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!
The only way to unpack my white privilege is to gain perspective from people of colour who suffer because of it. Social equity starts with looking in the mirror and acknowledging our contribution to inequity. As a white, cisgender, heteronormative, Western/Anglo-Christian Feminist, it is my duty to pull back these veils and to fight for intersectionality. I encourage everyone to do the same. @renieddolodge #whyimnolongertalkingtowhitepeopleaboutrace #whiteprivilege #privilege #intersectionalfeminism #intersectionality #intersectional #feminism #feminist #blacklivesmatter #equity #social #justice #travelreading #read #reading #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookish #kalidesautelsreads #followback #follow #discussion
Today, a little girl was the most mature woman in the world. Allow me to rephrase – the most mature person in the world. Emma González, a high school senior, stopped the world for 6 minutes and 30 seconds. Between her impassioned words and her silence heard ’round the world, Ms. González said more than any adult in America today. March For Our Lives, a global protest of gun violence and the epidemic that is mass shootings in the United States of America, took place today, as children took to the streets all over the world to demand their basic human right to life. As is our wont, humanity has shown itself to be divided on the issue of gun control, with a faction on the side of control, and a faction on the side of the “right” to bear arms. In my heart of hearts, I truly, concretely believe that the right to live outweighs the right to own a weapon that can cause such devastation. I do not intend to debate gun control, versus banning guns, versus the freedom to treat every problem like a showdown at the OK Corral. I simply want to state that I hope that one day, I can grow up to be half as brave, half as strong, half as fierce and half as brilliant as a young woman half my age. Thank you, Emma González, for taking to task those who do not care to protect you; do not take the time to understand that the gun lobby does not deserve your sympathy; thank you for your bravery, and thank you for stopping the conversation for 6 minutes and 39 seconds so that the world stopped to hear you. And I sincerely hope that we all heard her loud and clear.
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Today, children across North America are marching in protest of the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. In solidarity, we support and join them in their desire to take guns out of the hands of other children. #oneless #kalidesautelsreads via @RiplApp #protect #kids #resist #persist #marchforourlives #womensmarch #solidarity #endgunviolence #guncontrol #stop #protest #change
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Following @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine advice, I picked up Brené Brown’s newest book Braving the Wilderness. Part memoir, part self-actualization book, Brown wrote about her childhood, and disappointments and traumas that led her to a life she was not content to have. Using the wilderness as when one is alone in their opinion, but stands by their values, regardless of their fears or potential repercussion. She discusses the value in standing by one’s beliefs, even if the opinion is unpopular, and one fears losing friends due to them. She writes that by hiding our values and likes from the world, we are denying our friends and family our true selves and not inviting them to get to know us.
She talks about how she raises her children to brave the wilderness and that there are amazing, wonderful people in the wilderness if we allow ourselves to stand out there. (208 pgs)
It is a beautiful, sunny Friday in Vancouver! In honour of the impending St Patrick’s Day Festivities, I will be sitting in the sunshine, reading my favourite Irish author, Maeve Brennan, drinking a glass of white wine and enjoying this early spring!
I have a habit of writing down quotes that I read or hear that speak to me. This one has been on the top of my tongue all day, and it was exactly what I was looking for all day. My #WomanCrushWednesday is the amazing Anna Quindlen with her brilliant words of bravery and inspiration. #KaliDesautelsReads #WisdomWednesday #WordsOfWednesday via @RiplApp #wcw #womencrushwednesday #inspirationalquotes #inspiration #inspirational #adventure #selfinterest #fear #nofear @anna.quindlen #author #women #woman #writer #writers #blog #blogger #blogging #inspo
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Midweek push! When you feel paralyzed, frustrated and afraid, take a deep breath and bring in courage. You are incredible, and don’t forget it. Be fierce!
I am so excited to be 124 followers away from MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!! Ready for some bookish prizes?? To win, simply TAG a friend, FOLLOW my page and LIKE one of the 4 giveaway posts!! #kalidesautelsreads #giveaway #1000followers via @RiplApp #blogger #blog #followforfollow #follow #follow4follow #read #bookstagram #books #bookish #book #review #feminist #prize #fun #almost #read #reading #bibliophile
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Kali J Desautels 