Through a series of blog posts, on her nominally successful site, KaliDesautelsReads, over 3 years, Kali Desautels has worked through depression, anxiety, marriage, an ongoing obsession with books and a rather hippie-dippy style of parenting two kids, and making friends with her raggedy old cat. How Not To Blog is one part memoir, one part opinion essays, and two parts the meandering thoughts of a woman who is trying to find her way. Kali has spent the majority of her writing career bringing honesty and advocacy to her blog readers, for better or for worse.
Through a series of blog posts, on her nominally successful site, KaliDesautelsReads, over 3 years, Kali Desautels has worked through depression, anxiety, marriage, an ongoing obsession with books and a rather hippie-dippy style of parenting two kids, and making friends with her raggedy old cat. How Not To Blog is one part memoir, one part opinion essays, and two parts the meandering thoughts of a woman who is trying to find her way. Kali has spent the majority of her writing career bringing honesty and advocacy to her blog readers, for better or for worse.
Hey everybody,
You know that dream that you hold in your heart forever, and are kind of afraid that it wonāt ever come true? Well, you are holding mine. I have wanted toā be a writerā since I was a little girl and learned that these magical things were written by real humans. My childhood heroines were all writers ā Jo March from Little Women, Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls from the Little House books. As I grew older, my inspiration continued to be found in works by women who wrote everything down, and sent it out into the world, hoping for an audience. Joan Didion, Maeve Brennan, Toni Morrison, Hope Jahren, Rachel Hollis, Maya Angelou, BrenĆ© Brown, Gloria Steinem, Caitlin Moran, Zadie Smith, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Lindy West... I could write an entire book that is essential a list of amazing women who write amazing books.
How Not to Blog is exactly that ā what you should not do if you are wanting to build a following. My posts are any length that I decide to make them. They take you through obsessive loves for things like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Sherlock; my work in advocating for mental health; career changes; my marriage; my freaking amazing kids; my cranky cat; my incredible friends; my beautiful, funny, wildly unique family; and most of all, they are just me. My thoughts in the world.
So, if you are reading this book because you are looking for a great guide for how to start a blog, I am sorry to say that this is not it. But if you are looking for a friend who loves you and is honest, even when itās hard, come on in. I think we will get along just fine!
Love, Kali
P.S. itās pronounced Kaylee, not Callie. I swear.
This collection of Kaliās blog posts reads like a personal essay collection. The pieces are of varying lengths and include some photos. Topics range from writing to book reviews, to sexism, to motherhood, to chronic illness and everything in between. Her writing is honest and fluid, following one line of thinking, coming back and then following another.Ā
With each post, Kali is figuring out who she is, as a reader and writer, as a wife and mother, as a woman in the world. At times I felt like I was reading a letter from a close friend. Kali shares her experiences and opinions boldly. Wherever the tone of the pieces varied, from casual to angry to sad to joyful, I went right with her.Ā
While chronicling her life as a mother with chronic health issues both physical and mental, she touches on whatever is going on in the world at the time. From Motherās Day to 9/11 to COVID, Kaliās emotions and opinions are pouring onto the page.Ā
This book will touch on all of your emotions, youāll laugh and cry and get pissed off. When Kaliās husband is diagnosed with cancer, she shares freely what the experience is like for her family. The book is a recourse guide at times, as she lists organizations that provide support not only in regard to cancer but also mental health and other issues in her region of Canada.Ā
While Kali is sharing her experiences, this is also a book that reminds readers they arenāt alone. I can see why she has such a following on her blog, as her writing promotes discussion and connection.Ā
I most appreciated Kaliās candid tone throughout the book. This is her, take it or leave it! And even while I didnāt always agree with her opinions, I admired her for putting them into the world. Readers of personal essay and memoir will enjoy this book.Ā