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!
Today we celebrated the retirement of one of my favourite humans. Maria is strong and funny and fearless and whimsical and fabulous. She introduced me to her favourite Schitt’s Creek character Moira Rose.
In honour of her very near departure, I pulled out all the stops for my Moira Rose cosplay. For the woman who doesn’t love dressing up, comes a woman who can’t get enough of it.
Can you name the pieces and what the represent?
“What you did was impulsive, capricious, and melodramatic… but it was also wrong!” ~ Moira Rose
“Who knows what will befall us tomorrow? You could be hit by a Mack truck or bopped on the head by a tiny piece of space debris!” ~ Moira Rose
Posted @withregram • @tiachuchas How does one even begin to capture the essence and beauty of the amazing bell hooks?
bell hooks work is as powerful as it is compassionate and full of love. As an author, professor, feminist, and social activist she inspired many of us to do work that centers on community. ❤️
Repost from @indigenouspeoplesmovement • “True resistance begins with people confronting pain…and wanting to do something to change it.”
In this short meditation on the craft of writing, Annie Dillard includes short essays on her experience as a writer. Similar to Stephen King’s On Writing, Dillard wrote a beautiful book that can apply to any creative endeavour.
Her writing reinforces the adage that writing is ‘as easy as that, and as hard as that.’ She writes in a beautiful poetic non-fiction prose, which is so elegant and accessible to the reader.
This review is going to be remarkably short, because the book is only 100 pages, but I feel that this book would make the perfect holiday gift to any writers, people who are curious about the art of writing, or anyone who lives/dreams to live their creative life out loud.
Dillard discusses about how she has different needs for her writing than other writers, including her own husband. She discusses that as much as she loves writing, she also loathes it. She discusses her artistic processes, and describes her environment in such a rich way that when she speaks of writing on the cold beach of an island in the Haida Gwaii, you can nearly feel the cold, salty air on your face.
I recommend this highly to anyone, but especially those with an artistic bent to their lives.
Hey! It’s been a minute since I introduced myself, so I thought I would do that today!
My name is Kali, pronounced like Kay-Lee, not like Kah-Lee.
I am a mom to a 13 year old human and an 11 year old human, a 17 year old cat, and a 1 year old puppy.
My husband and I have been married for 15 years, and together for 22 years. We met when he was in my brother’s kindergarten class. I am 18 months older than he is.
I am a writer by trade and a reader for fun. I work in non-profit for the biggest cancer charity in Canada.
Due to long-term health and mental health issues, this blog is a space for advocating and normalizing invisible illness and mental health.
I have written a book (link in my bio – it’s on 50% off for the holiday season!!), contributed to another (link in my bio… all proceeds go to @blmcanada and @blmlosangeles), have been a contributor to @themightysite on several occasions, write a blog (link in my bio), host a podcast (link in my bio) and review books to help you fill your TBR pile.
Thank you so much for stopping by and I can’t wait to get to know you better!!
If you go to the link in my bio between now and Boxing Day, you can get a copy of my book, “how not to blog” from Amazon.com, for 50% off while supplies last! #sale #hownottoblog #onsale #linkinbio #onsalenow #christmasgifts #mybook #fypchallenge
Can we make Mom-Monday a thing?? 4 years ago today, my mommy and I got to see the admirable @hillaryclinton on her book tour in Vancouver. No matter what, my mom loves me and enthusiastically supports my love of politics and books and everything else that makes me smile!
I am so grateful that we got that time together and as always, we had such a great time.
Repost – I am so excited to see Hillary Clinton today!! A living, feminist pioneer. A political icon. An author. Amazing. Thanks Mom!! This is fully worth a day off work in the middle of the week!
Kali J Desautels 