been sick last week or…

  • Did I Ever Tell You by Genevieve Kingston

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️ 📚 Just finished Did I Ever Tell You by Genevieve Kingston, and I can’t stop thinking about it. This memoir is an absolute masterpiece—raw, heartfelt, and beautifully written. Kingston’s storytelling is deeply personal yet universally resonant, weaving together themes of family, love, loss, and self-discovery in a way that feels so real and poignant.…

  • Happy birthday, Ollie ❤️

    Seventeen years ago, my whole world changed when I became Ollie’s mom. 💕 I still can’t believe my firstborn baby is 17 now—where has the time gone? Watching them grow into the incredible person they are today has been the greatest privilege of my life. Ollie, you are sweet, funny, brave, empathetic, kind, artistic, creative,…

  • Happy Birthday, Danielle

    Happy Birthday to the amazing Danielle! 🎉💖 I am endlessly grateful that you are both my family and my friend. You inspire me every day with your ability to find joy in the little things and to light up every room you walk into. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, and warmth make you not just an incredible…