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!
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 if I am just lazy, but either way, I have accomplished nothing all weekend and now it is over. So instead of feeling guilty, I am taking the above advice and not “shoulding all over” myself. I’ll just get the rest that I need and go from there.
📚 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.
If you’re a fan of memoirs that make you reflect on your own life while connecting to someone else’s journey, this one is for you. Highly, highly recommend adding this to your reading list—you won’t regret it.
Have you read it yet? Let me know your thoughts below! 👇
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, loving, and guided by the strongest moral compass. You stand up for what’s right, show compassion to everyone around you, and bring so much joy and light into the world.
Beyond all of that, you are so cool. Truly one of the coolest people I know. Your unique perspective and brilliant mind inspire me every day. I am endlessly proud of you and endlessly grateful to be your mom.
Seventeen years of loving you has been the greatest gift, and I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds. I love you more than words can say. 💖
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 mom and aunt, but one of the best people I know.
Thank you for always coming up with the most fun and creative ideas—and for making sure my family and I are part of them. You make life so much brighter, and I love you more than words can say. Here’s to celebrating YOU today and every day! 💕
2024 has been a whirlwind of memories, milestones, and magic. From family moments and cherished traditions to unforgettable experiences with friends, this reel captures it all in just 70 snapshots.
🎥 Press play to relive the laughter, the love, and the moments that made this year so special. 💫
Here’s to celebrating every little thing that brought joy in 2024—and to making 2025 even more unforgettable. ✨
I’m flying through the final book of the Throne of Glass series, and I’m so happy to have Aelin back as the main character. After struggling through Tower of Dawn (sorry, Chaol, but a whole book about your healing journey was just… too much), Kingdom of Ash feels like the epic finale I’ve been waiting for. I love catching up with all the characters and seeing their stories weave together again—it’s everything I hoped for and more. ✨
The goal? Finish this book before midnight tomorrow, which would mean I’ve officially read the entire Maas-verse in 2024. Here’s to an epic finish! 💪📚
As 2024 comes to a close, I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to everyone who followed, liked, commented, and supported me this year. These are my top 9 posts of 2024, and looking back, they show the moments and messages that resonated most with you—whether it was mental health awareness, nostalgia, humor, or a glimpse into my personal life.
Each interaction has reminded me of the incredible connections we’ve built here. Your support means the world, and I’m so grateful to share this space with you. Here’s to continuing to grow, laugh, reflect, and support one another in 2025. 💖
What was your favorite moment from this year? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Here’s a caption and hashtags for your Instagram post featuring this quote:
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Altshuler
This quote is such a powerful reminder that while we can’t slow down time, we do have the power to steer our own journey. Life is fleeting, but every day gives us the chance to choose our path, take control, and create moments that truly matter. Let’s embrace 2025 with intention, courage, and the realization that we’re in charge of our destiny.
What will you choose to pilot in your life this year? 🚀
Drove 5 hours today to help my kiddo see their girlfriend—because love knows no distance, right? 💕 But let me tell you, my sciatica is not feeling the romance. 😅 Sitting for that long was a big “nope” from my back.
Guess it’s true what they say: no good deed goes unpunished! 🥴 Time to break out the heating pad and find a comfy spot to recover.
Worth it? Always. Regret it? Only when I stand up. 😉
Butterflies resonate with me, and this new year I am heading into 2025 with them in mind. 🦋 They remind me of transformation, resilience, and embracing the beauty of change. Here’s to spreading our wings, taking flight, and creating something beautiful in the year ahead.
Kali J Desautels 