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!

Category: Uncategorized

  • Happy birthday, mommy

    This silly photo shows the four of us on our first breakfast in NYC in March. Today is my mommy’s birthday. You know the mom that everyone wishes they had? That’s her. She is funny, smart, generous, kind, lovely and protective. She is the mom who will sing all the chorus lyrics to Sad Songs…

  • Halfway Mark – Alias Grace

    Just over halfway through @therealmargaretatwood’s gorgeous fictional telling of the Canadian true crime story – the 1843 murders of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery. Flashing forward and back, featuring quotes from publishing’s at the time, Atwood weaves a true Victorian tapestry of Canada, and it’s prejudices. Reading in much the same way as Canadian books…

  • I might be a weird mom…

    I am the mom who goes to the grocery store in a TARDIS onesie; the one who doesn’t always brush her own hair, let alone ensure my kids are in matching socks; the one that tells her son that the reason he feels embarrassed to get a manicure is toxic masculinity, and sticks him in…

  • Reminiscing

    2 weeks ago today, I discovered heaven on earth at #TheMorgan #manhattan #kalidesautelsreads #books #nyc #newyork #bookstagram via @RiplApp #travel #travelling #travelust #away #book #bookshelf #library #museum #blogger #blog #followforfollow #follow4follow #follow

  • Legendary Ladies by Ann Shen

    We are big fans of @anndanger’s artwork in this house, and this little lady was happy to see Ann Shen’s new book Legendary Ladies arrive in the mail today! #annshen #legendaryladies #goddess #goddesses #myths #myth #daughter #learn #ladies #feminist #feminism #feministkids #momlife #mom #love #lovemykid #mykid #bookstagram #book #books #read #reads #readers #reader #raiseareader #teachemyoung…

  • Midweek

    Midweek – my kid is sick. My computer wants to keep updating. My coffee pot overflowed. BUT – I am working in my Jammies. My house is quiet. And I’ve Rosie to keep me encouraged. How is your week going?? #work #wednesday #coffee #rosie #rosietheriveter #mug #muglove #inspire #inspo #wecandoit #butfirstcoffee #jammies #pjday #blogger #blog…

  • 95 Followers to go until our 1st giveaway!!!!!

    Less than 100 followers to go before our first Bookish giveaway!!! Simply follow @kalidesautelsreads, like one of the giveaway posts and tag a friend!! Ready to win??? #giveaway #1000 #follow #followers #kalidesautelsreads via @RiplApp #followforfollow #follow4follow #bookstagram #books #bookstagrammer #read #reading #blog #blogger #win #winner #tag #tagsomeone #bookish #booknerd

  • Shoes of the day

    I like wearing subtle footwear that does not draw attention. For tips on monochromatic style selections, please get in touch… 🤪 👠 #ootd #shoes #pink #fluorescent #neon #neonpink #heels #notsubtle #work #workday #workwear #walk #blog #blogger #style #fashion #followforfollow #follow #follow4follow #kalidesautelsreads

  • Time With Kids

    On a rainy Sunday, yoga, sushi and time with my kids is the best way to spend the day. #yoga #kids #sushi #familyday #weekend #kalidesautelsreads #SundayFunday via @RiplApp #pokemon #ash #hat #mykids #kiddos #momlife #mommy #rainysunday #rainy #rainydays #love #followforfollow #follow4follow #follow

  • This Year, I Learned That I Don’t Hate Poetry.

    “The teacher said silence is golden/I said silence is bronze, at best” – Andrea Gibson Take Me With You I fantasized about being a poet. I dreamed that I had a poetic bone. I read and read and read and read and hoped to fall in love with the poetic word, as I loved the…